Microsoft KB Archive/230684

= WD2000: New Word Instance Appears to Run for Each Document =

PSS ID Number: 230684

Article Last Modified on 12/18/2001

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word 2000

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This article was previously published under Q230684



SYMPTOMS
When you create or open an additional document, another instance of Word appears to run.

NOTE: In earlier versions of Word, when multiple documents are opened, only one Word button appears on the Windows taskbar. However, in Word 2000, when multiple documents are opened, a separate button appears for each on the Windows taskbar.



CAUSE
Word 2000 uses 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 earlier versions of Word, which use the Multiple Document Interface (MDI), in which each document is a separate window within the Word program window.

In the Single Document Interface, only one instance of the Word program (Winword.exe) is running. To confirm this, do one of the following to display the Windows task list:
 * In Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, and Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.

-or-
 * In Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows 2000, either press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, or right-click an empty area of the Windows taskbar, and then click Task Manager.

NOTE: In Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows XP, and Microsoft Windows 2000, when you display the task list, you see every instance of an open document as a separate task on the Applications tab. However, when you click the Processes tab, you see one instance of Winword.exe running.

In Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows 98, when you press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, the Close Program dialog box shows only one instance of Microsoft Word.



MORE INFORMATION
Because Microsoft Word 2000 uses true Single Document Interface (SDI) technology and no longer supports Multiple Document Interface (MDI), SDI cannot be turned off in Microsoft Word 2000.

NOTE: It is possible to start a second instance of Microsoft Word when using a command-line switch. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

210565 WD2000: Word Startup (Command-Line) Switches and Their Purpose

NOTE: When using the Shell command in a Visual Basic for Applications macro, a second instance of Microsoft Word is not started. For additional information about how to use the Shell command to start a second instance of Microsoft Word, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

209910 WD2000: Shell Command Does Not Start Second Instance

Other Microsoft Office 2000 applications, such as Microsoft Excel, are capable of supporting MDI, and therefore SDI can be turned off in those applications.

To turn off SDI in Microsoft Excel 2000, Microsoft PowerPoint 2000, and Microsoft Access 2000, use the following steps:
 * 1) On the Tools menu, click Options.
 * 2) Click the View tab and clear the Windows in Taskbar check box.
 * 3) Click OK.

The Single Document Interface provides the following benefits:

Improved Navigation

Some 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 with WordMail

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, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

220288 WD2000: Arranging All Windows Closes Full Screen View

199666 WD2000: Windows NT Task Manager Shows All SDI Documents

209709 WD2000: Windows.Count Not Working As Expected with Print Preview

211385 WD2000: Find and Replace Won't Use Buttons on Formatting Toolbar

224717 WD2000: Clicking Hyperlink Opens File in New Window

238392 WD2000: Custom Toolbar Disappears After Mail Merge

232465 WD2000: Converting Macros from Microsoft Word 97 to Microsoft Word 2000

Microsoft welcomes suggestions or comments about changes in functionality and product design. For more information about how to submit suggestions, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

114491 How to Contact the Microsoft Wish Program

Additional query words: mdi different opens open instance

Keywords: kbprb KB230684

Technology: kbWord2000 kbWord2000Search kbWordSearch kbZNotKeyword2

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