Well, here is one to start with:
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Formatting/TameAutoFormat.htm. The gray brackets
are probably bookmarks; clear the relevant check box on the View tab of
Tools | Options.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
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wrote in message
...
Had to reinstall Office 2003 after HD failure. Am now 'stuck' with a
NEW 'default', normal.dot which I'm trying to modify.

I've forgotten what settings to use to:

-Move just ONE item (ie picture, formatting, etc) and not have all of
them move throughout the entire section/document.

-which 'auto format' settings to use/disable (I used to have an MVP
page bookmarked which exactly specified these settings & loved it! It
also is 'gone' in transfer to new HD) Getting these settings correct,
really 'tames' the beast!

-Getting rid of those gray, non-delectable brackets!

TIA!