Hack the registry

Word has no idea what the correct envelope orientation is for Epson inkjet printers. Here are a couple of fixes you could try. The first involves a simple registry hack.

Run Regedit and locate the entry for the errant printer under:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Word\Printername (Here EPSON Stylus COLOR 480SX - a cheap inkjet that I used with my laptop until it broke.)

Change the EnvFeed_7 entry to '3' (or 2 if the envelope appears upside down in the wizard).

The registry entry above is for Word 2002. I see no reason why this will not work for Word 97, and it does work for Word 2000 and 2003 - substitute \8.0\ or \9.0\ or \11.0\ for \10.0\ as appropriate.

When working on the registry, it is always advisable to backup registry keys before making changes.

Or try a Word macro

The second is more of a blunt instrument and can be used if the registry hack doesn't fix it for you.

Save this macro in a global template (one that's stored in Word's Startup directory):

Sub ToolsEnvelopesAndLabels()

Dim dlg As Dialog

Set dlg = Dialogs(wdDialogToolsEnvelopesAndLabels)

With dlg

    .DefaultOrientation = wdLeftPortrait

    .DefaultFaceUp = True

    .Show

End With

Set dlg = Nothing

End Sub

When you use the Tools/Envelopes menu command, this macro executes instead. It does not, however, pick up the address information from the document automatically. You will have to select it first. I also found that after using the macro for a while, Word would remember the required settings and the macro could be abandoned without losing the required functionality.