Opening a Document in Word 2010

Opening New Document

A new, blank document always opens when you start Microsoft Word. Suppose you want to start another new document while you are working on another document, or you closed an already opened document and want to start a new document. Here are the steps to open a new document −

Step 1 − Click the File tab and select the New option.

Step 2 − When you select the New option from the first column, it will display a list of templates in the second column. Double-click on the Blank document; this is the first option in the template list. We will discuss the other templates available in the list in the following chapters.

You should have your blank document as shown below. The document is now ready for you to start typing your text.

You can use a shortcut to open a blank document anytime. Try using the Ctrl + N keys and you will see a new blank document similar to the one in the above screenshot.

Opening Existing Document

There may be a situation when you open an existing document and edit it partially or completely. Follow the steps given below to open an existing document −

Step 1 − Click the File tab and select the Open option.

Step 2 − This will display the following file Open dialog box. This lets you navigate through different folders and files, and also lets you select a file which you want to open.

Step 3 − Finally, locate and select a file which you want to open and click the small triangle available on the Open button to open the file. You will have different options to open the file, but simply use the Open option.

This will open your selected file. You can use the Open Read-Only option if you are willing just to read the file and you have no intention to modify, i.e., edit the file. Other options can be used for advanced usage.