WD97: HTML File Opens into Online Layout View Not as HTML Tags (188014)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q188014

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to open an HTML file, Microsoft Word opens the file into online layout view, instead of opening the file as text and displaying the HTML tags.

In addition, the "HTML Source" choice may be missing from the View menu in Word.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if you did not install the Web Page Authoring (HTML) component with Word, and you then install Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0x.

NOTE: If you did install the Web Page Authoring (HTML) component with Word, Word opens HTML files into online layout view by default. This behavior is by design.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Open the File as Text Only

You can bypass the HTML converter and open the HTML file as text only, by confirming its method of conversion. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Click the General tab.
  3. Click to select the "Confirm conversion at Open" check box, and then click OK.
  4. On the File menu, click Open.
  5. Click to select the HTML file that you want to open, and then click Open.
  6. In the Convert File From list, click Text Only, and then click OK.

Method 2: Install the Web Page Authoring (HTML) Component in Office 97

This method adds HTML authoring features to Word that allow you view the HTML source. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Quit all Office programs.
  2. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  3. In Control Panel, double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
  4. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click to select Microsoft Office 97. (If you are using a stand-alone version of one of the Office programs, click to select the appropriate product in the list.) Then, click Add/Remove.
  5. Click to select the Web Page Authoring (HTML) check box and then click Continue.
For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0x installs a shared HTML (Html32.cnv) converter into the folder:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\TEXTCONV

When you install Word without the Web Page Authoring (HTML) component, Word ordinarily opens an HTML file as plain text. However, Word will check the TEXTCONV folder and utilize the HTML converter automatically when opening the file.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2000
Keywords:kbenv kbprb KB188014
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