Em Dash and Em Space Both Return Same ANSI Values (136396)

SYMPTOMS

When you try to perform a search or search-and-replace operation using a macro or using the character's ANSI character value, Word can't distinguish between the em dash and em space, or the en dash and en space.

CAUSE

The em dash and em space characters both appear to have the same ANSI character value (0151). Likewise, the en dash and en space characters both return the same ANSI character value (0150). This duplication prevents macros from searching or replacing for any of these characters.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Character    Description
   ---------    -----------

   Em dash      A dash that is as wide as the height of the font.
   En dash      A dash that is half as wide as the height of the font.
   Em space     A space that is as wide as the height of the font.
   En space     A space that is half as wide as the height of the font.

You can search for the em and en characters by using a macro routine or using the Word Find or Replace command. However, because both the em characters have an ANSI value of 0151 and both the en characters have an ANSI value of 0150, both characters (the dash and the space) will be found.