Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Saving All Open Documents.
Word allows you to open multiple documents at the same time. You can even view all of these documents at the same time. This makes it very easy to work on several files at once. After a long editing session, it is hard to remember which files you have changed and which you haven't. Word provides a way you can update all your open documents with one command.
To do this, hold down the Shift key as you open the File menu. You'll see a command that normally isn't there—Save All. (The command replaces the regular Save command; holding down the Shift key adds the "All" qualifier.) Select the command and you'll then be asked whether you want each document saved. You can click your answer on either the Yes or No buttons.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (286) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Saving All Open Documents.
Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!
Want an easy way to move between directories using the Open dialog box? With just a little bit of up-front typing, you ...
Discover MoreYou can easily insert one document within another document. What you may not know is that you can limit which part of a ...
Discover MoreWant to save snippets from a document into individual files? There are a couple of easy ways to achieve this goal, as ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: 
Comments