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Q209677: WD97: Shading Changes Opening a Word 2000 Document

Article: Q209677
Product(s): Word 97 for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:97
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbdta kbconversion wd2000 wordconvert
Last Modified: 31-JUL-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word 97 for Windows 
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SYMPTOMS
========

In Microsoft Word 97, when you open a Microsoft Word 2000 document [or a Word
2000 document saved in "Rich Text Format (*.rtf)"] that contains shading, the
shading does not appear as it does in Word 2000.

For example, if you have paragraphs shaded with 5 percent, 10 percent, or 12.5
percent gray shading in Word 2000, they appear unshaded (white) when the file is
opened in Word 97.


CAUSE
=====

This behavior occurs because of the different ways that the two versions of Word
handle color palettes. For example, Word 2000 supports 24-bit RGB color, but
Word 97 supports 16-bit color and has a limit of 50 RGB colors.

This means that colors that are similar to each other in Word 2000 are translated
(converted) to a single color in Word 97.

WORKAROUND
==========

If you are sharing your documents with others who use Microsoft Word 97 for
Windows, try eliminating gradient fills and use solid background or fill colors.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The following table shows how the pre-defined shading in a Word 2000
document that was saved as either "Word Document (*.doc)" or "Rich
Text Format (*.rtf)" converts when you open the document in Microsoft
Word 97 for Windows.

  Shading in Word 2000          Converts to this shading in Word 97
  ---------------------------------------------------------------

  White                         Retained as White
  Gray - 5%                     Converts to White
  Gray - 10%                    Converts to White
  Gray - 12.5%                  Converts to White
  Gray - 15%                    Converts to Gray - 25%
  Gray - 20%                    Converts to Gray - 25%
  Gray - 25%                    Retained as Gray - 25%
  Gray - 30%                    Converts to Gray - 25%
  Gray - 35%                    Converts to Gray - 25%
  Gray - 37.5%                  Converts to Gray - 25%
  Gray - 40%                    Converts to Gray - 50%
  Gray - 45%                    Converts to Gray - 50%
  Gray - 50%                    Retained as Gray - 50%
  Gray - 55%                    Converts to Gray - 50%
  Gray - 60%                    Converts to Gray - 50%
  Gray - 62.5%                  Converts to Gray - 50%
  Gray - 65%                    Converts to Gray - 50%
  Gray - 70%                    Converts to Gray - 50%
  Gray - 75%                    Converts to Gray - 50%
  Gray - 80%                    Converts to Black
  Gray - 85%                    Converts to Black
  Gray - 87.5%                  Converts to Black
  Gray - 90%                    Converts to Black
  Gray - 95%                    Converts to Black
  Black                         Retained as Black
  Brown                         Converts to Dark Red
  Olive Green                   Converts to Dark Yellow
  Dark Green                    Converts to Green
  Dark Teal                     Converts to Teal
  Dark Blue                     Retained as Dark Blue
  Indigo                        Converts to Gray - 50%
  Dark Red                      Retained as Dark Red
  Orange                        Converts to Red
  Dark Yellow                   Retained as Dark Yellow
  Green                         Retained as Green
  Teal                          Retained as Teal
  Blue                          Retained as Blue
  Blue - Gray                   Converts to Gray - 50%
  Red                           Retained as Red
  Light Orange                  Converts to Yellow
  Lime                          Converts to Yellow
  Sea Green                     Converts to Bright Green
  Aqua                          Converts to Turquoise
  Light Blue                    Converts to Blue
  Violet                        Retained as Violet
  Pink                          Retained as Pink
  Gold                          Converts to Yellow
  Yellow                        Retained as Yellow
  Bright Green                  Retained as Bright Green
  Turquoise                     Retained as Turquoise
  Sky Blue                      Converts to Turquoise
  Plum                          Converts to Pink
  Rose                          Converts to Pink
  Tan                           Converts to Yellow
  Light Yellow                  Converts to Yellow
  Light Green                   Converts to Bright Green
  Light Turquoise               Converts to Turquoise
  Pale Blue                     Converts to Turquoise
  Lavender                      Converts to Pink

REFERENCES
==========

For additional information about how Word 2000 font colors appear in Word 97,
click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge
Base:

  Q209679 WD97: Font Colors Change Opening a Word 2000 Document

Additional query words: white gray grey black shades grayscale greyscale 16-bit 16 bit 24 24-bit fill pattern shading

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbdta kbconversion wd2000 wordconvert 
Technology        : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Issue type        : kbprb

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