PUB2002: Unwanted Arrowhead Formatting Appears on Bracket or Callout AutoShapes (279366)

SYMPTOMS

When you draw brackets, lines, callouts, or certain other AutoShapes, you may notice strange formatting, specifically arrows or dots at the ends of the lines in these AutoShapes.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if you change the default Begin style or End style settings for an AutoShape and then select the Default for new objects check box in the Format AutoShape dialog box.

The Format AutoShape settings affect all AutoShapes. The Begin Style and Ends style settings affect open lines (as opposed to closed shapes such as circles or squares). Brackets and callouts are affected by changes to these settings, even though brackets and callouts do not normally require arrowhead formatting.

RESOLUTION

To format your new line objects so that they do not include Begin style or End style settings, modify the Begin style and End style settings in the Format AutoShape dialog box.

With any AutoShape line, bracket, or callout selected, click AutoShape on the Format menu.
In the Format AutoShape dialog box, click the Colors and Lines tab. Click the arrow to the right of the Begin style box and the arrow to the right of the End style box, and select settings for your AutoShape with no arrowhead.
Click to select the Default for new objects check box, and then click OK.