How do I have multiple copies of WORD open using Office 2003

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Guest

I like to switch between documents in WORD. I would like to be able to use
task bar and have multilple copies of WORD open at the same time. I used to
do this in WORD 97 but since migrating to Office 2003, I haven't been able to
figure out how to open/run multiple WORD programs simultaneously.
 
It is quite difficult to get Word 2003 to open multiple copies, but easy to
gain the appearance of doing so - tools > options > view > windows in
taskbar.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

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It is quite difficult to get Word 2003 to open multiple copies,
but easy to gain the appearance of doing so -
tools > options > view > windows in taskbar.
Click to expand...

Is this different from Word 2002, which is all I know about? I easily
get the best of both worlds. I don't like "show windows in taskbar",
but I'll often run two or three separate windows by using different
shortcuts to open Word.

So one instance might have several letters and summaries for one
client, another instance a few chapters from a tech newsletter, and a
third instance a series of reports. Each instance has multiple
documents open, and there are three buttons in the taskbar, one for
each instance.

I think the MRU file list will display the status of the last instance
closed, but I haven't paid close enough attention to be sure.

If Word 2003 won't work like this, I'll never upgrade.

Andy
 
Explain to me how having three different instances of Word is somehow
preferable to having one instance of Word with three separate windows open -
which is what 'Windows in the taskbar' achieves. The types of document you
have open are irrelevant, and as one instance of Word has less processing
overhead than three versions, you could potentially have more open
documents. By opening more than one instance of Word you only succeed in
producing greater potential for conflict.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
 
I think Andy's explanation was pretty clear: each instance has several
documents open; there is one Taskbar button for each instance, and each
Taskbar button has several documents on it. This keeps different projects
pigeonholed. I can see how this would be convenient when you're
multi-tasking.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

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all may benefit.
 
Explain to me how having three different instances of Word is
somehow preferable to having one instance of Word with three
separate windows open - which is what 'Windows in the taskbar'
achieves. The types of document you have open are irrelevant, and
as one instance of Word has less processing overhead than three
versions, you could potentially have more open documents. By
opening more than one instance of Word you only succeed in
producing greater potential for conflict.
Click to expand...

For me, the types of documents that are open are very relevant. I
might be working on several projects whose files I have open at the
same time, and I don't want them all mixed in together. Say I have
a dozen open documents from 3 projects. I definitely don't want a
dozen different windows (and a dozen taskbar buttons), so 'Windows in
TaskBar' isn't a good alternative. And having all 12 docs in the same
window makes finding the doc I want cumbersome.

The processing overhead doesn't seem to be a problem on my machine -
everything happens quickly. Maybe because most of my files are on the
small side? The two potential conflicts that I have run into require
a little discipline on my part, which is a worthwhile tradeoff
(changes to normal.dot and the MRU file list).

It's really a very handy way to work. I have one instance where I
have the current Jones Summary, cover letter, and old Summaries.
In another instance I'm working on the current Smith Summary and cover
letter, and have the old Summaries open. Ctrl-W is Next Window,
Shift-Ctrl-W is Previous Window, so I can quickly page thru the Jones
files when I'm in that instance, or the Smith files in that instance.
I really don't want to get Smith and Jones mixed up. And because of
the way I name files, the two taskbar buttons say Smith... or Jones...

Another twist to this is that I use multiple desktops. So another
desktop might have an instance of Word where I am working on a
Treasurer's Report and Alt-Tabbing between Word, Excel, and Quicken.


Andy
 
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