WD: Border Lost from Linked Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet

• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

If you insert a link into a Microsoft Word document from a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet as "Formatted Text(RTF)," and then you apply a border to the linked table, you may lose the border when the link is updated.

CAUSE

Updating the link causes the original spreadsheet format to overwrite the bordered object. The "\* MERGEFORMAT" switch does not preserve the borders.

NOTE: In Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition, inserting a linked field does not put the "\* MERGEFORMAT" switch into the field.

WORKAROUND

Apply the border you want to the Microsoft Excel worksheet before you copy it to the clipboard.

-or-

If a link to a Microsoft Excel worksheet has already been inserted in the Word document, follow these steps:

1. Apply the border you want to the area that is referenced in the link using Microsoft Excel, and then save the workbook.

   NOTE: For Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition, skip to step 3.

2. In versions of Microsoft Word earlier than Word 98 Macintosh Edition, remove the "\* MERGEFORMAT" switch from the LINK field.

   NOTE: To show the field to remove the switch, press ALT+F9 (Windows) or OPTION+F9 (Macintosh). Once the switch is removed, press ALT+F9 (Windows) or OPTION+F9 (Macintosh) to toggle off the field codes.

3. To update the field, place the insertion point into the field and then press F9.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the products listed at the beginning of this article. Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.