WD: Drawing Objects Lost During Save to HTML (162756)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q162756

SYMPTOMS

Drawing object effects, such as AutoShapes, text boxes, regular drawing objects, and WordArt are lost when you save a Word document as an HTML document.

NOTE: Some Word templates and wizards contain drawing objects that will be lost when the document is saved as HTML.

WORKAROUND

To place a drawing object in an HTML document, follow these steps:

  1. In the HTML document, place the insertion point where you want the new object to appear.
  2. On the Insert menu, click Object, and then click the Create New tab.
  3. Under Object Type, double-click Microsoft Word Picture.
  4. Using the Drawing toolbar, insert and format the drawing objects you want.
  5. When you are finished, click "Close & Return to <Document name>" on the File menu
  6. Save and close the HTML document, and then reopen it by selecting the document from the list at the bottom of the File menu.
  7. When you close this document, the objects will be saved as Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)images named Image.gif, Image2.gif, and so on.

Notes

  • You cannot edit pictures in an HTML document. If you double-click a picture in an HTML document, you receive the following error message:
    You cannot edit a picture that is not saved in the document
  • The options for working with drawing objects are available only for Microsoft Word Picture objects.
  • If you apply transparency to drawing objects, these objects are not retained in a GIF image. To turn this setting on when you are inserting a Microsoft Word Document Picture, follow these steps:
    1. On the Drawing toolbar, click Fill Color, and then click More Fill Colors.
    2. Click to select Semitransparent.
  • Microsoft Photo Editor is included with Microsoft Office and can help you create GIF images with transparent areas. Once created, you can then insert those images into your Web page as you would any picture or graphic.
For additional information about the Photo Editor, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

165812 OFF97: Photo Editor Is Not Installed by the ValuPack

STATUS

It is by design that the objects listed in the "Symptoms" section of this article cannot be converted from a Microsoft Word document to an HTML format. For additional information about HTML conversion limitations, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

157086 Limitations of Converting from Word Format to HTML

MORE INFORMATION

Word converts graphics, such as pictures and clip art, to GIF (.gif) format, unless they are already in JPEG (.jpg) format. Drawing objects, such as text boxes and shapes, are not converted. Lines are converted to horizontal rules.

When you save a Word document to HTML format, you will receive the following message:
This document may contain formatting which will be lost upon conversion to HTML document format. To preserve the initial document, click No to exit this dialog, then save the document in Word format before converting.

Continue with save?
For more information about saving documents to HTML, click the Office Assistant, type HTML Picture, click Search, and then click to view the "Learn about working with graphics on Web pages" topic.

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Word Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/4/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB162756
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.