OFFXP: No Apparent Keyboard Command to Close the Task Pane (280540)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2002
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
  • Microsoft Publisher 2002
  • Microsoft Word 2002

This article was previously published under Q280540

SYMPTOMS

When you use keyboard commands to open the task pane in a Microsoft Office XP program (press ALT+F, and then press N), you may be unable to close it with a keyboard command as expected.

RESOLUTION

To close the task pane with keyboard commands, follow these steps:
  1. Start any Office XP program, and then press ALT+V.

    Notice that the View menu opens.
  2. Press the letter T to select Toolbars.

    Notice that the Toolbars menu opens.
  3. Repeatedly press the DOWN ARROW key to select Task Pane.
  4. Press ENTER. The task pane closes.

WORKAROUND

To close the task pane using the mouse pointer, click the Close button in the top right corner of the task pane.

MORE INFORMATION

Task panes are a new feature in Office XP. They appear as fixed dialog boxes set to the side of the screen in an Office XP program. Task panes provide a common area for those commands that may require more information or options than a simple toolbar can provide.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/16/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB280540