Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Shortcut for Full-Screen Mode.

Shortcut for Full Screen Reading View

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated July 15, 2016)

6

Word includes a full-screen mode that minimizes the extraneous information (tools, menus, etc.) displayed on the screen. The normal way of switching to full-screen mode is to display the View tab of the ribbon and click Full Screen Reading in the Document Views group. (You can also click the Full Screen Reading view icon near the right side of the Status bar.) You exit the mode by either clicking the Close button (upper-right corner of the screen) or by pressing Esc.

If you prefer, you can create a shortcut to enter Full Screen Reading view. To create your own shortcut, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Office button and then click Word Options. Word displays the Word Options dialog box.
  2. At the left side of the dialog box click Customize (Word 2007) or Customize Ribbon (later versions of Word). (See Figure 1.)

    3. Figure 1. The customize options of the Word Options dialog box.

  3. Click the Customize button, near the bottom of the dialog box. Word displays the Customize Keyboard dialog box. (See Figure 2.)

    4. Figure 2. The Customize Keyboard dialog box.

  4. In the list of Categories, choose View Tab.
  5. In the list of Commands, choose ReadingModeLayout.
  6. Place the insertion point in the Press New Shortcut Key box.
  7. Press the shortcut key you want to use, such as Alt+S.
  8. Click Assign.
  9. Close the dialog boxes.

Now you can use your shortcut key to easily activate Full Screen Reading view.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (7877) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Shortcut for Full-Screen Mode.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He  is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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Comments

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What is nine minus 4?

2018-04-13 04:32:32

Peter M.

Thank for you site, which has often helped me.

I am trying to emulate the full screen from wordwin 2003 with alt-v followed by pressing "u". But in 2003 you can press "alt" and get a horisontal menu in top. I cannot see that possibility in 2016. Do you know, if there is such a possibility?

2016-05-02 13:18:02

John Doe

Press ALT+V, then U..
Esc to exit.
It allows you to zoom in and out of the page without modifying the font size.

2015-07-28 12:25:36

major55@bk.ru

Thank you so much! It's a great tip indeed! :)

2013-07-22 02:19:13

Satheesh

really a great tip. thanks a lot..

2013-04-21 10:14:12

Jorge Rodrigues

I liked it very much. Thank you!!! :)

2013-04-20 05:30:52

Surendera M. Bhanot

I like it. This will be valid for assigning the keyboard Shortcuts for the other commands/actions.

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