Microsoft KB Archive/95271

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WD: How Equations Are Converted Between MacWord and WinWord

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Q95271

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, version 5.1
 * Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 2.0c-CD

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SUMMARY
The following is an overview of how equation objects and equation fields (formulas) convert between Word version 2.0c for Windows and Word version 5.1 for the Macintosh. Results obtained with earlier versions of either Word product may differ.

Embedded Equation Objects
Macintosh to Windows:

When a document containing an embedded equation object is saved to Word for Windows format from within Word for the Macintosh, if Show Field Codes is not active, the equation will immediately appear and can subsequently be edited in the Word for Windows equation editor. When field codes are activated, the underlying {EMBED Equation} field appears subscripted.

If the same document is opened in Word for Windows from Word for the Macintosh format, if View Field Codes is not active, no equation result appears. What may seem to be simply a blank space appears instead. To regain the appearance of the equation result, follow these steps:


 * 1) Choose to view field codes, select the {EMBED Equation} field, and press F9 to update the field.

NOTE: If you have difficulty viewing the field code entry (if it appears cut off), highlight the line on which the field code is located, choose Format Character, and select None in the Super/Subscript box.
 * 1) Turn off View Field Codes.

An empty picture box appears.
 * 1) Double-click the empty picture box to open the Equation Editor.
 * 2) On the File menu, click Update.
 * 3) On the File menu, click Exit And Return To .

Your equation now reappears.

NOTE: Making any type of modification to the equation prior to exiting the Equation Editor and returning to your document, whether or not you choose Update from the File menu, also results in your equation reappearing.

When you open a document that is in Word for the Macintosh format into Word for Windows, having equation objects not immediately appear is by design. Prior to being updated, Word for the Macintosh retains the appearance of an embedded object as a PICT graphic. Currently, graphics are retained only when a document is saved from Word for the Macintosh to Word for Windows format. Therefore, in this case the picture image is lost and in order for the appearance of an equation object to be restored, the object must be updated from the underlying object data.

The fact that the EMBED field appears subscripted when View Field Codes is active has been confirmed by Microsoft to be a problem in the Word for the Macintosh converter supplied with Word for Windows. This problem has no adverse affect on document layout. Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available. Windows to Macintosh:

When you open a Word for Windows document containing an embedded equation object into Word for the Macintosh, the object is retained, immediately appears, and can be updated in the Word for the Macintosh Equation Editor.

If you instead save this same document in Word for the Macintosh format from Word for Windows, the equation, although retained, does not immediately appear in Word for the Macintosh. In this case, if you choose View Show, a dashed box appears at the location of the equation object. If you double-click this box, the Equation Editor opens, and the equation contents reappear.

In the latter case, having the equation not immediately appear is the inverse scenario of the same limitation as described above for Macintosh- to-Windows graphics conversions. Prior to being updated, Word for Windows retains the appearance of an embedded object as a Windows Metafile (WMF) graphic. Currently, graphics are retained only when a document is opened from Word for Windows format into Word for the Macintosh. Therefore, in this case the picture image is lost and in order for the appearance of the equation object to be restored, the object must be updated from the underlying object data.

Equation Fields (Formulas):

Word for Windows converts Word for the Macintosh formula typesetting commands to EQ fields, and vice versa. The results immediately appear in the converted document, and, in Word for Windows, you can subsequently open these in the Equation Editor.

Additional query words: type-setting

Keywords : kbinterop winword macword wordconvert

Issue type : kbinfo

Technology : kbWordSearch kbWordWSearch kbWordMSearch