Open a Word Document

Before you can make changes to a saved document, you must open it. If the Start screen appears when you open Word, a list of the documents you most recently worked on appears along the left side of the window. If the document you want is on the list, click the document name to open it; otherwise, click Open Other Documents at the bottom of the list to display the Open screen. This is the same screen that appears when you click File and then Open from within Word. You can use this screen to open your document.

If you are in Word, you click File and then choose Open to open a saved document. Documents you have recently used appear on the Recent Documents list. If the document you want to open is not on the list and you stored it on your computer’s hard drive or on SkyDrive, you need to choose Computer or select your SkyDrive account to locate the document. Recent folders appear on the right side of the window, along with a Browse option. To find a document you recently used, look in the list of recent folders; use the Browse option to search all of the folders on your computer or use the Browse option to search all of the folders on SkyDrive.

Open Word and then Open a Recent Document

1. Open Word. The start screen appears.
2. Click the name of the recent document you want to open. Word opens the document.

Open Word and then Open a Document That You Have Not Opened Recently.

1. Open Word. The start screen appears.
2. Click Open Other Documents. The Open screen appears.
3. Click the document location.
4. Click Browse.
5. If the file is located in a folder, double-click folder names until you get to the folder in which the file is located.
6. Double-click the file name. Word opens the file.

While in Word Open a Document on the Recent Documents List

1. Choose the File tab. Word moves to Backstage view. A menu appears along the left side of the window.
2. Choose Open. The Open screen appears. The Recent Documents list appears on the right side of the window.
3. Click the document you want to open. Word opens the document.

While in Word Open a Document on Your Hard Drive Located in a Recent Folder

1. Choose the File tab. Word moves to Backstage view. A menu appears along the left side of the window.
2. Choose Open. The Open screen appears.
3. Click Computer. Recently used folders appear.
4. Click the folder where the file is located. The Open dialog box opens.
5. Click the file name.
6. Click Open. Word opens the file.

While in Word Open a Document on your Hard Drive

1. Choose the File tab. Word moves to Backstage view. A menu appears along the left side of the window.
2. Click Open. The Open screen appears.
3. Click Computer.
4. Click Browse.
5. Locate the folder where the file is located.
6. Click the file name.
7. Click Open. Word opens the file.

While in Word Open a Document on Your SkyDrive Located in a Recent Folder

1. Choose the File tab. Word moves to Backstage view. A menu appears along the left side of the window.
2. Click Open. The Open screen appears.
3. Log in to SkyDrive, if you are not already logged in.
4. Click your SkyDrive account. Recently used folders appear.
5. Click the folder where the file is located.
6. Click the file name.
7. Click Open. Word opens the file.

While in Word Open a Document on Your SkyDrive

1. Choose the File tab. Word moves to Backstage view. A menu appears along the left side of the window.
2. Click Open. The Open screen appears.
3. Log in to SkyDrive, if you are not already logged in.
4. Click your SkyDrive account.
5. Click Browse.
6. Move to the folder where the file is located.
7. Click the file name.
8. Click Open. Word opens the file.

Can I have more than one document open at the same time?

Yes. To change the document you are viewing: 1) Click the View tab. 2) Click Switch Windows. A menu of open documents appears. 3) Click the document you want.