Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 6, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Word includes a complete help system that you can use to answer most questions on how the program operates. This system is context-sensitive, meaning the help you receive will vary, depending on the context in which the help was requested. Word provides a fast way to ask for context-sensitive help. The ways in which you access this help varies, depending on your version of Word.
In some versions of Word, you can press Shift+F1 to display a question mark over the mouse cursor. Use the cursor to point to the item for which you need help. When you click on the left mouse button, the help system is displayed, with specific information about whatever you clicked on.
In other versions of Word, the Shift+F1 approach simply brings up the help system to whatever is appropriate for the context in which the shortcut is used. In still other versions, Shift+F1 will not work, but you can click the question-mark icon that appears in the upper-right corner of the dialog box in order to see the question-mark-enhanced cursor.
Regardless of the method used in your version of Word, the bottom line is that context-sensitive help is available, and you can access it through one or more of these methods. You should check out what is available to you, so that you can get the help you need when you need it.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1178) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2019. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2019 For Dummies today!
Text boundaries can help you better visualize where text can appear in your document. The feature is easy to turn on and ...
Discover MoreNeed to work with two different parts of a document at the same time? The answer is to rely on Word's ability to display ...
Discover MoreHow to find your setting information in Word.
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments