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General discussion

Word 2003 starts like this everytime.

Dec 8, 2005 8:11AM PST

When i open MS word 2003 the cursor is at the very top of the document. My sister showed me this and she has no clue how she messed up up (grrr at her) and was wondering how can i fix it, or would just reinstalling be better? Here is a screen shot:

http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=word5dd.jpg

Discussion is locked

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No top margin?
Dec 8, 2005 9:52AM PST

It looks like you may have accidentally set your default top margin to 0.

If so, you can either change it more to your liking, and save as your new default, or (possibly better and easier) just delete your current ''Normal.dot'' (your default Word template, and then restart Word to have it create a new default for you. The new one will have the margins reestablished to their usual settings.
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Search for ''normal.dot'' in the many tips here, of how to delete your current one, if you don't know how to do that.

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no normal.dot
Dec 8, 2005 11:36AM PST

I searched my whole C: and didnt find anything. Just reinstalled office and it comes up the same... Sad

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found it...still need help.
Dec 8, 2005 12:06PM PST

I found it. I had to view all hidden files and folders. I deleted it and then opened word back up and it looks the same. This is driving me nuts.

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Try a repair install, or
Dec 8, 2005 8:31PM PST

...go to the Help menu for "Detect and repair".

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Maybe you fould ''it,'' maybe you didn't
Dec 8, 2005 11:58PM PST

There is probably more than just one Normal.dot on your PC. There will be one Normal.dot, and maybe one more. The one Normal.dot for you, on WindowsXP will be in location:
C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates

(Hint: You can copy that into a ''Run'' window, put double-quotes on both sides of the entire line, and you will have that location open for you.
I did not put the double-quote character here because this forum converts it to two single quotes, grrrr, not the same thing.)

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nope...
Dec 8, 2005 8:55PM PST

it did it successfully. reopened word and the same thing. Seemed like when i reinstalled office it would of worked? maybe i should reinstall again but search my whole HDD for office and delete everything i find? Would that work?

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Found it!!
Dec 16, 2005 3:13AM PST

I was also suffering with this issue. I thought it might have something to do with the link to Outlook, when Word is used as to view and edit email. I was wrong. I found the fix at:

http://sbarnhill.mvps.org/WordFAQs/WhiteSpace.htm

Essentially, in the Tools/Options menu, under the "view" tab, you need to check the box to view white space between pages. Why and how this box became "unchecked" by default remains a mystery.

You are welcome.

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