WD2000: New Word Instance Appears to Run for Each Document

ID: Q230684

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 2000

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, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to display the Windows task list. Only one instance of Microsoft Word is listed.

NOTE: For users of Windows NT 4.x, when you press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to display the task list, you see every instance of an open document as a separate task on the Applications tab. However, clicking the Processes tab shows one instance of Winword.exe currently running.

MORE INFORMATION

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

Q114491 How to Contact the Microsoft Wish Program

Because Word 2000 uses true Single Document Interface (SDI) technology and no longer supports Multiple Document Interface (MDI), SDI cannot be turned off in Word 2000. Other Office 2000 applications, such as Excel, are capable of supporting MDI, and therefore SDI can be turned off in those applications.

To turn off SDI in Excel 2000, PowerPoint 2000, and Access 2000, use the following steps:

On the Tools menu, click Options.

Click the View tab and clear the Windows in Taskbar check box.

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:

Q220288 WD2000: Arranging All Windows Closes Full Screen View

Q199666 WD2000: Windows NT Task Manager Shows All SDI Documents

Q209910 WD2000: Shell Command Does Not Start Second Instance

Q209709 WD2000: Windows.Count Not Working As Expected with Print Preview

Q211385 WD2000: Find and Replace Won't Use Buttons on Formatting Toolbar

Q224717 WD2000: Clicking Hyperlink Opens File in New Window

Q238392 WD2000: Custom Toolbar Disappears After Mail Merge

Q232465 WD2000: Converting Macros from Microsoft Word 97 to Microsoft Word 2000

Additional query words: mdi different opens open instance

Keywords : kbdta wd2000 WDDtir
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb