Word changes table position when saving document

Anonymous
2021-02-26T09:24:48+00:00

Curious problem,

we have several Word-templates with horizontally absolute positioned tables in it, so we can use fields in it to print on standard (preprinted) forms. Suddenly, when using these templates, the user reports that when saving a document based on the template, the layout of the table is changed.  The table is moved to the left and thus when printing on the preprinted forms the fields don't match the space on the the preprinted forms.

Why is this happening and more important: how can we prevent positioned tables from moving ?

Btw:  the templates have been used for years now without problems, so something must have changed in the way Word 365 works now.

Kind regards,

Gert van de Pol.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-02-26T13:36:22+00:00

    The issue you are having I believe is being caused by your use of a binary formatted template and an XML formatted document. You need to save your DOT template into an XML format (DOTX) and then you might have to adjust one time, the alignment of your tables and fields. But after doing it once, it should be good from then on.

    If you are using AutoText in your template and the AutoText is for preformatted tables, you should recreate that AutoText in a DOCX formatted document and then resave it into the template. Stored AutoText Tables that was created in Binary (DOC) formatted document and then inserted into XML (DOCX) formatted document can cause stair-stepping of the rows on the outer edge.

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  2. Stefan Blom 346.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2021-02-26T10:30:07+00:00

    Can you share an example document or (which would be even better) an example template file for illustration? You can upload your example to OneDrive or Dropbox, make the file public and post a "share" link here.

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  3. Stefan Blom 346.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2021-02-28T18:47:53+00:00

    I agree with Rich: I suspect that file formats are the issue here.

    The layout engine changed in Word 2013 and older formats (*.doc and *.dot) make use of the older layout engine. Therefore, the layout often changes when you save a document based on a *.dot template in the newest *.docx format.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-02-26T12:51:57+00:00

    Can you share an example document or (which would be even better) an example template file for illustration? You can upload your example to OneDrive or Dropbox, make the file public and post a "share" link here.

    Hi Stefan,

    posted a copy of the template and an example document with the wrong tablepositon on Google Drive.

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1P-zCEfoQzDi2SLFbZEHTgnpgxouIzvxN?usp=sharing

    Thanks in advance.

    Gert van de Pol

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