How to Use the Research Pane in Word

The Research Pane makes report writing easy.

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The Research Pane is one of Microsoft Word’s most helpful and yet most underused tools. The following steps will help you get started and make the most out of using the Research Pane.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Microsoft Word

Step1

To open the Research Pane, click “Tools” from the standard toolbar, and then click “Research.”

Step2

You can highlight a word in your document and then choose the "Research Pane," or you can open the Research Pane and then type in a word or phrase in the “Search For” field. Either way, you will be provided several entries regarding your word or phrase, such as dictionary definitions, synonyms and translations.

Step3

Click “Research Options” at the very bottom of the Research Pane. Add or remove reference books by selecting or de-selecting the check box next to each book.

Step4

To set parental controls, which will block potentially offensive results, click the “Parental Controls” button and select the check box next to “Turn On Content Filtering." Enter a password and click “OK.”

Step5

Below the “Search For” field, you will see a drop-down menu full of choices. To read definitions, choose the dictionary. To see synonyms, choose the thesaurus. Or choose from one of the other many reference entries such as translations from and to multiple languages, encyclopedia entries, and even business and financial sites.