applying formatting changes the whole document

[Guest]

Several weeks ago when I attempted to use bullets on a particular paragraph,
the entire document changed to bullets. I went through several steps,
including looking to see if I had unknowingly changed something in Tools |
Options, or on the AutoCorrect menu and could find nothing new. No matter
what I did, I could not get bullets to apply to just the selected text. I
looked at the style format, I looked at reveal formatting and I could not see
anything wrong. Being in the middle of finishing two papers with deadlines, I
punted and did not use bullets.
Now, when I select a word or sentence to apply underlining, the same thing
happens. The whole document becomes formatted with underlining. I can't get
it to just underline where I want.
I have up-to-date antivirus software, have scanned my system and verified
that I do not have a virus.
I have been using Word for many years and previously considered myself an
expert, but I am stumped with this problem.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Margaret Aldis]

You have one or more styles set to "Automatically update". See here:

http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/Formatting/WholeDocumentReformatted.htm

 

[Guest]

Margaret,
Thank you for the speedy info. I followed the instructions, it worked great
for the formatting, but it still does not work for the numbering or bullets.
I will search deeper in those FAQs.

 

[Margaret Aldis]

OK, there is another possibility for bullets, which is that the default
bullet format is linked to your Normal style. To sort that one, you need to
use Format > Bullets and Numbering and Reset the panes.