How to Change Help Icons in Word

You may not have realized that you can change that little help icon, or office assistant, in Microsoft Word. The Word default icon appears as a dancing paperclip. Help icons can be a nuisance, but some may enjoy their company and assistance. This will help you change icons to something more desirable and functional. Just think, something to do when you are sitting at your desk, bored.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Word
• Computer

Instructions

1. Make the help icons appear by pressing F1 on your keyboard or clicking the "help," "show the Office Assistant," menu on the top of your screen. Note: If the help or Office Assistant appears when you open up Word, you do not need to do this.

2. Right click on the Office Assistant (brings up help icons) and select "choose assistant." Many icons will be displayed, depending on the version of Microsoft Word you are running on your desktop.

3. 

   Click on the "Gallery" tab in Word and click the "Next" arrow at the bottom of Word and scroll through and view icons. All icons differ in appearance and you can change at any time if you choose. A photo example of icons is shown here.

4. Click on the "Options" tab inside Word to tweak any options and preferences as you see fit to change the icons. Uncheck the boxes of the features you wish to make disappear on the new icon.

5. Turn down your computer sound, as many helper icons in Microsoft Word have sound effects such as bark, meow, space or sounds related to the icon you chose.

6. Click the "Ok" button at the bottom of the Office Assistant Dialog box in Word when your changes are complete. You can always go back and change or tweak icons as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Right click and select "hide assistant" at any time you do not wish for the help icon to appear on your screen. You can also move it to another location on your screen.

• Screens and menus will vary according to your version of Microsoft Word.

• Do not change icons or features on a shared computer unless you have permission.