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  • When users starts Word they activate a previously created instance
  • Paragraph borders lost when printing from a VBA macro
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  • All other UserForm controls disabled after displaying a message box

I selected a block of text and pressed Delete (or Backspace) and nothing happened!

Article contributed by Suzanne S. Barnhill

Delete: If you look at the status bar, you will see that it is displaying the message “Delete Block? No (Yes).” If you press Y, the block will be deleted, but this is doubtless one more step than you want.

This is an indication that you have checked one or more of the options referring to WordPerfect on the General tab of Tools | Options. Clear both check boxes (these options are actually no help to most migrants from WordPerfect anyway), and you will not be asked for delete confirmation again. Note that these options are no longer present in Word 2007.

Backspace: In Word 2003 and earlier, on the Edit tab of Tools | Options, check the box for “Typing replaces selection” (Word considers backspacing “typing”).

In Word 2007, find this option (“Typing replaces selected text”) at Office Button | Word Options | Advanced | Editing Options.