WD: Cannot Replace with Text Containing Superscript/Subscript (167210)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0a
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0c
  • Microsoft Word for Windows NT 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95 7.0a
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh 6.0.1
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh 6.0.1a
  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q167210

SYMPTOMS

When you try to use the Replace command on the Edit menu to replace text that contains subscripted or superscripted characters (for example to replace H2O so that it contains a subscript 2), the superscript or subscript formatting is lost.

CAUSE

Text pasted into the Replace With box is pasted as plain text (with no formatting).

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, follow these steps:
  1. In the document, create a sample of the text containing the necessary formatting. For example, create the word "H2O" with the 2 formatted as a subscript character.
  2. Select the sample text. Then, on the Edit menu, click Copy.
  3. On the Edit menu, click Replace.
  4. In the Find What box, type the text to be replaced.

    In this example, you want to replace all instances of H2O with the sample you created with the subscript 2. So, you would type H2O in the Find What box.
  5. In the Replace With box, type ^c (with a lowercase c). The ^ symbol is the caret symbol. To create this character, press SHIFT+6.
  6. Click Replace or Replace All.

    The replacement text will be inserted from the Clipboard and will have the correct formatting.
NOTE: This technique can also be used to replace plain text with symbols, graphics, or anything contained on the Clipboard. "^c" is a control code that can be used only in the Replace With box to replace the selected text with the Clipboard contents.

MORE INFORMATION

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

95474 WD: Control Codes to Use with Search and Replace (Edit Menu)

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/17/2005
Keywords:kbformat kbhowto KB167210
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