Getting Help in Dialog Boxes

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 20, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


As is the same with most Windows programs, Word uses dialog boxes to present information and allow you to make changes to various settings. Sometimes the plethora of options in a dialog box can be rather confusing. If you need help on a particular option within a dialog box, then you can use a built-in feature of Windows. Examine the dialog box; in the upper-right corner you'll see some controls. The most common control is the Close button. In many dialog boxes there may also be a button with a question mark on it. If so, then you can click on the question mark and then click on the option for which you want information. Depending on your version of Word, you'll either see a small information box containing a limited amount of help for that option, or you may see a page from the online help system that contains information about the option.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (669) 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. ...

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