HELP! All my files in Word 2016 are in a complete mess, I have no idea what to do. I finished a 12 page document, heavily formatted with text boxes and pictures. I hit print, it printed one page, I realized it had been set for 2 sided printing, and I hit cancel. Tried to print again, hit the close button by mistake, clicked on "don't save changes". It closed, when I opened it, the document was spread completely across the screen, 18" wide at 100%. Items from page 1 and page 2 are all mixed up across the screen, the entire document is that way, and worse yet, ALL MY FILES ARE LIKE THIS! When I check the settings, it is set for 81/2 x 11, portrait, view one page. I am using Word 2016, Windows 10.



If I open a new document, it seems to be OK. But I am very reluctant to begin a new 12-page document. Later: I tried making a new document, and it looked fine. I saved it and re-opened it, and it has the same corruption. I connected my backup hard drive, opened a similar document, and it displays the same corruption.

Any help would be MUCH appreciated.

Are you viewing the file in Web Layout view? Does going to the View tab and changing to Print Layout fix the issue?

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Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia

Thank you so, so much. Although the tab showed "print", I clicked web view, than back to print view, and that solved the problem. I have no idea how it got onto web view. I was really upset, I had visions of an early morning trip to the Microsoft store, hauling my desktop, then being presented with a hefty bill.

Thank you again,

Carol

The same thing happened to my husband's computer tonight! The two computers are not set up to synchronize or file share, but they are on the same WiFi network.

We can't understand how it could happen, and I am puzzled as to why it would affect ALL of my docs.

Any thoughts?

Thank you again.

I don't know anything about your setup but firstly I would check that you are actually saving the files in docx format and not html.

I haven't see documents randomly change their view when opening so I would be checking to see if there are any macros that might be running that is causing this behaviour. What template is attached? Is there code in your Normal.dotm? Is there any addins installed?

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Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia

Yes, I am saving in docx. I am not using a template.

I'm sorry, but I don't know how to check to see if macros are running, code in my Normal dotm, or any addins installed (I don't think so>)

Everything seems to be back to normal, guess it was just one of those computer gremlins.

Thank you again.

It has been reported earlier that documents display in Web Layout view for no apparent reason. As you have noticed, you can always switch back to Print Layout view on the View tab.

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Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional