The Navigation Pane in Microsoft Word

The Navigation Pane in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word’s Navigation Pane has been around for over 10 years, but many people have only started using it recently. Once you begin using the Navigation Pane, you will begin to see just how it can make your life easier. The Navigation Pane can be used to find all cases of a specific word, phrase, or formatting mark in the document you are working with.

As you explore the features of the Navigation Pane, you will realize that the Navigation Pane allows you to navigate the document using:

• Headings – a new and improved version of the old Document Map
• Pages – a new name for the thumbnails of the previous versions of Microsoft Word
• Search results

The Navigation Pane also allows you to do the following:

• Choose the depth of Headings.
• Reorganize content. When you drag a Heading to a new location, the Heading and the content under the Heading will be moved.
• Delete content. When you delete a Heading, the Heading and all the content under it will be deleted.
• Add new Headings and Sub-Headings. The new headings will be added to the document.
• Print a Heading.
• Duplicate a Heading.

Opening the Navigation Pane

To open the Navigation Pane, find the View menu in the Ribbon and click the Navigation Pane checkbox. The Navigation Pane will be found on the left. The Navigation pane in Word allows you to quickly make your way through your documents. If you are using Read Mode, select the Navigation Pane from the View tab’s drop-down menu.

Finding Text Using the Navigation Pane

To search for text in Word using the Navigation Pane in Word, choose a search term or a phrase to enter into the search bar in the Navigation Pane. As you type a term or phrase in the search bar, Word will automatically search your document for matching text. Matching results will then be highlighted in your document. You can also navigate to the Results section located underneath the search bar. By doing this, you will be able to see all the matching text. However, it is important to remember that every result may not show up on the results page, especially if there are too many matches.

Using the Navigation Pane to Navigate a Document in Word

To make your way through your Word document using Headings or Pages, you can click Headings or Pages that can be found under the search bar. You can also click on a heading or a page to land on that heading or page in Word.

Moving, Resizing, and Closing the Navigation Pane in Word

• When you want to move, resize or close the Navigation Pane, you can click the downward-facing arrow located in the upper-right corner.
• When you want to move the Navigation Pane, choose Move from the drop-down menu.
• From there, you can click and drag the Navigation Pane with your mouse to move the pane.
• If the mouse button is released while it is hanging over the document area, it will appear floating over the document area.
• The Navigation Pane can continue to float or the Navigation Pane can be docked to the right side or the left side of the application window.
• To make changes to the size of the Navigation Pane in Word, choose the Size button from the drop-down menu until your mouse pointer becomes a two-headed arrow.
• Next, you can adjust the size of the Navigation Pane by clicking and dragging it with your mouse.
• When you want to close the Navigation Pane, choose the Close button from the drop-down menu. You can also click the X in the upper-right corner.

These tips can be incredibly useful when you are working with a long document. Looking for more interesting Microsoft Word tips? Contact K2 Technologies.