txt Box - Unwanted Linking? 1

[djw2k3]

Using MS word 2002 (Win XP pro), I am creating a document that has numerous pictures / labels etc.

I have come accross something very frustrating,

When I open document and insert a new txt box all is fine. When i insert another txt box, it appears with the txt entered into the 1st text box, if I delete the txt then the txt disappears from the original.

Its like I have changed an option or something somewhere but for the life of me I cannot figure out where.


Any help greatly appreciated

Dave

 

[fumei]

Go to the text box that is acting funny and select it. Then select View, Toolbars, Text Box. See if the Link button is selected. If it is, select the broken link button.

That is unless you want to have them linked. Text boxes (and other in-line shapes) can flow as a "story".

This may not be your problem, but it is worth a try. Post back here if it doesn't help.




Gerry

 

[djw2k3]

Okay,

If I copy a txt box it appears there is some kind of "story", but the 'unlink' button is still grayed out so can't seem to toggle it. Work around is insert a new txt box each time (not ideal )

Also in txt boxes I have added figure numbers using outline numbering, but the numbering gets all messed up and is not in order ie, a new box inserted below an original might be labelled 1.1 (should be 1.2) and the original turns to 1.2 (should be 1.1).....

Any help greatly appreciated - also any links on how to do this type of formatting would be fantastic...

 

[fumei]

It may help if I get a feel of what you are trying to do.

Why are you copying a text box? Why are you using text boxes in the first place?

You can only link a text box story from one text box to an empty text box. The text from the first one flows into the second one as the first one fills up. Note that the text boxes do NOT automatically adjust their size. If you add text to the first (that is linked to the second), it will indeed flow into the second. But if it is too much for the size of the second then it disappears out of sight. Unless of course you have a third text box in the story - in which it flows into that. Or if you have automatic resizing toggled. (Good idea!)

Also the linking is directly done by specifically pointing to another text box. If you put a different text box (say "C")between two linked ones ("A" and "B"), "C" will not be linked unless you specifically tell it to be.

To unlink, in reference to the greyed out "unlink" button, you must unlink from the originating text box, NOT the one it links to.

Sound confusing? Frankly, unless there is a good reason to use this, it can be a frustrating experience.

What exactly are you trying to do? It seems that you are trying to do captions. There is a Knowledge Base article on text box caption not updating.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;211934

Maybe using Insert|Reference|Caption for your pictures, rather than text boxes, might be better. There is another recent thread on this - "Automatic changes at several place..". However, there may be a very good reason for you using text boxes. Don't know.

Hope this helps.


Gerry

 

[djw2k3]

Hi Gerry,

Excellent, that pretty much sorted my problem with caption numbers not updating.

Am using txt boxes to position the caption where i want etc.

Cheers

Dave