Working with Document Panes

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 1, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


Word allows you to divide a document window into two panes that allow you to view two different parts of the same document. To divide a document window into panes, you use the divider bar located in the upper-right corner of the document window. The divider bar is located immediately above the up arrow at the top of the vertical scroll bar at the right side of your document. When you position the mouse pointer over the divider bar, it changes to a different type of pointer. Click on the divider bar and drag it to where you want the document window divided. If you want to divide the document window in half, you can simply double-click on the divider bar.

After dividing a document window into panes, you can adjust the size of the panes at any time. This is done by clicking and dragging the divider bar to the new vertical location where you want the document window divided. When you release the mouse button, the divider bar remains at that point. Each pane is an independent view of your document. This means that you can use different Views in each pane—for instance, Normal view in the top pane and Page Layout in the bottom.

If you want to get rid of the panes, you simply have to double-click on the divider bar. This returns the view in the document window to a single part of the document. When you close a pane, it is the active pane that is removed. Thus, put the insertion point in the pane you want to close before actually closing it.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (376) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Repeating In a Macro

Macros are often used to process information stored in documents. Usually the processing involves some sort of iterative ...

Discover More

Printing Just the Envelope

When you add an envelope to a document, Word adds it to the beginning of the document. Printing just the envelope can be ...

Discover More

Figuring Out Your IP Address

If you computer communicates over a network or over the Internet, it uses an IP address. This tip explains what an IP ...

Discover More

Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!

More WordTips (menu)

Arranging Document Windows

When you have multiple documents open at the same time, you need a way to control how those document windows appear on ...

Discover More

Understanding the At and Ln Indicators

Part of the helpful information that Word provides on the status bar is designated by the labels "At" and "Ln." Here's ...

Discover More

Understanding Views

Want to see how your document will look before it's printed? Or, do you want to see what things will look like if you put ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is seven more than 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

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.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.