opening multiple docs in Word for Mac

Deb W. · Deb W. #1 (**permalink**)

01-11-2011, 04:00 PM

I hope this is a simple problem... If I have a doc open in Word for Mac and then want to open an additional doc, the second doc opens behind the first doc. I want to change the settings so that when I open a file, it opens on top of the previous file I already had open.

This only happens in Word for doc. If I open any other windows for other programs, they always open on top of whatever I already have open. Any suggestions?

Buzzard2010 · Buzzard2010 #2 (**permalink**)

01-11-2011, 04:04 PM

Just opened Word to have a look at the settings and can't find anything in there that could help with this issue i'm afraid it may be something you have to live with.

- Simon

yogi · yogi #3 (**permalink**)

01-11-2011, 04:36 PM

I just tested it on Word for Mac 2011 and don't see this behavior? Are you on Office 2008?

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

01-11-2011, 05:51 PM

I can't imagine what it is you're doing because I don't see that behavior in either Office 2008 nor 2011. I just tried again and again with multiple documents and the last document opened always opens on top. It's the same with the Windows version Office 2010.

redraven571 · redraven571 #5 (**permalink**)

01-12-2011, 11:45 AM

I just checked with Office 08 on my mbp, the latest doc opens on top.

toMACsh · toMACsh #6 (**permalink**)

01-12-2011, 01:09 PM

My new docs open on top as well. Office 2004

CrimsonRequiem · CrimsonRequiem #7 (**permalink**)

01-12-2011, 01:26 PM

Command ~ to cycle through them?

sarahmahoney · sarahmahoney #8 (**permalink**)

02-25-2011, 05:12 PM

I have the same problem, documents open on top and then immediately flash to behind the document I already had open. I have found others with the same problem on the internet, but no solution.

I am using Word 2008 version 12.2.8

Does anyone know if this is because I am not using spaces?

It is really annoying.

Thank you CrimsonRequiem being able to toggle through them will help, even if it does not exactly solve the problem.

toMACsh · toMACsh #9 (**permalink**)

02-25-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahmahoney

I have the same problem, documents open on top and then immediately flash to behind the document I already had open. I have found others with the same problem on the internet, but no solution.

I am using Word 2008 version 12.2.8

Does anyone know if this is because I am not using spaces?

I doubt it, but one way to find out is to activate Spaces. I use Spaces, and Office 2004, but for a long time, I had deactivated Spaces. This has not changed the behavior of Word at all.

chscag · chscag #10 (**permalink**)

02-25-2011, 09:26 PM

I just tried again and can't get the last document opened to open any other way except on top. And no, Spaces isn't going to make any difference.

Are you opening your documents in "Print View" mode or some other view? I use the Print View mode for all my documents. I don't doubt you're having this problem, it's just that I can't duplicate it on my system.

Stanley · Stanley #11 (**permalink**)

02-25-2011, 09:39 PM

Could there be some sort of preference or other setting elsewhere (outside of Word) that could affect things? It's puzzling that some do or don't have the issue.

6string · 6string #12 (**permalink**)

02-25-2011, 09:45 PM

Hmmm... could be Stanley.
Perhaps try quitting word, dragging com.microsoft.Word.plist to the desktop.
You will find this in user/library/preferences.
Relaunch word and see what happens.

toMACsh · toMACsh #13 (**permalink**)

02-26-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6string

Perhaps try quitting word, dragging com.microsoft.Word.prefs.plist to the desktop.
You will find this in Users/YouruserName/Library/Preferences/Microsoft.
Relaunch word and see what happens.

Fixed that for you.

(Some folks might not equate "user" with their Home Folder, since there is a Users folder.)

I have the file without "prefs" in the Preferences folder. I just moved it out and opened a Word file. A new plist was not created. I think the one in the Microsoft folder is the one you want.

MackOrPeeSee · MackOrPeeSee #14 (**permalink**)

11-16-2012, 03:51 PM

An end-user was having a similar issue (but I'm not sure if this applies to OP's problem).

I found out that Office 2011 will reopen its previous state; meaning if you have (for example) six Word files open as you close Word, the next time you open any Word document it will reopen those same six documents no matter what.

Simply close all six documents individually before you close Word as a program.

Buzzard2010 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2010 Location: Bakewell, UK Posts: 2,532 Mac Specs: iMac G3 800MHz :D \| PowerMac G4 \| MacBook Pro 15" 2.8GHz C2D 500GB HDD 4GB 9600M / 9600M GT 10.7.1	01-11-2011, 04:04 PM Just opened Word to have a look at the settings and can't find anything in there that could help with this issue i'm afraid it may be something you have to live with. - Simon Rest In Peace Steven Paul Jobs February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011 [aged 56] If you have been helped, don't forget to use the Reputation system just above the post to the right. May 2011 Nominated: March 2011 & April 2011
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,032 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	01-11-2011, 05:51 PM I can't imagine what it is you're doing because I don't see that behavior in either Office 2008 nor 2011. I just tried again and again with multiple documents and the last document opened always opens on top. It's the same with the Windows version Office 2010. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

CrimsonRequiem #7 (permalink)
Inactive Staff Member Since: Jul 24, 2008 Posts: 5,958 Mac Specs: MBP 2.3 Ghz 4GB RAM 860 GB SSD, iMac 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 32GB RAM, Fusion Drive 1TB	01-12-2011, 01:26 PM Command ~ to cycle through them? 死神はリンゴしか食べない。
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,032 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	02-25-2011, 09:26 PM I just tried again and can't get the last document opened to open any other way except on top. And no, Spaces isn't going to make any difference. Are you opening your documents in "Print View" mode or some other view? I use the Print View mode for all my documents. I don't doubt you're having this problem, it's just that I can't duplicate it on my system. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

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Deb W. #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 11, 2011 Posts: 1	01-11-2011, 04:00 PM I hope this is a simple problem... If I have a doc open in Word for Mac and then want to open an additional doc, the second doc opens behind the first doc. I want to change the settings so that when I open a file, it opens on top of the previous file I already had open. This only happens in Word for doc. If I open any other windows for other programs, they always open on top of whatever I already have open. Any suggestions?
	QUOTE Thanks

redraven571 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 08, 2010 Posts: 9	01-12-2011, 11:45 AM I just checked with Office 08 on my mbp, the latest doc opens on top.
	QUOTE Thanks

toMACsh #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 30, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,811 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core 2 Duo	01-12-2011, 01:09 PM My new docs open on top as well. Office 2004
	QUOTE Thanks

sarahmahoney #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 25, 2011 Posts: 1	02-25-2011, 05:12 PM I have the same problem, documents open on top and then immediately flash to behind the document I already had open. I have found others with the same problem on the internet, but no solution. I am using Word 2008 version 12.2.8 Does anyone know if this is because I am not using spaces? It is really annoying. Thank you CrimsonRequiem being able to toggle through them will help, even if it does not exactly solve the problem.
	QUOTE Thanks

Stanley #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 31, 2009 Posts: 291	02-25-2011, 09:39 PM Could there be some sort of preference or other setting elsewhere (outside of Word) that could affect things? It's puzzling that some do or don't have the issue.
	QUOTE Thanks

6string #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 09, 2009 Location: Down Under :D Posts: 5,484 Mac Specs: Back to my old 2.2GHz C2D MB after selling my MBP and wondering what my next Mac will be :)	02-25-2011, 09:45 PM Hmmm... could be Stanley. Perhaps try quitting word, dragging com.microsoft.Word.plist to the desktop. You will find this in user/library/preferences. Relaunch word and see what happens.
	QUOTE Thanks

MackOrPeeSee #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 16, 2012 Posts: 1	11-16-2012, 03:51 PM An end-user was having a similar issue (but I'm not sure if this applies to OP's problem). I found out that Office 2011 will reopen its previous state; meaning if you have (for example) six Word files open as you close Word, the next time you open any Word document it will reopen those same six documents no matter what. Simply close all six documents individually before you close Word as a program.
	QUOTE Thanks

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