Unable to Activate Office Shortcut Bar with ALT+TAB Keys

• Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Office for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

When you use the ALT+TAB key combination (to switch between open programs) the Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar may not be activated. Similarly, the Office Shortcut Bar may not appear on the Microsoft Windows 95 taskbar.

CAUSE

If either of the following conditions are true, you cannot use the ALT+TAB key combination or the Windows taskbar to access the Office Shortcut Bar:

• The "Always On Top" check box is selected.

  To find out if this check box is selected, right-click the Office Shortcut Bar, click Customize on the shortcut menu, and then click the View tab. Under Options, look at the "Always On Top" check box to see if it is selected.

  -or-

• The Office Shortcut Bar is docked on the side of the screen.

  When the Office Shortcut Bar is docked on the side of the screen it is visible unless "Auto Hide between uses" is enabled. If you select "Auto Hide between uses," move your mouse to the side of the screen where the Office Shortcut Bar is docked. The Office Shortcut Bar appears. To change the Auto Hide property, right-click the Office Shortcut Bar, click Customize on the shortcut menu, and then click the View tab. Under Options, look at the "Auto Hide between uses" check box to see if it is selected.

STATUS

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Office. When you cannot use the ALT+TAB key combination or the Windows 95 taskbar to activate the Office Shortcut Bar you can easily access it another way.