Changing format after saving

Question

When I format with two columns or landscape and SAVE the document, it reverts to single column when I open it. Many of my normal documents saved without changing formatting, open in landscape or multiple columns. If I saved in two column and it reverts to one, I have to click single column and then double column. It won't change if I just click to two column. What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

It's possible there's a fault with your Office installation installation. Have you tried repairing it (via Start > Windows Control Panel > Programs > Programs & Features > Microsoft Office (version) > Change)?

It's also possible the document has acquired some for of corruption. Corrupt documents can often be 'repaired' by inserting a new, empty, paragraph at the very end, copying everything except that new paragraph to a new document based on the same template (headers & footers may need to be copied separately), closing the old document and saving the new one over it.

Answer 2

See if Word behaves after you have started it in Safe mode (as a troubleshooting step).

Here's how to start in Safe mode: Exit Word if it is currently running. Then hold the Windows logo key as you press R; in the Run dialog box, type winword /safe and press Enter.

If Safe mode works, that limits the likely causes of the problem to one of three things: poorly designed add-ins, a problem with the Normal template, or a problem with registry entries for Word. These can be troubleshot further if you follow the manual steps in the Knowledge Base article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/921541.