WD: Linked Word 97 Object Converted to Link Path and Picture (162693)

SYMPTOMS

In Word 7.0, when you open a Word 97 document that contains a linked document object, both the link path and the picture are displayed.

If you save the document from Word 97 in Word 6.0/95 format, and then open the document in Word 7.0, the link path does not appear and the object type is not retained. If you attempt to edit the object you get the following error message:

Word cannot edit the object.

In either case, if you save the document in Word 7.0, the object becomes an embedded picture.

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

157546 Can't Edit Objects in Converted Word Document

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, choose one of the following methods:

Method 1

Do not select the Link To File check box in the Object dialog box (Insert menu) when you insert the object.

Method 2

From Word 97 save the document using the Word 6.0/95 converter. After you edit the document in Word 7.0, use the Save As command on the File menu, select Word Document in the Save As Type list, and then click OK.

NOTE: If you use the Save command instead of the Save As command, the objects become embedded pictures.

STATUS

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