Collapsing and Expanding Subdocuments

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 4, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


Word allows you to organize your documents into a hierarchical relationship, such that one document is considered a master document and others are considered subdocuments. Many people use master documents to aggregate information presented in several subdocuments—for instance, each subdocument may represent a chapter in a book and the master document represents the entire book.

As you are working with your master document, you may find it handy (at times) to not see your entire subdocuments. Instead, you can view your subdocuments as simple links, instead of as an entire file. These links look very similar to hyperlinks: they are simply filenames shown in blue and underlined. When you move the mouse pointer over the link, it changes to a pointing finger. If you then click on the link, Word opens the subdocument in its own window.

When Word displays subdocuments as links, in Word terminology they (the subdocuments) are collapsed. When they are displayed as full files, they are expanded. To collapse your subdocuments, all you need to do is click your mouse on the Collapse Subdocuments tool on the Outline toolbar. If you later want to expand your subdocuments, you simply click your mouse on the Expand Subdocuments tool.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (882) 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

Determining the Current Directory

When creating macros, it is often necessary to know which directory is the default. Here's how you can find out by using ...

Discover More

Sorting for a Walking Tour

Want to sort addresses by even and odd numbers? By using a formula and doing a little sorting, Excel can return the ...

Discover More

Searching for Periods Not Followed by a Space

Most periods should be followed by at least one space. What if you think there may be some errors in how your post-period ...

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)

Removing a Subdocument from a Master Document

Just as you can add subdocuments to a master document, you can remove them. Doing so is relatively easy, and it doesn't ...

Discover More

Changing Subdocument Status

Creating a system of master documents and subdocuments can help with your productivity. What if you need to change ...

Discover More

Moving Master and Subdocuments

If you need to move master documents or subdocuments from one place to another on your computer, you have to keep in mind ...

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 7 + 9?

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.