WD2000: Captions in Text Boxes Not Updated Correctly (211934)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q211934

SYMPTOMS

In a Word document, when you insert or update captions in a text box, the captions may not be numbered correctly.

Case 1: When Captions Are Inserted into the Same Text Box

Multiple captions inserted into the same text box have the same caption number.

Case 2: When Captions Are Inserted into Different Text Boxes

Captions inserted into different text boxes are out of sequence with the captions in the main document text.

Case 3: When Captions Are Inserted into Separate, Linked Text Boxes

Captions inserted into separate, linked text boxes use an unexpected caption number or have the same caption number.

CAUSE

Case 1: Captions in the Same Text Box

Word cannot correctly update multiple caption fields in the same text box. The caption updating is based on the placement of the text box anchor in the main text area of the document. Only one caption field can be associated with any one text box anchor. Therefore, multiple caption fields in the same text box are given the same caption number.

Case 2: Captions in Multiple Text Boxes

Word updates caption fields based on the placement of the text box anchor. If multiple text boxes are anchored to the same paragraph in the main text area of the document, Word cannot update the caption fields in the sequence you want.

Case 3: Captions in Linked Text Boxes

Each text box has an anchor in the main text area of the document. When text boxes are linked, each text box retains its own anchor (there is not just one anchor for all of the linked text boxes). Word cannot keep track of the multiple anchors, and, therefore, the caption numbers are updated incorrectly.

WORKAROUND

Case 1: Multiple Captions in a Single Text Box (Caption Numbers the Same)

To work around this problem, place only one caption in a text box. If additional captions are required in a text box, create another text box for the next caption.

Case 2: Captions Out of Sequence

Use the following steps to move the text box anchors to different paragraphs to achieve the caption numbering sequence that you want:
  1. On the View menu, click Options.
  2. Click to select the View tab.
  3. Click to select the Object Anchors and All check boxes and then click OK.
  4. Click to select the text box.

    NOTE: Gray hatch marks and white square handles will appear around the outside edges of the text box. Also, an anchor will appear at a paragraph mark in the body of the document.
  5. Drag the anchor to a different paragraph mark.

Case 3: Captions in Linked Text Boxes

To work around this problem, use any of the following options:
  • Do not use captions in linked text boxes.

    -or-
  • Use the following steps to unlink the text boxes:
  1. Select the first text box in the sequence.
  2. Right-click the selected text box.
  3. On the shortcut menu, click Break Forward Link.

    Repeat this procedure for each text box containing a caption if you are working with multiple linked text boxes.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the features discussed in this article, click the Office Assistant, and use the following table to locate the specific subject you want to know more about. 
                            Type this in the          And click to
   For information about    Office Assistant          view this topic
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Creating text boxes      How do I make a text      Insert a text box.
                            box?

   Linking text boxes       How do I create linked    Ways to lay out
                            text boxes?               text in a newsletter-
                                                      style document.

   Breaking a text box      How do I break a text     Break a text box
   link                     box link?                 link.

   Inserting a caption      How do I insert a         Add captions to
                            caption?                  tables, figures,
                                                      equations, or
                                                      other items.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/6/2000
Keywords:kbbug KB211934
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