Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 5, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Beth notes that in Word 2003, if she did not recall the name of a document or where it was filed, she could search for it by specific text that she knew was in the document. She could do this either from the Tools menu or from the Open dialog box. Beth wonders if there is a way to do this in later versions of Word.
The short answer is yes, there is a way. If you display the Open dialog box, you'll see a search box at the upper-right corner. Type in what you want to find, and Word goes to work trying to find documents that match your search criteria. Depending on which version of Word you are using, you may need to click the small icon that looks like a magnifying glass to start the search process.
The longer answer is no, there is not as "full featured" of a search available in Word as there used to be in older versions of the program. Instead, more in-depth searching has been abandoned in Word itself in favor of the search capabilities of Windows. If you haven't used Windows' search capabilities, you may want to check it out. They will out-perform anything you used to be able to do in previous versions of Word.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (7138) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 365 applications with VBA programming. Written in clear terms and understandable language, the book includes systematic tutorials and contains both intermediate and advanced content for experienced VB developers. Designed to be comprehensive, the book addresses not just one Office application, but the entire Office suite. Check out Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 365 today!
Word allows you to specify where it should start looking for your documents. This setting can come in handy if you store ...
Discover MoreWord allows you to save your documents in PDF format so others can easily view them. You may not know, however, that Word ...
Discover MoreWhen working with lots of documents, you may have need from time to time to discover which of those documents contain ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2020-09-05 11:05:58
Jane Lawson
For Word 2016, the Search box is only available if you select "This PC" from the options at the left
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments