When converting to Word doc, first line indents disappear

[semisweetchick]

I searched for an answer for t his, but I couldn't find anything.

I'm running Writer 3.3.0 on Windows XP. (I just now saw 3.4.0 was available. I'll try upgrading to see if it solves the problem.)

When I create a document in .odt with the paragraphs formatted for a first-line indent, then "save as" as a Word .doc, close, and re-open the .doc file, the first-line indent disappears. If, in the newly created .doc, I subsequently select all the text and format the paragraph for a first-line indent, save, then close the document and re-open it, the indents are gone again.

How can I get the first-line indent to stick when I convert from .odt to a Word doc format? I don't seem to have this problem if I save the initial document as a .doc instead of an .odt, so I suppose that's one work-around. But I like working in the .odt for the rough draft before converting to .doc to submit to my editors.

Thanks for any help.
Beth

[floris v]

I can't reproduce that in 3.4 on Vista. In what Word format are you saving? We recommend 97/2000/XP.

[Hagar Delest]

How do you apply the first line indent?
Be sure to edit the paragraph style and to apply it to the text, it's more robust when you export in an external format.

[semisweetchick]

I am applying the first line indent by editing the paragraph style. In other words, I use the menu bar Format > Paragraph and then tick the "first line" indent box.

I am saving as Word 97/2000/XP.

This is a new problem on an established install, so I'm mystified why it's occurring now.

I just remembered I recently turned off Autocorrect While Typing. Do you think this is involved?

Thank you for your help!
Beth

[Hagar Delest]

I am applying the first line indent by editing the paragraph style. In other words, I use the menu bar Format > Paragraph and then tick the "first line" indent box.

This is direct formatting.

To edit the paragraph style, you've to right click and select the option at the bottom of the list (Edit paragraph style). Or right click the paragraph style entry in the Stylist (F11).

[semisweetchick]

So, I'm not sure I understand. Do I have to type out the entire document, select all the text, and then right-click and select "Edit paragraph style"? I can't simply set the paragraph style from the toolbar before I start typing?

Like I said, this is a new problem on an established install. It seems weird that the formatting won't hold now but did so in the past. Thanks for your help, though; I appreciate it!

Beth

[floris v]

No, you can change the paragraph style at any moment, and the changes will affect all paragraphs formatted with that paragraph style - you don't have to select all text with that style first. But changing the paragraph formatting in Format - Paragraph or Right click in text - Paragraph will only affect the paragraph where the cursor sits or the selected paragraph(s).

[semisweetchick]

Thank you. I used your method, but the indents still didn't hold. Even when I created a new, test document and saved from the start as a Word document, the first-line indent didn't hold upon subsequent opens.

I never thought I'd say this, because I've been using OO for several years, but I guess it's time to buy MS Office. My editors are pissed that my articles aren't formatted correctly.

Really disgusted with OO right now.

Elizabeth

[Hagar Delest]

I am applying the first line indent by editing the paragraph style. In other words, I use the menu bar Format > Paragraph and then tick the "first line" indent box.

I just tried and it doesn't work with the automatic box when you export to .doc.
Enter a value in the field instead and you're done.

I noticed that at export, this setting is overridden by the former value of that field if there was one. Since you let it to 0 I guess, there was no indent. Small bug.

Please add '[Solved]' at the beginning of your first post title (edit button) if your issue has been fixed.

[esperantisto]

Thank you. I used your method, but the indents still didn't hold.

Did you really modify the style, not the paragraph? For years, I have never had any formatting problem with paragraphs properly styled.

Once again, right-click on the paragraph and select Modify paragraph style (or whatever it is in your interface language), it’s normally the next-to-lowermost menu item. There, set the indent you want. Does this work?

[Hagar Delest]

Did you really modify the style, not the paragraph?

Both work, the trick is to set a value instead of merely checking the Automatic option.

[semisweetchick]

Did you really modify the style, not the paragraph?

Both work, the trick is to set a value instead of merely checking the Automatic option.

Yes, I really modified the style.

I haven't had time to try setting a value instead of ticking the box for automatic first-line indent. I will try setting a value. My question now is: If I set a first-line indent value, how will this affect the way the document appears to someone with MS Word who opens it to edit it? I guess I'll send it to someone with Word to find out.

Thank you to everyone for the help.

Beth

[Bill]

I haven't had time to try setting a value instead of ticking the box for automatic first-line indent. I will try setting a value. My question now is: If I set a first-line indent value, how will this affect the way the document appears to someone with MS Word who opens it to edit it? I guess I'll send it to someone with Word to find out.

The DOC format may not support automatic first-line indents. In Word 2000 a value must be set by the user.