Don't want to open a new file when launching or returning to application

[HS]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel Is it possible to set Word up so that it doesn't open a new, blank file every time you launch it or return to it from another application? I can't see how to do it in preferences. It's quite frustrating to have the desktop cluttered up in this way! The same thing applies in Excel, too.

 

[CyberTaz]

This is in compliance with Apple's guidelines for OS X. You might be able to
avoid it on launch with Apple Script, but IMHO, that's more trouble than
it's worth The document doesn't "clutter" anything. If you open another
document the blank one evaporates. You can also simply key Command+W to
close the blank document window.

To avoid it when switching back to Word simply don't click Word's Dock icon
-- That's more like re-launching the program, which is what the Dock is
intended for. Instead, use Command+Tab to toggle between the active
applications.

You can also just continue to hold Command after pressing Command+Tab, then
click the icon of the program you want to return to.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[HS]

The first document doesn't evaporate for me when I open another. However, I didn't know about the command+tab so thanks for that.

 

[CyberTaz]

True, If Word is already running with no open doc when you switch back to it
using the Dock icon the new file generated will not evaporate.

What I wrote though, is that the new one that's created *on launch* of the
program will evaporate when you open an existing file.

Glad the Command+Tab stroke is useful.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac