Incorrect alignment in a Word 2000 document that is opened from an external drive in Word 2002 (295762)

NOTE: This article discusses complex scripts functionality. Complex scripts functionality is available when you use the Office Language Settings tool to enable a language, such as Arabic or Hebrew, that requires this functionality. For more information about multilingual features, click Microsoft <I BRACKET="YES">your Office product</I> Help on the Help menu, type multilingual features in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics that are returned.

SYMPTOMS

When you open a Word 2000 document that contains right-aligned, right-to-left text in Word 2002, the paragraph alignment changes from right-aligned to left-aligned.

Similarly, when you open a Word 2000 document that contains left-aligned, left-to-right text in Word 2002, the paragraph alignment changes from left-aligned to right-aligned.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when both of the following conditions are true:

The document was opened from a floppy disk, or the document was opened from another external drive (Zip drive, CD-ROM, or network drive), with the Make local copy of files stored on network or removable drives check box selected. (On the Tools menu, click Options and then click the Save tab.) -and-
The right-to-left document was originally created in a left-to-right version of Word 2000; for example, English Word 2000. Or, the left-to-right document was created in a right-to-left version of Word 2000; for example, Arabic or Hebrew Word 2000.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, copy the document manually to a local drive before you edit it in Word 2002.

For documents opened from a Zip drive or CD-ROM, clear the Make local copy of files stored stored on network or removable drives check box. (On the Tools menu, click Options and then click the Save tab.)

STATUS

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