WD2000: Negative Numbers in Word Tables Are Misaligned (316130)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q316130

SYMPTOMS



When you open a file that contains a table, the negative numbers in the table may be misaligned. This problem may occur if the Word 2000 files were originally created in Microsoft Word 97. The tables probably use decimal tabs to align number values, and they probably use parentheses to display negative numbers.

You may also have this problem with a new Word 2000 document. This problem may occur if you turn off the Automatically resize to fit contents table option, and then use decimal tabs to align number values, and then use parentheses to represent negative number values in a table.

For example, you may see something similar to the following:

Sales:___123,456.00
Expenses:_(100,000.00)
Income:____23,346.00

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the Automatically resize to fit contents table option is turned off. When this option is turned off, Word cannot properly determine the cell spacing to align negative values (with parentheses) on decimal tabs.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Office 2000 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 
   Date           Time  Version         Size       File name
   ----------------------------------------------------------
   03-Apr-2002   23:02                 1,933,556  Mso9.msp
   04-Apr-2002   02:16                  4,031,644  Mso9_Admin.msp
   06-Jul-2001     10:11                          2,882  Readme.txt
   03-Apr-2002   14:43                  4,019,180  Winword.msp
   03-Apr-2002   16:05                  4,676,272  Winword_Admin.msp
   06-Jul-2001     10:11                           2,882  Readme.txt
After the hotfix is installed, the following files will have the listed attributes or later: 
   Date           Time  Version         Size       File name
   ----------------------------------------------------------
   02-Apr-2002   23:45  9.0.0.6328      5,599,281  Mso9.dll
   02-Apr-2002   18:58  9.0.0.6328      8,814,644  Winword.exe

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem you can turn on the Automatically resize to fit contents table option. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click inside the table.
  2. On the Table menu, click Table Properties.
  3. On the Table tab, click Options, and then click Automatically resize to fit contents.
  4. Click OK two times.

STATUS

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

Note: This problem also occurs in Word 2002. However, the hotfix provided in this article only addresses the issue for Word 2000.

MORE INFORMATION

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/12/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbOffice2000preSP3fix KB316130
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