Getting Help in Microsoft Office Applications

The on-line help included with each Microsoft Office application provides a wealth of useful information. The help system also offers several different ways to access and view help information. This document describes the help options available and explains how to customize them to suit your workstyle.

Contents
Using Clippit, the Microsoft Office Assistant
Modifying Clippit
Getting Help from the Help Window
Using ScreenTips
Getting Help from the Microsoft Office Update Website


Using Clippit, the Microsoft Office Assistant

When Microsoft Office is first installed, it automatically provides an animated Office Assistant to help you perform typical Office tasks. The default Office Assistant character is "Clippit", a friendly paper clip.

If you retain the default Office Assistant settings, Clippit will present help information and tips as you work, before you even ask a question. For example, if Clippit recognizes the task you are starting (e.g., writing a letter), he will ask if you want help performing the task. If you agree, Clippit will run a specialized Wizard application (e.g., the Letter Wizard) that provides guidance while you work on the task.

If you decide not to use the Wizard, Clippit will remain on your screen but not volunteer assistance again until you begin a new task. (Click here to learn how to disable or modify Clippit.)

Whenever you have a question about any Microsoft Office application, you can ask Clippit for help:

1. Click on Clippit's picture.
   
   
2. When the What would you like to do? window appears above Clippit, click on any of the topics listed there.
   
   
3. If none of the topics address your question, type the question in your own words into the white box at the bottom of the window, then click Search. For example, to get help creating a table, type How do I create a table into the Clippit window.
   
   
4. If the correct topic still doesn't appear in the window, click on None of the above, look for more help on the Web, at the end of the topic list. A new Help window will appear, containing:

• A link to a page of search tips
• A form for sending feedback to Microsoft about missing help information
• A link to the Microsoft Office Update website, where you can search for additional help

Clippit will also occasionally volunteer tips on how to use features or keyboard shortcuts more effectively. A tip is available whenever a yellow light bulb appears above Clippit. Just click on the light bulb to see the tip.

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Modifying Clippit

Note: Because the Office Assistant is shared by all Microsoft Office applications, any changes you make to Clippit in one application will also be reflected in the other Office applications.

To close Clippit's window at any time: press the Escape key.

To stop Clippit from guessing about the help you need:

1. Right-click on Clippit's picture, or click on the Options button in the Clippit window.
2. When the Office Assistant dialog box appears, click on the Options tab.
3. Uncheck the box beside Quess Help Topics.
4. You may also wish to uncheck various tip options.

To temporarily hide Clippit:

1. Right-click on Clippit's picture and select Hide from the pop-up menu.
2. Alternatively, select Hide the Office Assistant on the Help menu.

To bring Clippit back if he is hidden:

1. Click on the question-mark button on the toolbar.
2. Alternatively, select Show the Office Assistant on the Help menu.

To completely disable Clippit:

1. Click on the Options button in the Clippit window to bring up the Office Assistant dialog box.
2. Click on the Options tab.
3. Uncheck the box beside Use the Office Assistant.

To change the type of tips Clippit provides:

You can customize Clippit to support your preferred work style. For example, if you prefer to use the keyboard instead of the mouse, you can have Clippit display tips on shortcut keys. To change the type of tips provided:

1. Click on the Options button in the Clippit window to bring up the Office Assistant dialog box.
2. Click on the Options tab.
3. Review the available tip options. Check off the ones of interest to you and uncheck the others.

To select a different character for the Office Assistant:

1. Click on the Options button in the Clippit window to bring up the Office Assistant dialog box.
2. Click on the Gallery tab, and scroll to see the available characters.

Note: You will be unable to switch to a different character unless this feature was installed with Microsoft Office.

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Getting Help Using the Help Window

To obtain help information for any Office application, go to the Help menu and select Microsoft Help. If the Office Assistant is turned on, the Assistant will appear. If the Office Assistant is turned off, the Help window will appear.

The tabs in left side of the Help window provide three different ways to access information:

1. To select from a table of help topics, click the Contents tab .
2. To ask a question in your own words, click the Answer Wizard tab .
3. To search for specific words or phrases, click the Index tab.

The help information you requested will appear in the right side of the Help window.

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Using ScreenTips

• To see a ScreenTip for a menu command, toolbar button, or screen region, click What's This? on the Help menu, then click the item you want information about.
  
  
• To see a ScreenTip for a dialog box option, click the question mark button in the dialog box, then click the option. (If you don't see the question mark button, select the option and press SHIFT+F1.)
  
  
• To see the name of a toolbar button, rest the pointer on the button until the name appears.

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Getting Help from the Microsoft Office Update Website

You can connect to the Microsoft Office Update website and other Microsoft websites directly from any Office program by using the Office on the Web command on the Help menu. For example, you can access technical resources and download free product enhancements - all without leaving the Office program you're working in.

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