File Tab & Ribbon

Last updated: September 27, 2013

In Word 2010, the Office button office button has been replaced by a modification of the familiar File menuFile Tab.  If you are upgrading to 2010 from 2007, not much of the interface has changed.  However, if you are upgrading from an older version of Word, you may be unfamiliar with the new interface, which will be explained in the sections below. Seven tabs are displayed across the top-left of the window. When you select a tab, a number of options will be displayed as buttons with text labels and picture icons for easy identification. The tabs and their options are known as the Ribbon. The options are organized under the tabs in groups of related features. You can expand the groups by clicking the arrow group arrow in the right of the group box.

Office File Menu

The familiar menus and toolbars have also been replaced. Seven tabs are displayed across the top left of the window. Each tab is connected to a number of options. The tabs and their options are known as the Ribbon. By selecting a tab, the options are displayed on buttons with text labels and picture icons for quick identification. The options are organized under the tabs in groups of related features. You can expand the groups by clicking the arrow in the right of the group box.

The Shortcut Menu

The most common Word commands and functions can be accessed quickly by using the shortcut menu. To access this feature, simply right-click the element you wish to edit if you are using a PC, or control-click the element you wish to edit if you are using a Mac. The options displayed will vary depending on the element you have selected. For example, when text is right-clicked or control-clicked, the shortcut menu below will open.

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