Document Loses Style

[RJB]

I have several documents I created in a specific template. (Let's call it
ABC.dot).

I've copied the documents to a USB stick, but my machine HAS a PERFECT copy
of ABC.dot on it.

When I open the docs, SOME features of the Styles have remained, but not
all. When I look at the Style window, it shows that I am "Normal + Right:
0.5", Before: 10 pt", when it SHOULD be a specific named Style.

The named Style IS there - when I select it, or hit the shortcut key, it
reformats the paragraph. BUT WHY DID THE TEXT LOSE THE STYLE???!?

And how can I fix it? (Doing a Find/Replace on paragraph attributes doesn't
work).

When I go to Tools=>Templates, it shows that I am attached to the correct
(ABC.dot).



I feel that I haven't articulated this problem well... But it sure is
annoying!

 

[CyberTaz]

Are you perhaps opening the docs directly from the USB stick? If so that
could very well be the cause of the problem... devices of that nature are
great for transporting & storing files but should *never* be used for
working purposes. Copy one of the "problem" files back to the HD & see if it
displays the same problem when you open it.

If that's not the case, what you describe indicates that the styled content
has been reformatted directly in one or more ways that deviate from the
style definition. That isn't something that arbitrarily happens unless the
file or something about it is corrupt. The cause as well as the fix may vary
depending on version of Word, which you neglected to mention. Provide
complete descriptions of the styles you've defined including what styles
they're based on, how you created them plus any other details along with
your version.

BTW: Templates are a tool that dictate the specs for a *new* file when it's
created. Once the new file is generated it doesn't maintain any connection
to the template from which it was created - Otherwise you'd have to send a
copy of the template along with every copy of the file you distribute in
order for the recipient to open it.

 

[RJB]

I AM running off the stick, so that may be the issue.

It's a work laptop and a personal document, so I keep those off the HD. (The
template is on the HD). It's more of a political thing than a policy thing
(if I copy the file over to the HD, the corporate backup program
automatically picks it up... And backs it up. If I keep it on the stick, that
doesn't happen.)

I copied a file back to the HD, and it still has the same issue.

Basically, I created a file using the ABC.dot template. In it, I used a
named style - Let's say it was called "SPEAKER" and it was indented 2.5",
Space Before: 10 pt.

So, when I opened up the doc, I'd expect it to still be "SPEAKER" style,
instead it read: "NORMAL + Left: 2.5" + Space Before: 10 pt.".

So the doc still LOOKS right. But if I decide I want all Speakers to be
indented 2.3 instead of 2.5, I can't just change the Style Sheet, I need to
go to each line.

(Yes, for some reason, Find/Replace gives me ZERO finds.)

Thanks!

 

[CyberTaz]

Well, apparently the template is doing its job & the style is being included
when the new doc is created. I have a strong feeling that the problem may be
due to working directly on the stick. To quote a very reliable source:

"When Word opens a document for editing, it opens up to 26 temporary files:
some on the USB key, some on the machine's local hard disk, and some in
memory.

If anything interrupts the connection while the file is open, a completely
lost document is one of a range of possible results. It's just not safe
"

That was in reply to a very similar situation. It sounds as if the
formatting is going into effect when you apply the style but the
"connection" between the style & the text you're applying it to isn't being
hooked up as it should. If this is on a laptop is there any possibility that
you can disconnect from the network for a bit?