problem with tabs and formatting

I'm trying to create a word document with the simplest of formats. I want
the tab length to be 0.5" and I want the return key to trigger a new new. I
DON'T want any MS Word "smart" formatting where a return starts a new line
indented at the depth of the last tab. I've tried to turn off every
possible automatic formatting option I can find but Word persists in trying
to "help" me.

Can't I make MS Word work more like notepad or some other rudimentary text
processor?

I'm using Word 97.

Thanks in advance!
John

Have you tried clicking on Tools | Autocorrect Options | Autoformat As
You Type | uncheck the "Set left- and first-indent with tabs and
backspaces" box?


John S. Ford, MD wrote:
I'm trying to create a word document with the simplest of formats. I want
the tab length to be 0.5" and I want the return key to trigger a new new. I
DON'T want any MS Word "smart" formatting where a return starts a new line
indented at the depth of the last tab. I've tried to turn off every
possible automatic formatting option I can find but Word persists in trying
to "help" me.

Can't I make MS Word work more like notepad or some other rudimentary text
processor?

I'm using Word 97.

Thanks in advance!
John

Yes I have and Word still tries to set my indenting.

John

"garfield-n-odie" wrote in message
...
Have you tried clicking on Tools | Autocorrect Options | Autoformat As
You Type | uncheck the "Set left- and first-indent with tabs and
backspaces" box?

Okay, then the next steps are to check for a damaged normal.dot template
or Word data key in the Windows registry. See item 2a in
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/...peningWord.htm. If the
problem persists, see item 2b in the same article.


John S. Ford, MD wrote:

Yes I have and Word still tries to set my indenting.

John

"garfield-n-odie" wrote in message
...

Have you tried clicking on Tools | Autocorrect Options | Autoformat As
You Type | uncheck the "Set left- and first-indent with tabs and
backspaces" box?

See http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Formatting/TameAutoFormat.htm

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

"John S. Ford, MD" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to create a word document with the simplest of formats. I want
the tab length to be 0.5" and I want the return key to trigger a new new.
I
DON'T want any MS Word "smart" formatting where a return starts a new
line
indented at the depth of the last tab. I've tried to turn off every
possible automatic formatting option I can find but Word persists in
trying
to "help" me.

Can't I make MS Word work more like notepad or some other rudimentary text
processor?

I'm using Word 97.

Thanks in advance!
John

Thanks Suzanne,

That seems to have worked so far.

John