Toolbars not context sensitive

[Colin Higbie]

Are Word toolbars supposed to be context sensitive? I'm running Office XP and
mine don't change. I would think, for example, when I create a table, that the
standard toolbar would change or a secondary toolbar would open, giving access
to the Table commands. Same ought to be true for numbered lists (Outline
toolbar), etc.

I can right click near the toolbars and turn on the Tables and Borders
toolbar, but that seems an unnecessary step. Obviously Word knows if my cursor
is in a table or not, just like it knows if it's over a Bold word and selects
the B toolbar icon, or if the text is centered, or how the tab stops should
appear on the ruler, etc. All of these situations cause changes to the
standard toolbar or to the rulers.

This is how all the other big Windows companies make their software (Corel,
Lotus, etc.), so I know this is standard fare for a professional Windows
program, and I don't think anyone could question Microsoft's commitment to
making Windows programs.

Is this a limitation in Word and Office, or is this a problem unique to my
system? If it's a problem with my system, can anyone tell me how to fix this?

Thanks,
Colin

 

[tjtjjtjt]

Certain toolbars do pop u automatically. The picture toolbar often pops up when you insert (or select) a picture, for instance. The Standard and Formatting toolbars are not context-sensitive for most things, though.

----- Colin Higbie wrote: -----

Are Word toolbars supposed to be context sensitive? I'm running Office XP and
mine don't change. I would think, for example, when I create a table, that the
standard toolbar would change or a secondary toolbar would open, giving access
to the Table commands. Same ought to be true for numbered lists (Outline
toolbar), etc.

I can right click near the toolbars and turn on the Tables and Borders
toolbar, but that seems an unnecessary step. Obviously Word knows if my cursor
is in a table or not, just like it knows if it's over a Bold word and selects
the B toolbar icon, or if the text is centered, or how the tab stops should
appear on the ruler, etc. All of these situations cause changes to the
standard toolbar or to the rulers.

This is how all the other big Windows companies make their software (Corel,
Lotus, etc.), so I know this is standard fare for a professional Windows
program, and I don't think anyone could question Microsoft's commitment to
making Windows programs.

Is this a limitation in Word and Office, or is this a problem unique to my
system? If it's a problem with my system, can anyone tell me how to fix this?

Thanks,
Colin