Handle Wide Report Export Limitations to Microsoft Word in Bold Reports

When exporting reports from Bold Reports to Microsoft Word, a built-in Word limitation affects wide tables and page layouts. Microsoft Word supports a maximum page width of 1,584 points (22 inches). Widths beyond this limit can cause truncation, misalignment, or warning messages. This article explains the limitation and provides practical guidance for clean Word exports.

Understanding the Limitation

• Maximum Page Width: 1584 points (approximately 22 inches).

• Behavior in Word: When a layout exceeds this width, Word displays a warning, restricts further layout changes, and may truncate or incorrectly render content.

• Visual Reference: Example of the Word warning when width is exceeded.

  

This restriction originates from Microsoft Word and applies to exports from Bold Reports as well as similar tools (such as SSRS).

Solutions for Wide Reports

To achieve clean Word exports:

1. Optimize Report and Table Layout

• Reduce Column Widths: Adjust individual columns to fit within the overall 22-inch limit.
• Break into Multiple Tables: Split very wide tables into sections across pages or separate tables.

2. Design with Word Constraints in Mind

• Set your report page width to 21 inches or less to maintain a safe margin.
• Use the Bold Reports Designer’s page setup to apply landscape orientation and appropriate margins.

3. Choose Alternative Export Formats

• PDF: Handles wide content without practical width restrictions.
• Excel: Ideal for data-heavy wide tables, preserving full column visibility.

4. Test Thoroughly

• Use Preview feature in Bold Reports Designer to simulate Word export.
• Export a test version and open it in Word to verify layout before finalizing.

Best Practices

• Plan for the target format: If Word export is required, design vertically or use wrapping from the beginning.
• User Communication: Inform end-users about format choices for wide reports (e.g., recommend PDF/Excel).
• Reference: Confirmed in Microsoft documentation: Exporting to Microsoft Word.

Conclusion

By keeping report layouts within Word’s 1,584-point page-width limit and applying the optimizations above, you can ensure accurate, professional rendering when exporting from Bold Reports. For unrestricted wide layouts, select PDF or Excel instead.