WD2000: Rows or Columns Missing from Pasted Microsoft Excel Worksheet (211217)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q211217

SYMPTOMS

If you use the Paste or Paste link command to paste a large Microsoft Excel worksheet within a Microsoft Word document, Word may not include all the columns or rows of the worksheet.

CAUSE

By design, when you use the Paste or Paste link command to paste a worksheet in a format other than Unformatted Text or Unformatted Unicode Text, Word may cut off the columns and rows that exceed the margins of the current page.

In other words, if you paste the worksheet in any of the following formats, Word may cut off any columns and rows that exceed the right or bottom margins:
  • Microsoft Excel 5.0 Worksheet Object
  • Rich Text Format (RTF)
  • Picture
  • Bitmap
  • Picture (Enhanced Metafile)
  • HTML Format
A "picture" and the presentation of an embedded object are Windows metafiles. The Windows operating system limits the height and width of a Windows metafile. Microsoft Excel sets the height and width of the picture or object presentation by using the Microsoft Excel page size at 100-percent zoom.

If the selection in Microsoft Excel exceeds approximately 20 columns (the default width) or approximately 75 rows, the resulting picture will not reflect the entire selection. Word will scale the picture when it is pasted into the document so it may appear that there is room on the page to accommodate a larger picture.

WORKAROUND

If your Microsoft Excel worksheet exceeds the margins of your current page and you do not want Word to cut off any columns or rows, use one of the following methods:

Method 1: Change the Margins

If the worksheet fits on the current page but not within the margins, you may be able to paste the entire worksheet as an object by decreasing the margin settings for that section.

For example, if Word is cutting off only one column of your worksheet, change the left and right margins from 1.25-inch to 0.5-inch, using the following steps:
  1. On the File menu, click Page Setup.
  2. On the Margins tab, change the Left and Right boxes to 0.5".
  3. Click OK.

Method 2: Paste (or Paste Link) as Unformatted Text

  1. On the Edit menu, click Paste Special.
  2. In the As box, select Unformatted Text.
  3. Select the Paste or Paste link option, and then click OK.
  4. Select the pasted text.
  5. On the Table menu, point to Convert and click Text to Table.
  6. In the Convert Text to Table dialog box, make sure the Number of columns is set to the correct number of columns that are in your Excel worksheet and click OK.

    NOTE: Word should automatically recognize the number of columns in your Excel worksheet, because each column is separated by a tab when you paste the text into your Word document. If the number of columns (tabs) exceeds 63, Word displays the following error message when you click OK:
    The number must be between 1 and 63.

Method 3: Reduce the Font or Point Size in Microsoft Excel

To work around this problem, use a different font or point size in your Microsoft Excel sheet.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/6/2000
Keywords:kbinterop kbprb KB211217
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