Courier New character/space alignment

[Kris]

I created a form in a previous version of Word. The form is used for
creating print and screen layouts for RPG programming. The font I am using
is Courier New. Each line has a field with a specific number of characters
allowed (80, 132, or 198). I have lines of numbers across the top of the
document, so that I can determine the exact position of each character in the
field.

When I open the document in Word 2007, the spaces between the characters no
longer use the same amount of space as the characters do, so the text in the
field is no longer in alignment with the numbers.

The lines of numbers also do not line up with each other. The first line
has nine spaces and a 1, another nine spaces and a 2, etc. The second line
has 12345678901234567890, etc. (see example below) with the intention of the
1 from the first line to be directly above the first 0 in the second line,
the 2 above the second 0, etc. across the form. In Word 2007, the number
lines with spaces do not line up with the number lines that do not have
spaces.

Line 1 1 2 3 4
Line 2 1234567890123456789012345678901234567890

I also have a series of vertical lines that are grouped together on the form
to mark every 10 spaces. These lines print in a different position than is
shown in the form.

How do I get everything in alignment in the form and when it is printed?

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Have you confirmed that everything in the form is still in Courier New?

 

[Kris]

Yes, everything in the existing form is still in Courier New. I also created
a new form in Word 2007 using Courier New. Both forms have the same results,
the characters do not line up vertically.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I assume this is true even in Print Preview and that it also prints out of
alignment? If it displays incorrectly but prints correctly, there is an
option that might make a difference: Office Button | Word Options | Advanced
| Display: Optimize character positioning for layout rather than
readability.

 

[Kris]

The optimize option works - everything is now lined up on the screen and in
the print. Thank you

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Great! I'm glad I remembered that option. I haven't been able to see any
difference in the setting in my (so far very simple) docs, so I wasn't sure
it would be relevant.