Article ID: 291313 - View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q291313
When you create or open an additional document, another instance of Word appears to run.
Note In earlier versions of Microsoft Word, when multiple documents are opened, only one Word button appears on the Microsoft Windows taskbar. However, in Microsoft Word 2000 and in later versions of Word, when multiple documents are opened, a separate button appears for each document on the Windows taskbar.
By default, versions of Word that are later than Microsoft Word 97 use the Single Document Interface (SDI) design, in which each document occupies its own window (just as in Microsoft Outlook each message occupies its own window). This behavior is different from Word 97 and earlier versions of Word, which use the Multiple Document Interface (MDI), in which each document is a separate window within the Word program window. SDI was introduced in Word 2000.
In the Single Document Interface, only one instance of the Word program (Winword.exe) is running. To confirm this, do either of the following to display the Windows task list:
In Microsoft Windows 98 and in Microsoft Windows Millenium Edition, when you press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, the Close Program dialog box shows only one instance of Microsoft Word.
In Microsoft Windows XP, there is an option called Group similar taskbar buttons (right-click the Windows taskbar, and then click Properties). With this option selected (default), you can group multiple buttons into one button.
For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
281629You can start a second instance of Microsoft Word when you are using a command-line switch.
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281629/ )Description of the "Group similar taskbar buttons" option
For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
210565Because Word 2000 uses true SDI technology and no longer supports MDI, SDI cannot be turned off in Word 2000. Other Microsoft Office 2000 applications, such as Microsoft Excel 2000, can support MDI. Therefore, SDI can be turned off in those applications.
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/210565/ )How to use startup command line switches to start Word 2007, Word 2003, Word 2002, and Word 2000
The ability to turn off SDI was added to Word in versions of Microsoft Office that are later than Office 2000. MDI is now supported in Word and in the other Office applications. This functionality is controlled by the Windows in Taskbar option.
To turn SDI on or off, follow these steps, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:
Microsoft Office Word 2007
Microsoft Office Word 2003 and earlier versions of Word
Benefits of SDIThe Single Document Interface provides the following benefits:
Improved navigationSome users found the Window menu in earlier versions of Word to be counter-intuitive. Documents became "lost" behind other open documents, and document window management was confusing to use. Having each document in a separate window with a Microsoft Windows taskbar icon for each document makes navigation easier.
Improved performance in WordMailNote This section does not apply to Word 2007. Word 2007 is the only e-mail editor in Outlook 2007.
The Single Document Interface makes it easier and more convenient to send messages directly from Word.
For additional information about Single Document Interface and Word 2000, Word 2002 and Word 2003, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/220288/ )A full-screen view window changes to a non-full-screen view window if you arrange all windows in Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/199666/ )Windows NT Task Manager shows all SDI documents
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/209709/ )Windows.Count returns the value 1 in Word 2003, Word 2002, and Word 2000
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/211385/ )Find and Replace won't use buttons on Formatting toolbar in Word
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/224717/ )A document opens in a new window when you click a hyperlink in Word 2003, Word 2002, or Word 2000
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/238392/ )Custom toolbar disappears after mail merge
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/232465/ )Converting macros from Microsoft Word 97 to Microsoft Word 2000
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827889/ )Several features that affect macros have been changed from Word 2000 to Word 2003
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827890/ )Several features that affect macros have been changed from Word 97 to Word 2003