Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 8, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Recently WordTips subscriber Kathleen Winters wrote about a problem she was having with a particular computer in their high school computer lab. It seems that the computer won't allow anyone to enlarge clipart within a Word document, even though it can be done on the other machines.
One reader suggested that the clipart be selected and cut from the document. Then, use the Paste Special option from the Edit menu to reinsert the image as a Picture. ("Picture" is a specific object type that can be selected in the Paste Special dialog box.) Sometimes this can "reset" internal pointers so the image can be resized as expected.
If that doesn't do the trick, the problem can probably be traced to one of two possibilities. First, the machine could have a virus. The only way to correct that is to make sure the virus checker is up to date and remove any viruses detected.
The second potential cause of the problem is that there is some conflict between the various device drivers used by Word. For instance, there could be some problem with the display driver or the printer driver, and the problem is only manifested in Word.
To correct this situation, visit the Web sites for the various manufacturers of the devices in the system. You should be able to find the latest device drivers at the sites, and then update your system. Word is fairly unusual in that it relies on a combination of both display and printer driver information to determine what is shown or can be done on screen. If all the pieces aren't working right, then Word won't work as expected, either.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (675) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!
There are all sorts of file formats used to store graphics. You might think that one of those formats is the MPF format, ...
Discover MoreNeed to know how many graphics a document contains? Getting at the true number may take a little more work than it first ...
Discover MoreDocuments are often made up of more than just text. If you have drawing objects in your document, you will doubtless need ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments