WD97: Linked Picture Doesn't Preserve Scaling Properties

Word 97 does not retain the scaling (size) information for a linked graphic. That is, the graphic reverts to its original size (100 percent).

NOTE: This also applies to other linked embedded objects.

This problem occurs when all of the following conditions are true:

• The "Link to file" check box is selected (the check box has a mark in it).
  
  -and-
• The "Save with document" check box is not selected (the check box is clear).

To correct this problem, install Microsoft Word 97 Service Release 1 (SR- 1).

Use one of the following methods to work around the problem.

Method 1: Use This Method When Inserting New Graphics

Enable the "Save with document" check box when you insert the graphic by following these steps:

1. On the Insert menu, point to Picture, and then click From File.
2. In the Insert Picture dialog box, select the desired graphic.
3. Click the "Link to file" and "Save with document" check boxes so both have check marks. Then, click OK.

NOTE: This means that the graphic is stored in the Word document as opposed to being stored outside of the file only. The size of the file will be larger. This does not cause the file size to grow as much as it did in earlier versions of Word. The new graphic compression feature keeps the file size much smaller. To test this, create a document in an earlier version of Word and include several screen shots. Save it and note the size. Create a similar document in Word 97 and note the size--it will be much smaller compared to size of the file created an earlier version of Word.

Method 2: Use This Method to Correct Graphics in Existing Documents

Use this method to correct existing graphics in existing documents.

1. Open the document.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
3. Click the View tab.
4. Enable the Field Codes check box.
5. Look in the document for INCLUDEPICTURE field codes.
6. For each INCLUDEPICTURE field code, locate and delete the "\d" switch.
7. With your insertion point still inside the field code, press the F9 key on your keyboard to update the field.
8. Save and Close the document.

NOTE: In place of steps 2-7 above, you can run the following macro:

Dim ofield As Object Microsoft provides examples of Visual Basic for Applications procedures for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. The Visual Basic procedures in this article are provided 'as is' and Microsoft does not guarantee that they can be used in all situations. While Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular macro, they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality, nor will they help you construct macros to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to consult one of the Microsoft Solution Providers. Solution Providers offer a wide range of fee-based services, including creating custom macros. For more information about Microsoft Solution Providers, call Microsoft Customer Information Service at (800) 426-9400.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Word 97 SR-1.

For additional information about SR-1, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

When you link a picture in Word 97 with the "Link to file" option in the Insert Picture dialog box, any changes you make to the size of the graphic will not be retained when the file is saved, closed, and reopened.

This problem only occurs when the "Save with document" check box is not selected.

NOTE: This problem is not influenced by cropping the graphic or selecting the "Float over text" check box.