Changing the Number of Headings in an Outline

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 11, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003

When you switch to Outline viewing mode, Word displays the Outline toolbar. In Word 97 and Word 2000 the toolbar includes tools that show the numbers 1 through 9. These represent the different heading levels that you can display in the outline. To view only a limited number of headings, click on the number representing the largest head level you want to view. Thus, if you want to see first-, second-, and third-level heads, click your mouse on 3.

Word 2002 changed the Outline toolbar, doing away with the nine level tools and replacing them with a single Outline Level drop-down list. (This is also the way it is done in Word 2003.) When you click on the down-arrow at the right of the tool, you can choose the level of detail you want to see in your outline. If you want to see just first- and second-level heads in your outline, you would drop down the list and choose Level 2.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (783) 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. Learn more about Allen...

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