WD: Cannot Edit MS Draw OLE Object in Word for the Macintosh (82127)

SYMPTOMS

When you convert a Microsoft Word version 2.0 or 2.0a for Windows document containing an embedded Microsoft Draw object to Word for the Macintosh versions 5.0 and later, you cannot open the Picture Window and edit the object by double-clicking the converted graphic. If you attempt to do so, you receive the following error message depending on which version of Word for the Macintosh you are using:

Word 5.0: Cannot open editor for this object.
Word 5.1: This object editor is not currently available.
Word 6.0 and 6.0.1: Word cannot edit the MSDraw 1.0.1
Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition: Word cannot edit the MSDraw 1.0.1

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the Microsoft Draw OLE Editor in Word for Windows does not generate objects of the same class as those created or recognized by the Picture Window OLE server in Word for the Macintosh. This is not a problem in the Word for Windows 2.0 converter, but a design variation between the two products.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the appropriate method for your version of Word.

Word 6.0, 6.0.1, Word 98 Macintosh Edition

To edit a converted Microsoft Draw object as a picture in the versions of Word listed above, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

140870 "Word Cannot Edit the MSDraw" Error

Word 5.0 and 5.1 for the Macintosh

To edit a converted Microsoft Draw object as a picture in Word for the Macintosh 5.0 or 5.1, use either of the following methods:

Convert the OLE Object to a Picture Before Conversion:

Select the object in Word for Windows 2.0
On the Edit menu, click Cut.
On the Edit menu, click Paste Special.
In the Paste Special dialog box, select Picture, click Paste and save your document in Word for Windows format for transfer to the Macintosh.

Convert the OLE Object to a Picture After Conversion:

Select the object in Word 5.0. or 5.1 for the Macintosh.
On the Edit menu, click Object Options.
In the Object Options dialog box, click Freeze Picture.

After you have completed either set of steps, the embedded object is converted to a PICT image in Word for the Macintosh. You can edit this as a normal graphics image.