What Is the Insert Dialog Box in Word 2007?

Microsoft Word 2007 replaced the old system of Word menus and dialog boxes with "tabs"---different collections of buttons and options that can be displayed on the "Ribbon" at the top of the Word window. The Insert tab, replacing the Insert menu and dialog box, is one of these.

Insert

The Insert functions in Word have traditionally been anything that involves placing a particular element at the location of the cursor in the document: a picture, a symbol, a section or page break, a variable field, etc. Clicking the "Insert" tab now fills up the Ribbon with buttons corresponding to these various items.

Sections

The Insert tab contains several sections: "Tables," "Illustrations," "Links," "Header & Footer," "Text" and "Symbols," most containing multiple buttons. Many of these buttons will bring up dialog boxes that were once sub-windows of the Insert dialog box in earlier Word versions.

Removing the Ribbon

You cannot replace Word 2007's Ribbon with the earlier style of menus and dialog boxes. You can, however, minimize the Ribbon and free up space on your screen. Click the drop-down arrow to the right of the Quick Access Toolbar just above the Ribbon, and select "Minimize the Ribbon."

References

• Learning Computer: Microsoft Word 2007 - Insert Tab
• Microsoft: Use the Ribbon