Sizing the Preview Pane

Summary: Some versions of Word allow you to resize your Preview Pane, others do not. Here is how to make your view larger. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

When you use the Open dialog box in Word, you can configure what you see in the dialog box. One of the settings you can make is for Word to display a preview of whatever document you select in the left side of the dialog box. (Click on the drop-down arrow next to the Views tool, then choose Preview.)

If you are using Word 97 or Word 2000, you may have noticed that the preview shown by Word appears rather small, even though it occupies half of the dialog box. Unfortunately, neither version of Word allows you to adjust the size of the preview pane, or of the Open dialog box itself.

If you are using Word 2002 or Word 2003, however, you can resize the Open dialog box. As you do, the preview pane continues to occupy half of the dialog box. The upshot, then, is that you can make the preview larger (and more readable) by simply enlarging the Open dialog box. You can even make the dialog box occupy the whole screen by double-clicking on its title bar.

Tip #764 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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Sizing the Preview Pane