File>Open>New problems

[V-ger]

In Word (2003/Win XP) I can no longer use the File>Open>right-click>choose
"New" function to open a new "Document #" from a template. It gives me an
error message that reads that the function cannot be performed while the
dialog box is open. I cannot use the OPEN button, there is not selection for
"NEW" and double clicking it onlyy opens the document itself. How can I get
my shortcut menu working again? Is there a keystroke for Open>New? Is there a
change in the registry I can make? I wish I could just move all of my clients
templates but that is NOT an option. Anyone know how I can get this shortcut
to work again? Please don't reply if you don't know how. Thank you for your
help.

 

[Jay Freedman]

If you want a new blank document, you shouldn't be using File > Open at all.
Use File > New to be able to choose from a selection of templates, or the
shortcut Ctrl+N (*not* in any dialog, just in the main window) to create a
new one based on Normal.dot.

If you insist on using the "wrong" dialog, though, the trick is to
right-click a blank area in the middle of the dialog, *not* while any file
is highlighted. You'll get a different menu, on which there should be a
choice for "Microsoft Word Document" (and several other kinds of Office
documents). Select that choice to create a new icon in the dialog, give it a
name, and then click Open while it's selected.