How to Create a Custom Screen Tip in Microsoft Word

In Microsoft Word, there is a feature that is called a "ScreenTip" that will tell you the name or information about a Word feature when you hover the mouse over that feature. By following the steps outlined below, you can create a custom screen tip that you can use in your Word document.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Word 2003

Instructions

Enable ScreenTips

1. Start Microsoft Word and open an existing document that contains a word or phrase that you would like to use to create a custom screen tip.

2. Verify that you have enabled the option for screen tips to show up by choosing the "Tools" menu and clicking on "Options" to open the "Options" dialog box.

3. Click on the "View" tab and verify that you have a checkmark in the check box before the word "ScreenTips" under the "Show" section of the "Options" dialog box. Leave it checked if it is checked already or check it so ScreenTips will show up in your Word document.

4. Use your mouse to click the "OK" button close the "Options" dialog box.

Create the ScreenTip

1. Select the word or phrase that you want to create a custom screen tip for by using your mouse to click and drag or double-click to select the word.

2. Choose the "Insert" menu and click on "Bookmark" to open the "Bookmark" dialog box.

3. Type a name for the bookmark and click the "Add" button to add the bookmark and close the "Bookmark" dialog box. Leave the word or phrase still selected at this time.

4. Press CTRL+K on your keyboard to bring up the "Insert Hyperlink" dialog box.

5. Click the "ScreenTip" button near the top of the "Insert Hyperlink" dialog box to open the "Set Hyperlink ScreenTip" dialog box.

6. Use your keyboard to type the text you wish to be displayed as a screen tip for your selected word or phrase.

7. Click the "Place in Document" button and choose the name of the bookmark you previously created. Click the "OK" button to close the dialog box and create the screen tip for your selected word or phrase. If you hover your mouse over the word or phrase, you should now see your custom screen tip.