Microsoft – Open office application to empty document

Microsoft – Open office application to empty document

Problem

By default Microsoft Office apps open to a Start screen rather than an empty document.  A user may wish to restore this behaviour to their Microsoft Office applications. 

Applies to

  1. Microsoft office

Resolution

Some users may find the start screen unhelpful when they first launch one of the Microsoft Office applications and they would prefer the applications open  straight to a blank document ready to start working.  This type of adjustment is frequently asked for by screen reader users who find the office sart screen.backstage area diffficult to navigate.

Using the mouse

  1. Click File > Options > General.
  2. Scroll down to Show the start screen when this application starts.
  3. Then click to uncheck the option, then click OK button.  In future the application will open to a blank document when it is launched.


Using the keyboard

  1. Press ALT+F to open File menu and choose Options, then press ENTER.
  2. In the Options dialogue press tab until you reach the checkbox ‘Show the start screen when this application starts’ then press SPACEBAR to uncheck it.  In future the application will open to a blank document when it is launched.