WD98: Subdocuments Lost When Master Document Saved in HTML (181885)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q181885

SYMPTOMS

If you open or create a master document containing subdocuments, and save it in HTML format, when the master document is re-opened, the subdocuments will be missing.

CAUSE

HTML does not support the master document feature. The text and formatting of the master document is retained, but the subdocuments are not converted.

WORKAROUND

Before saving the master document in HTML format, collapse the subdocuments into the master document by following these steps:

  1. Make sure the master document is open and view it in master document view.
  2. Click a subdocument and click the Remove Subdocument button on the Master Document toolbar.

    This will collapse the subdocument into the master document while retaining the formatting.
  3. Repeat step 2 for each subdocument.
  4. Save the document in HTML format.
If the master document has already been saved in HTML format and if you do not have a copy of the master document before the save, follow these steps:

  1. Open the new HTML version of the master document.
  2. Position the insertion point where you want to insert the first subdocument.
  3. On the Insert menu, click File.
  4. Under List Files Of Type, click All Files.
  5. Click the HTML version of the first subdocument.

    For more information about how Word will name the subdocuments if they do not already have a name, see the "More Information" section of this article.
  6. Repeat steps 1-5 for the other subdocuments.
  7. Save the master document (in HTML format).

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

When you save a master document in HTML format, Word will attempt to convert and save the master document in HTML format. It will also attempt to convert each individual subdocument in HTML format and save it as a separate file.

If the subdocument has been previously saved and has a name, Word will display a dialog box giving you the option to overwrite the file with the new format (HTML) or to save the HTML version of the file with a new name.

If the subdocument has not been previously saved, and therefore does not have a name, Word will automatically save the subdocument in HTML format in the same directory as the master document. Word will give the subdocument a name based on the first line of text in the subdocument.

REFERENCES

For more information on features that are unavailable when you work with HTML documents, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

157477 WD97: Features Not Available During Web Authoring

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/21/2005
Keywords:kbbug KB181885
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