Office 2003 Basics: Open an Existing File

Lesson 9: Open an Existing File

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Introduction

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Open an existing file in an Office 2003 program

Opening an existing file

Once you've saved a file, you will want to open it.

To open a file:

  • Choose FileOpen from the menu bar (Ctrl+O).

    Opening a file via the File menu
  • The Open dialog box appears.

    Word 2003's Open dialog box

OR

  • Click the Open button Open button on the Standard toolbar.
  • The Open dialog box appears.

The Open dialog box

Use the Open dialog box to find the file you want to open. Use the buttons along the left side of the dialog box or the Look in drop-down box to navigate to where your existing file is located. Use the arrow buttons to move between levels of folders.

Word 2003's Open dialog box

When you've located the file you want to open:

  • Single-click on the file icon, then click the Open button. Open button
  • The file opens.

OR

  • Double-click the file icon.
  • The file opens.

Word 2003's Open dialog box

Opening an existing file using the task pane

To open an existing file using the task pane:

  • Open an Office 2003 program (excluding Outlook 2003).
  • Open the Task Pane by choosing ViewToolbarsTask Pane from the menu bar.
  • The New Task Pane opens on the right side of your screen.
  • Single-click the file name you want to open.
  • The file opens.
  • If you don't see the file you want to open listed, click More...
  • The Open dialog box opens.
  • Look for your file using the Open dialog box.

Word 2003's New Task Pane

Challenge!

  • Open Word 2003.
  • Practice opening an existing file using FileOpen, the Open button, and the New task pane.
  • Close each file you open.
  • Exit Word.

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