When copy/pasting, Word 2003 inserts bitmap image, not text

In Word 2003, when I cut or copy text (using mouse-based commands or drop-down menus) and then paste, I can paste the text intact only if I use the mouse to find my new place (i.e. by using the mouse scroll wheel, or by clicking or dragging the document scroll indicator at the extreme right of the screen.)

If I use the Arrow keys or the Page Up/Down keys on the keybord to find the new position, Word inserts a Bitmap image instead of the text. If I use Paste Special, the only options showing are Bitmap Image or Device Independent Bitmap.

It may or may not be relevant, but I've noticed a small anomaly: I am able to use some keyboard keys without disturbing the text held in the clipboard. I can press Enter, Spacebar, and other letters and numbers, and Word will insert the text without a problem. The text held in the clipboard appears to change to a bitmap image only by use of the directional keys.

I use Windows XP.

Colin

 

Hi, Colin.

These may be long shots but...

Have you tried a different keyboard? PS/2 instead of USB?

Does the text held in the clipboard change to bitmap only when Word 2003 is open? (Try it with Notepad instead, for example.)

Is this a desktop or laptop computer? Brand/model number?

 

Looks like it may be the keyboard. I use a Dell Inspiron 1000 laptop with an external keyboard, connected by an insanely complex series of adaptors (old-style 5-pin plug to PS/2 to USB). With the external keyboard connected, a similar thing happens in Notebook: the text disappears from clipboard when I use the keyboard directional keys; i.e. when I try to paste, there is nothing held in clipboard at all.

When I use the laptop's own keyboard, however, I am able to copy and paste (and paste special) in both Word 2003 and Notepad.

So it must be either the keyboard itself (Windows idenitifies it as an 'HID keyboard' -- I'm not sure whether that's relevant) or the series of adaptors. Looks like a few quid on a new keyboard with a USB could probably fix this.

 

Mailman, thanks very much for your ideas.

I bought a new keyboard, with a PS/2 connector, but the same problem persisted, both in Word 2003 and Notepad. So I went back to my old keyboard and...on a whim, tried turning off Number Lock, which I usually keep on. To my very great surprise, that simple action seems to have done the trick. I can paste and 'paste special' without a problem in Word, and the clipboard in Notepad holds the text even when I use the keyboard's directional keys. I can hardly believe the solution was so simple.

Goodness knows why Number Lock appears to have caused this bitmap image problem in the first place, but if keeping it off solves the problem, I’m happy enough with that.

Thanks again.

 

You're welcome. Thanks for reporting back to let us know what worked!

 

FYI: A similar problem with MS Pub 2003

This post is just FYI: I had a somewhat similar problem with MS Pub when I bought a new computer equipped with Office 2003 SBE in 2006. (In hindsight, I wish I had installed my copy of Office 2000 instead of buying the "new and improved(?)" version.)

This is what it took to get me on the straight and narrow and productive again.

I apologize for the lenth of the above thread but, at the time, it couldn't be helped. There is some good information in it if you take the time to read it all.

Here's hoping this can help someone and save them a ton of frustration.


Mike

 

I seem to recall seeing this before.
I've sent this to work and will look into it.

I think there are known issues with some laptops and the way certain keys convert when using external keyboards.