Full-Screen Mode in Word 2007

Kay, a lecturer, noted that the Word 2003 full-screen mode (under the View menu) was ideal for presenting to a class on a SmartBoard via a data projector. Word 2007 does not seem to have the same option that allows the document to completely fill the screen. The Microsoft Conversion Guide states it can be found in View, Full Screen Reading, but the whole of the screen is not utilized and the Office elements around the edges are distracting to the class of viewers. Kay wonders if this function still exists but maybe in a different guise.

You are in luck—it does still exist, but has been carefully hidden by Microsoft. (Why? All in the name of an improved user interface, of course. ) You can pull up the traditional full-screen mode by pressing Alt+V and then pressing U. The offending Office elements are gone, and only a scroll bar remains at the right side of the screen (if the document's length warrants a scroll bar). To exit this viewing mode, press Esc.

If you prefer to have the viewing mode accessible through a toolbar, you can add the traditional full-screen mode to the Quick Access toolbar by following these steps:

1. Click the Office button and then click Word Options. Word displays the Word Options dialog box.
2. At the left side of the dialog box click Customize. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Using the Choose Commands From drop-down list, choose All Commands.
4. In the list of available commands locate and select the Toggle Full Screen command.
5. Click the Add button. The Toggle Full Screen command should now appear at the right of the dialog box.
6. Click OK.