Word header bug

Question

I placed a text box in the header so as to place the text I wanted. I did a few documents. After I opened one of them, I noticed that the text box isn't there. I again placed the text box and after I pressed save, I noticed that the text box disappear. I wonder if any one else has experienced something similar?

Even after I click the save button, there is 3 commands that I can undo. Was it not always that after a save there isn't an undo possible?

Answer 1

I could not see the error when in safe mode. I am able to undo after a save. Is this normal?

OK. I am talking about Safe mode which is a way of starting a "clean" version of Word.

"I am unable to undo after a save. Is this normal?"

Is this in safe mode?

No, it is not normal, so long as he document remains open and the undo cache has not been wiped.

Safe mode is a diagnostic tool. If the problem is not there when you start Word in safe mode and open the problem document, then the problem is either a poorly-written Add-In or a problem with your normal.dotm. So again, only if it worked when you started Word in Safe mode, try with Word closed, renaming your normal.dotm file to something like "normalold.dotm" or "normal19-09-27.dotm." Where is the Normal Template / How to Find the Normal Template

Answer 2

There is abosolutely NO reason for using text boxes in that location.  Simply insert the "Check list for EWR Completion" at the left margin and then press the tab key twice and type the "Form EWR-4.2" which will then be right aligned at the right aligned tab stop that is by default included in the paragraph in the Header.

Answer 3

I didn't realize that you were using a text box for this. I see now that the text in the header is in two text boxes. They are there when I open the document in Office 365 (2019) or 2013. I will look on a different computer where I have 2016.

I would not be using text boxes for this. These are graphical elements. I would use them if I wanted to rotate them or do other graphic-related tasks but not just for text. Again, text box has a bunch of meanings in Word. You are using classic text boxes that are inserted using Insert > Text Box.

A suggestion would be to use Custom Document Properties and DocProperty fields in your header. Otherwise, if the text is going to be in the body of the document, use either StyleRef fields in the header or use Mapped Content Controls.

Again, this does not get  to the mystery of your text boxes disappearing.

See Elusive White Space by Suzanne Barnhill, MVP for one idea.

![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/9803931f-a178-470a-affd-223e6be9cadc?platform=QnA

Answer 4

For the moment, ignore Tony's advice. I doubt there is a bug or a problem with your Word installation. There may be a problem with your understanding of how Word works. Word is a very complex program. Some thoughts:

• A header is not a good place to expect user input. At the head of a document would be a good place. Content in a document can be reflected in the header(s) using a StyleRef Field.
• "Text box" is an ambiguous term for Word, thanks to MS. What kind of text box? How did you insert it?
• A sample document with such a text box would help us in figuring out what is happening and helping you achieve what you want. You could save such a document on OneDrive or DropBox and provide a link here.
• You may want to be using a template and creating new documents based on the template. Templates in Microsoft Word

Answer 5

Thanks Charles for the suggestion to post a sample. The office network, which is where I have the Word 2016 running on W10 OS, does not allow a Cloud drive. On my home notebook, I have Word 2013 on W10. I tried the file on it and it does not show the error.

Are we talking a header or a heading?

What is the difference between headings and headers?

See also previous questions.

So, if it does not violate your company's rules, copy a problem document to a flashdrive (removing confidential or proprietary info) and post it from your home.

The thing is, Word 2016 has been out now for about four years. I've been working with / studying Word for much longer. If this were a program bug, I expect I would have seen it. On the other hand, sometimes updates, trying to fix one problem, cause another.

Many corporate IT departments have a poor understanding of how Word works. It is not as sexy as databases.

I believe the latest version update to Word 2016 is 1909. It depends on the update plan.