Task Pane Features and Uses

The Task Pane gives the user quick access to common tools and tasks such as searching for clip art, finding help, and formatting your documents. Use the Task Pane to provide shortcuts to features you use often.

Word 2003 Task Pane

Enable the Task Pane by clicking "View" at the top left of the window, then check Task Pane. Click the "Getting Started" header on the Task Pane to select additional categories.

Word 2003 Task Pane Features

Access common Word 2003 features quickly with the Task Pane. The "Getting Started" category provides access to recent documents and searches, and "Clip Art" allows you to find images and symbols to insert in your documents. "Styles and Formatting" allows text and layout changes.

Word 2007 and 2010 Task Pane

Microsoft replaced the single Task Pane with the Ribbon across the top of the window for 2007 and 2010 versions of the software. Clicking the small angular arrow symbol at the bottom right corner of a category will provide quick access to additional features.

Additional Office Products

The Task Pane and Ribbon are also accessible in the other components of Microsoft's Office Suite such as Excel and PowerPoint. Access the Task Pane and common features the same way you do in Word when using these other programs.

Source:

Word 2003 Support

Word 2007 Support

Task Pane FAQ's

Resource:

Microsoft Office Home Page