WD97: Error Message: This Equation Is the Maximum Size Allowed (185670)

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Word 97, when you open a document that was created in an earlier version of Word and then double-click an equation in that document, the equation may expand to be wider than the physical page width, and the following error message may appear:

This equation is the maximum size allowed. Please save the equation immediately. If you want to continue, you must divide it into smaller pieces.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the equation was created in Equation Editor version 2.x and contains small spaced characters (created by pressing CTRL+ALT+SPACE). When Word 97 opens the equation, Equation Editor version 3.0 converts these special small spaced characters to full-sized spaces. The expanded equation that results may be wider than the physical page width and may cause the error message.

WORKAROUND

To correct the expanded equation, follow these steps:

Open the document in Microsoft Word 97, and double-click the equation.

NOTE: If Microsoft Equation Editor version 3.0 displays the error message stated in the "Symptoms" section, click OK until the message is no longer displayed.
On the Format menu, click Spacing.
Scroll down the list of items, and select Spacing Adjustment.
Change the setting to 40% and click OK.
Click somewhere in the document to close the equation.
On the Edit menu, click Select All.
Press F9 to update all fields in the document, including the equation fields.

NOTE: You can also select and delete the spaces, but depending on the number of equations and unwanted spaces in the document, this solution may not be practical.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Equation Editor version 3.01 as included with Microsoft Word 2000.

MORE INFORMATION

The following table indicates which version of Microsoft Equation ships with which version of Microsoft Word:

   Microsoft Word version          Microsoft Equation version
   ----------------------          --------------------------

            2.x                              1.x
            6.x                              2.0
            95                               2.1
            97                               3.0