Starting a Discussion

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated June 29, 2017)

Word 2000 and later versions include an online collaboration feature called discussions. After you have connected to a discussion server (as described in previous WordTips), you can load a document and start either an inline or general discussion. You use an inline discussion to trade comments on a specific part of a document, such as a paragraph, table, graphic, or other element. To start an inline discussion, follow these steps:

  1. Position the insertion point anywhere within the paragraph or table that will be the subject of the discussion.
  2. On the Discussions toolbar, click on the Insert Discussion In the Document tool. The Enter Discussion Text dialog box appears.
  3. In the Discussion Subject area, enter the subject for your discussion.
  4. In the Discussion Text area, enter your comments.
  5. Click on OK.

Your comment is posted on the server, and Word places the discussion icon at the end of the paragraph, table, or graphic. In addition, Word displays the Discussion pane at the bottom of your screen.

You can use a general discussion to discuss global issues concerning a document. To start a general discussion, follow these steps:

  1. Open the document you want to discuss.
  2. On the Discussions toolbar, click on the Insert Discussion About the Document tool. The Enter Discussion Text dialog box appears.
  3. In the Discussion Subject area, enter the subject for your discussion.
  4. In the Discussion Text area, enter your comments.
  5. Click on OK.

Your comment is posted on the server, and the discussion icon appears at the end of the paragraph, table, or graphic. In addition, Word displays the Discussion pane at the bottom of your screen.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (772) applies to Microsoft Word 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

Taskbar Setting isn't Sticky

Understanding how Excel sets the taskbars upon opening.

Discover More

Shading Table Rows

Need to format the rows of a table so that your data is showcased better? Here are a few ways you can get the shading you ...

Discover More

Ignoring Punctuation in Names

If you have a word that includes punctuation as part of the word itself, then you may be frustrated by how Word treats ...

Discover More

Do More in Less Time! Are you ready to harness the full power of Word 2013 to create professional documents? In this comprehensive guide you'll learn the skills and techniques for efficiently building the documents you need for your professional and your personal life. Check out Word 2013 In Depth today!

More WordTips (menu)

Changing an AutoShape

Got an AutoShape you previously added to a document, buy you now want to change to a different shape? You can change ...

Discover More

Curving Text Around the Edge of a CD

Word works great with text, but not so great if you need to do some specialized things with the text, such as printing it ...

Discover More

Using the Organizer to Manage Styles

One of the things that the Organizer is great at doing is managing styles. You can use it to move them between templates ...

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.

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

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}] 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 1 + 3?

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.

Newest Tips
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.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.