Getting Help for Unavailable Menu Items

Summary: Just because a menu item is unavailable doesn't mean you don't want to know what it does. Here's how to find out. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 6, and Word 95.)

Word uses a context-sensitive help system that allows you to view the online help for any menu item. All you need to do is highlight the menu item and press F1. What if you want help for a menu item you can't select? For instance, not all menu items are available at all times. Some are grayed out, depending on what you are doing in Word. To get help on these unavailable menu items, follow these steps if you are using Word 6 or Word 95:

Use the mouse pointer to point at the menu item that is not available.
Hold down the left mouse button.
Press F1.

This ability seems to have been removed, however, in Word 97. If any WordTips readers know of a way to still do this, please share the information.

Tip #1231 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 6 | 95

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Getting Help for Unavailable Menu Items