Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 26, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Candace wrote concerning a problem she periodically has with Word. It seems that when she copies one document into another she often loses the ability to bullet and number items--even the tools are "grayed out" on the toolbar. It seems that the condition is only applicable to some paragraphs in the document, and that there is no apparent difference between "good" and "bad" paragraphs when it comes to the problem.
Quite honestly, Candace, Word just shouldn't do this. Since Word is not designed to work that way (to selectively turn off the availability of the bullet and numbering tools), it is an indicator that perhaps something is wrong with the document. The first problem that springs to mind is that perhaps you have a Word virus on your system, but the symptoms do not sound like anything that has been reported in previous Word viruses. (Besides, Word viruses aren't always as benign as the symptoms you are experiencing.)
The other (and more likely) reason the problem is that somehow your Word document--or a template on which it is based--has become corrupted. Corrupted documents can exhibit themselves in any number of random and seemingly bizarre means. Exactly how you recover a corrupted document varies depending on whether you feel the document itself or the template is corrupted, and which version of Word you are using. To learn more information on this topic (and there is quite a bit), refer to the following page at the Word MVP site:
https://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/AppErrors/CorruptDoc.htm
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1544) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!
If you receive a document from somebody else, you might not be able to edit it if the document contains fonts that you ...
Discover MoreWord can understand many different measurement units. One common unit understood by Word is the pica, described in this tip.
Discover MoreSome types of documents rely upon margin notes to the left or right of your main text. Getting these to appear in Word ...
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 © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments