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About Pamela Mullenix-Croft
Expertise
I have been a member of the AllExperts team since October 2008. As a graphic layout artist I can address Word layout issues which may arise. I work with graphic challenges, and I work with both the Mac and PC platforms. I own my own contract training business. I train for both government and private entities.

Experience
I have taught Microsoft Word since 1991

Education/Credentials
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS), IC3 Instructor, Certifort SME (IC3), A Plus Computer Repair Technician, State of California Credentialed Teacher, Certified Graphic Layout Artist

You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Microsoft Software > Microsoft Word > Strange characters and symbols

Microsoft Word - Strange characters and symbols

Expert: Pamela Mullenix-Croft - 7/7/2009

Question
Can you please explain' why when one cuts & pastes anything written in word (including hyphens etc)into an e-mail, the recipient gets a lot of nonsensical characters and symbols other than what was originally written.

Many Thanks

Answer
Hello Thomas,

It is usually a symptom of Word's Smart Quotes feature in action. The Smart Quotes take characters and make them look more professional in your Word documents. The challenge is that on a copy and paste, the HTML editor for email does not know what to do with them, and returns strange characters.

You can search the term:

word smart quotes

...in a browser and learn more about the challenge they create.

If you would like to turn off Smart Quotes:

Click Tools on the menubar

Choose AutoCorrect Options

Select the AutoFormat As You Type tab

In the Replace as you type selection area, deselect the Straight quotes with Smart quotes box

Click OK

That will help.

All the best to you!

Pamela

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About Microsoft Word
This topic answers questions related to Microsoft Word stand-alone or Mircrosoft Office Word including Word 2003, Word 2007, Office 2000, and Office XP. You can get Word help on formatting text, tables, tabs, fonts, styles, general Word layouts, bullets, headings, and outlines, using templates, toolbar modifications, and using Track Changes. You may also find tips on linking Word and Excel embedded objects including charts. This site does not provide a general Word tutorial nor the basics of using a word processor. It provides specific answers to using Microsoft Word only. If you do not see your Word question answered in this area then please ask a Word question here