WD97: Master Document Toolbar Buttons Grayed in Master Document (157559)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q157559

SYMPTOMS

When you reopen a saved master document, the following buttons on the Master Document toolbar are dimmed or unavailable:

  • Create Subdocument
  • Remove Subdocument
  • Insert Subdocument
  • Merge Subdocument
  • Split Subdocument
  • Lock Subdocument (If insertion point is within a subdocument)

CAUSE

This behavior is by design in Microsoft Word.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use the following appropriate methods for your situation.

Method 1: Expand the Subdocuments

You are viewing the master document in collapsed view. Expand the subdocuments in the active master document by clicking the Expand Subdocuments button on the Master Document toolbar.

Method 2: Unlock the Subdocuments

The subdocuments are expanded but locked. Unlock the subdocuments by clicking within the subdocument and press the Lock Document button on the Master Document toolbar.

MORE INFORMATION

When you reopen an existing master document, you are in collapsed view. In collapsed view, instead of seeing the contents of the subdocuments, you will see the file name and path of each subdocument. To work with subdocuments you must first expand them.

If the subdocuments are also locked, you must unlock them before you can make changes. You cannot edit a locked subdocument in the master document, and when you open a locked subdocument in its own window, it opens as read- only. A locked subdocument is indicated by a small lock figure under the subdocument icon to the left of the subdocument.

REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

114432 WD: Troubleshooting Guide: File Locking in Master Documents

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2000
Keywords:kbprb kbualink97 KB157559
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.