RE: Preplexing MS Word Style Problem

["Karen Murri" <kmurri -at- comcast -dot- net>]

 The site Tammy gave will probably help a lot.

I always avoid attaching a template to an existing document because I can't
control the oddities that already exist in the original. 

I start from a clean template and paste the text unformatted and then
reformat it with my styles. Even though it sounds like it'd take longer,
because of the kind of stuff you're encountering, it usually ends up taking
less time. As a bonus, you've got a clean document that you can trust not to
freak on you.

Good luck,
-Karen

-----Original Message-----
Caroline Anne Richardson
Subject: Preplexing MS Word Style Problem

Hi Folks,

Upon recently changing jobs, I have also changed authoring tools from Adobe
FrameMaker to Microsoft Word 2003. While familiar with Word, I am finding
myself inevitably vexed by the Styles tool, which I am slowly becoming
re-familiar with after so much time in Frame. *sob*

Here is my specific problem.

I have created a .dot file with the styles for my documentation. Looks
snazzy, I'm happy with it. I've used it several times with no problem. I
have attached this .dot file to the document I am currently creating. So
far, so good. Some tweaking, but its Word, I have to allow for some
*grumble* weirdness.

However, I have noticed that every time I save and close this document, then
re-open it, two of the styles (namely both Outline Heading styles) revert to
an indent and tab stop I did not specify in the .dot file. I have repeatedly
changed the style back to its original (in the document, not the template),
with several options turned on or off, and get the same result each time I
re-open the (re-saved) document. Specifically, I have:

- Ensured that the style is not based on another style.
- Ensured that the following style is a body text style which has straight
forward formatting (no bullets or indents)
- Ensured that the style is updated in the template attached to the
document. (clicked yon left-side "Add to template" check box in Modify)
- Checked/Not checked the Automatically Update box, with no change in effect
either way.

Of course, there are other weirdness factors associated with this template I
have created. If I want to auto-number, it automatically assumes a Level 1
Outline Heading and goes all wonky. I also have issues with bulleted
lists... but this is nothing new to Word.

I implore you fine writerly folk out there to send me a nugget or two about
where I may be formatting wrong within my styles. I may yet redo the .dot
and re-apply it to the document to see if it works... Saving that, I may
break down and buy a good "Learn Word 2003" book. Any recommendations?

Thank you for your time and brain cycles, I look forward to your replies.

~Caroline A. Richardson
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