Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 9, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
There is no intrinsic command within Word that allows you to rename documents or files, as there is in some other programs. It is true that you can simply save a document out under a new name, but that results in two files on your drive instead of one. You can use the following steps to rename a document quickly and easily, all within Word:
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2024-03-09 05:12:25
Ian Hills
Dear Allen
I think I have discovered a way to change the name of a Word document with the document file open (I find it more convenient not to close the file first). I have only tried it on Word for Mac, so I don't know if it works with other versions.
With the document you want to rename open:
1. Right click on the title of the document displayed in the grey area at the very top. This will display the filepath as a drop down.
2, Left click on the first item in the filepath list. This will display a dialog box containing the list of files in that filepath.
3.Right click on the file you want to rename and select 'rename' in the dropdown.
4.Change the name and press enter.
5.Close the dialog box. This returns you to the open document. After you make any change to that document the new filename appears in the grey area at the top of the page.
I hope you find this useful.
Ian
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