WD97: "_Underline_" AutoFormat Option Applies Italic (167959)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q167959

SYMPTOMS

When you use the "*Bold* and _underline_ with real formatting" AutoFormat option, any text preceded and followed by an underscore character has italic applied instead of an underline.

NOTE: This problem does not occur in Microsoft Word 2000.

CAUSE

The "*Bold* and _underline_ with real formatting" options on both the "AutoFormat As You Type" and the AutoFormat tabs are incorrectly labeled. The correct labeling should be "*Bold* and _italic_ with real formatting." To locate the "AutoFormat As You Type" and AutoFormat tabs, click AutoCorrect on the Tools menu.

The ToolTip is also incorrectly labeled for this feature. To locate the ToolTip, on either of the "AutoFormat As You Type" or AutoFormat tabs, right-click the "*Bold* and _underline_ with real formatting" option, and then click What's This? on the shortcut menu.

MORE INFORMATION

The "*Bold* and _underline_ with real formatting" AutoFormat feature uses two character styles to do the formatting.

  • The *Bold* AutoFormat uses the Strong character style.

    -and-
  • The _Underline_ AutoFormat uses the Emphasis character style.
By default, the Strong style is "Default Paragraph Font + Bold," and the Emphasis style is "Default Paragraph Font + Italic." Because these styles are customizable, you can change the format of the Emphasis style from italic to underline.

To change Emphasis style to underline:

  1. On the Format menu, click Style.
  2. In the List box, click All Styles.
  3. In the Styles list, click Emphasis, and then click Modify.
  4. In the Modify Style dialog box, click to select the Add To Template check box, click Format, and then click Font.
  5. In the Font dialog box, click the Font tab.
  6. In the Font Style list, click Regular, and in the Underline box, click Single.
  7. Click OK twice, and then click Close to return to your document.
After following these steps, Microsoft Word automatically underlines your text when you type text preceded and followed by an underscore character.

For more information about the "_underline_" AutoFormat feature, click the Office Assistant, type "AutoFormat as you type," click Search, click to view "What types of automatic changes does Word make," and then click to view "Learn about AutoFormat changes Word makes."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft 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

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

139564 WD97: How to Disable Word AutoFormat Features

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2000
Keywords:kbprb kbusage KB167959
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.