WD: Changing Default Envelope Attributes

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This article was previously published under Q115260

SYMPTOMS

Microsoft Word does not retain changes that you make to the Envelope Address or Envelope Return attributes.

This behavior occurs when you do either of the following:

Use the Style command on the Format menu, and then select the Add To Template option to make the change permanent. (When you do this, some but not all of the style attributes are retained).

NOTE: See the "More Information" section of this article for a list of which attributes are lost.
Click Envelopes And Labels on the Tools menu and then click Options. These changes are valid only for the current envelope, and none of the changes are retained for future envelopes.

NOTE: This second symptom occurs because of the way Microsoft Word is designed. To make the changes permanent, follow step 8-13 in "Method 1" in the "Workaround" section of this article.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use any of the following methods.

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Method 1

This method retains all font attributes and the position on page (from left, from top). However, you can't use this method to set language formatting, numbering, bullets, borders, or frame attributes other than position on envelope. (You can use a combination of this method and the "Format Style" method described in the "More Information" section at the end of this article to achieve most of the formatting you need.)

To change most of the Envelope Address or Envelope Return style attributes for the current and future envelopes, follow these steps:

On the Tools menu, click Envelopes And Labels.
Select the Envelopes tab.
Click Options.
Adjust the position of the return address and the delivery address using the From Left and From Top options.
Adjust the font and point size by choosing the Font buttons, making the changes you want, and then clicking OK.
Click OK to return to the Envelope dialog box.
Click Add To Document. NOTE: Steps 1 through 7 change the envelope settings for the current envelope only. To make this change the default envelope setting for future envelopes, continue with the following steps.
On the Format menu, click Style.
Click Organizer.
The window on the left shows the styles for the current document. The window on the right shows the styles available in Normal.dot (or the desired template). If it does not, choose Normal.dot (or the desired template) from the Styles Available In list.
Select the Envelope Address style from the current document (left Window) and click Copy. Click Yes when Word asks if you want to replace the current style.
Select the Envelope Return style from the current document (left Window) and click Copy. Click Yes when Word asks if you want to replace the current style.
Click Close.

You can close the document without saving changes. The changes will remain permanent for future envelopes.

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Method 2: Create a Custom Envelope Template

Create a custom envelope template by formatting a document with a custom paper size. For example, click Page Setup on the File menu (or the Format menu depending on your version of Word), click the Paper Size tab, and set Paper Size to Envelope #10).

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Method 3: Use a Macro

Create a macro to modify the formatting once the envelope is added to a document.

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

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MORE INFORMATION

Changing the Envelope Address or Envelope Return style by choosing Style from the Format menu does not work as expected. However, this method successfully changes some attributes. Below is an outline of the procedure and a section that describes which attributes are and are not retained.

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Format Style Method

On the Format menu, click Style.
In the Styles list, click the Envelope Address or Envelope Return style.
Click Modify.
Click to select the Add To Template check box to add the style change to the template.
Click Format.
Click the style attribute you want to change.
Click OK to return to the Modify Style dialog box.
Click Close.

The style has now been modified. The changes will remain permanent for future envelopes, with the exception of certain attributes. Below is a list of the style attributes that are and are not retained when you use the "Format Style Method."

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Envelope Address Style

   Attribute             Status
   ---------             ------
   Fonts                 All style attributes are retained.

   Paragraph             The left indent will always be 2 inches,
                         regardless of the style. All other paragraph style
                         attributes are retained.

   Tabs                  All style attributes are retained.

   Borders & Shading     All style attributes are retained.

   Language              All style attributes are retained.

   Bullets & Numbering   All style attributes are retained.

   Frame                 Width of frame will always be 5.5 inches,
                         regardless of the style. Vertical position always
                         remains "Bottom relative to Margin" regardless of
                         the style unless you type in a numeric value for
                         the vertical position. All other frame style
                         attributes are retained.

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Envelope Return Style

   Attribute             Status
   ---------             ------

   Fonts                 All style attributes are retained.

   Paragraph             None of the style attributes are retained.

   Tabs                  None of the style attributes are retained.

   Borders & Shading     None of the style attributes are retained.

   Language              All style attributes are retained.

   Frame                 None of the style attributes are retained.

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APPLIES TO

Microsoft Word 6.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Word 6.0a
Microsoft Word 6.0c
Microsoft Word 95 Standard Edition
Microsoft Word 95a
Microsoft Word 6.0 for Macintosh
Microsoft Word 6.01 for Macintosh

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kbenvelope kbfaq kbpending kbprb kbprint KB115260

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Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

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