WD2000: Can't Redefine Normal Style from Style Box (212253)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000

This article was previously published under Q212253

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Style box on the Formatting toolbar to redefine the Normal style, Word applies the Normal style that you previously defined to selected text. Word does not prompt you to redefine the Normal style and overwrites any formatting changes you applied to the text.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when you use the following steps:
  1. Select text to which you applied the Normal style.
  2. Apply new formatting to the text.
  3. Click the Style box on the Formatting toolbar and press ENTER.
Word does not allow you to redefine the Normal style from the Style box. This functionality is different from versions of Word earlier than Word 97.

NOTE: This behavior does not occur when you use the Style box to modify other styles in Word.

WORKAROUND

To redefine the Normal style, follow these steps:
  1. On the Format menu, click Style.
  2. In the Styles box, click to select Normal and click Modify.
  3. Click to select the Add to template check box if you want to permanently redefine the Normal style.
  4. Click Format, and then click the attribute, such as Font or Paragraph, that you want to change.
  5. Click OK twice.
  6. Click Close.

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior is a design change that is intended to reduce problems associated with modifying the Normal style. Because most of the default styles, including the Header, Footer, Footnote Text, Heading styles, and so on, are based on the Normal style, when you redefine the Normal style, all of these styles are also redefined.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/6/2000
Keywords:kbprb kbusage KB212253