OFF2000: Words Are Replaced with "X"s When Typing (242043)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft Access 2000
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2000
  • Microsoft Publisher 2000
  • Microsoft Word 2000
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 95
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0

This article was previously published under Q242043

SYMPTOMS

When you type certain words or characters in a Microsoft Office program (such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, or Microsoft PowerPoint), they may be replaced with "X"s.

For example, if you type an inappropriate four-letter word, each letter of the word is replaced with a capital X.

NOTE: This behavior also occurs in Windows accessory programs (such as Microsoft WordPad, Microsoft Notepad, or Microsoft Paint) or any other Microsoft Windows-based program in which you can type text.

CAUSE

This behavior is due to the ChatGard feature of a program called Cyber Patrol, which is published by The Learning Company. This program is designed to replace typed words or characters that may be considered offensive or inappropriate with a string of "X"s.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, please refer to the product documentation about how to turn off this feature, or contact The Learning Company:

The Learning Company
One Athenaeum Street
Cambridge, MA 02477

Main Telephone: (617) 494-1200
Customer Service: (617) 494-5700
Technical Support: (319)247-3333
Fax: (617) 494-1219

Web Address: http://www.learningco.com or http://www.cyberpatrol.com/
E-Mail Address: cust_serv@learningco.com

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

For information about how to contact The Learning Company, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

MORE INFORMATION

ChatGard prevents you from typing specific words, phrases or numbers while logged on to an online service or directly on to the Internet.

ChatGard has the ability to limit you from sending out your name, address and phone number online. You can create a list of words or character strings in ChatGard. Then, when someone types these unwanted words or character strings, ChatGard replaces them with the equivalent number of neutral characters such as XXXXX.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/13/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB242043