Inconsistent spacing between paragraphs in different documents

P

Pierre

I use Word 2003.

Document A was created with a template. Document B was created by someone
else but I attached my template to Document B using Tools > Templates and Add
Ins

All my styles from the template are available in Doc B.

For paragraphs, I use a style called Body. It has 3 pt spacing before and 3
pt after the paragraph. The problem is that the BODY paragraphs look
different in both documents. Specifically, the space between two BODY
paragraphs is not the same in both docs even though they both say 3pt before
and after in the Paragraph specs.

I hope this is clear. It is very strange. Doc B looks like there is less
space between paragraphs that Doc A has.

I'd love to send a screen shot comparing the two docs.

I am suspecting a template issue

Thank you
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

In the Compatibility Options, make sure that "Don't use HTML auto paragraph
spacing" is checked. The effect of auto paragraph spacing is to suppress the
lesser of Space Before/After when they meet. That is, with this item
checked, 12 + 6 = 18; without it, 12 + 6 = 12.
 
J

Jay Freedman

Compare the settings in the two documents in the Tools > Options >
Compatibility dialog. It sounds like the "Don't use HTML paragraph auto
spacing" option may be set differently. The description of this option at
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=288792 is:

"Don't use HTML paragraph auto spacing: This option has two functions: . If
you have Auto set for Paragraph Spacing Before/After, and you turn this
option on, Word adjusts Paragraph Spacing Before/After to 5 pt.
. With this option turned off (default setting), Word sets the spacing
between paragraphs to the larger of Paragraph Spacing Before/After. With
this option turned on, Word uses both values of Paragraph Spacing
Before/After between paragraphs. This is the same functionality as in
earlier versions of Word.
"

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.
 
P

Pierre

That fixed it. Brilliant. but it doesn't explain why document A doesn't have
the problem and it had "Don't use HTML auto paragraph spacing" checked. I'm a
unclear as to how to use Word versions in that screen. Do I pick the version
of word that I'm using or the version of word the file was created in? Oh
well. I'll sleep on it. Thank you very much.
 
P

Pierre

The option was set the same in both files: i.e., unchecked. When I checked
the option in Documen B, the problem went away. I'm confused as to how to
use Word versions in that screen. Do I pick the version of word that I'm
using or the version of word the file was created in? I'll have to read the
article you referenced. Thank you very much.
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

By default, an existing document will show either "Custom" or the version it
was created in. If you want it to be compatible to the current version, you
can change the setting, but this may affect document formatting. It helps to
observe what options are checked when you select various previous versions;
this shows you what features were changed between versions.
 
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