Switching between Files (MSWord 2007 SP1)

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Right now Word files each open in separate windows. I would like my Word documents to behave like my powerpoint or excel files and open in one window. I would like to switch between them using the CTRL+TAB shortcut. Now because they are in different windows, I use ALT+TAB. The disadvantage is I have to cycle through everything that’s open. Not just word documents. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

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You should be able to use Ctrl+F6 to switch between open Word documents.

If you wish, you can try the following:
– Click the Microsoft Office Button.
– Select Word Options.
– Select Advanced.
– Clear the “Show all windows in the Taskbar” check box.
– Click OK.

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Cathy,

I don’t know about 2007, but in 97 you can assign the “Previous Window” and/or “Next Window” functions to a toolbar button or hotkey sequence.

1. Right click on the toolbar.

2. Select “Customize…” from the dropdown menu.

3. Click the “Commands” tag in the “Customize” dialog box.

4. In the “Categories” list, click on “Windows and Help”

5. In the “Commands” list, drag “Previous Window” or “Next Window” to the toolbar and drop it where you want it.

6. If you want, you can change the icon or text on the button by clicking on the button in the toolbar and clicking the “Modify Selection” button in the “Customize” dialog box. A menu will appear with a list of options.

7. If you want to assign it to a hotkey combination instead of or in addition to the button, click on the “Keyboard” button.

8. When you’re done, click the “Close” button.

Clicking button or using the hotkey combination will make Word cycle through all open documents. I use it dozens of times a day.

I’ve stuck with Word 97 through the years because it’s stable and uncomplicated. It’s like a ’55 Chevy with a stick shift and a 6 cylinder engine. It ain’t fancy, but it’ll always get you where you want to go.

Hope this helps,

Al

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Word 2007 is quite different from Word 97 – the menus and toolbars have been replaced with the so-called ribbon; this cannot be customized as easily as the menus and toolbars in older versions. The “Quick Access Toolbar” is the nearest equivalent, but it’s less flexible.

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Yet another reason I’m “Stickin’ with the chicken”

Al

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Hi Cathy,

As Hans suggested, in my installation of 2007 on Windows XP Pro, Ctrl+F6 OR Alt+F6 cycles through open documents. Ctrl+Shift+F6 OR Alt+Shift+F6 cycles backwards through open documents.

Each document appears in the Task Bar, but these keystrokes only affect the open Word documents. While I know where the “Show all windows in taskbar” option is in 2003, I was unable to find it in 2007.

Still, do these keystrokes work for you?
Best,
Kim

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> While I know where the “Show all windows in taskbar” option is in 2003, I was unable to find it in 2007.

See my reply post 737,952 higher up in this thread.

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DOH!

OK, I looked there, I really did. But if it had been a virtual snake, it would have virtually bitten me.

Still, now that I’ve found the option, I can report that it is not unchecked, and the shortcuts I mentioned above do cycle only through the open documents.
Kim

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Yes, it’s been that way in Word 2002 and 2003 too – whether Windows in Taskbar is on or off, Alt+F6 and Ctrl+F6 let you switch between open Word windows (and their counterparts with Shift reverse the direction.)

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And, for trivia buffs, these keys have worked the same way in WordPerfect for quite a while, too. Ctrl+F6 going one way, Ctrl+Shift+F6 going the other.

Hopefully, Cathy will have no problems cycling through documents in Word 2007!
K

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Thanks for all the suggestions. I did have Show all windows in the Taskbar checked and Ctrl+F6 works.

I found Next Window and Previous Window in the Quick Access Toolbar. Unfortunately they are commands that don’t have associated icons. That’s one big drawback in 2007 – can’t customize the toolbar icons. Otherwise, I quite like the ribbon and have gotten used to finding most of the commands pretty quickly.

Thanks for all your help!

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