Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To make a section collapsible in desktop Word, apply a built-in heading style to its heading, then use the small triangle beside that heading to hide or show the text and subordinate headings beneath it. The feature follows the document’s outline levels, so ordinary bold text alone does not create a collapsible section.
Create a collapsible section in desktop Word
-
Select the line you want to use as the section heading.
-
On the Home tab, open the Styles gallery and choose a built-in heading style, such as Heading 1 or Heading 2. Applying a heading style is Microsoft’s recommended straightforward way to add a heading. You can customize a heading style’s appearance and reuse that style. Microsoft’s heading-style instructions explain the process.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Place the section’s body text and any lower-level headings after the heading. Word uses the outline structure: a heading controls the content and subordinate headings beneath it, up to the next heading at the same or higher level.
-
Move the pointer over the heading and select the small triangle beside it. Word hides the section’s content; select the triangle again to show it. On a touch device, tap the heading to reveal the triangle first.
Microsoft describes the behavior this way: “The ability to collapse and expand content in your document is based on its outline level.” See Microsoft’s instructions for collapsing or expanding document content.
Collapse or expand every heading
To change all headings at once in desktop Word, right-click a heading, choose Expand/Collapse, and then select Collapse All Headings or Expand All Headings. This is a document-wide command; use an individual heading’s triangle when you only want to change one section.
Set a heading to open collapsed
Headings are expanded when a document is reopened by default. To have a particular heading open collapsed, set its paragraph option:
-
Place the cursor in the heading.
-
On the Home tab, find the Paragraph group and open its dialog using the dialog launcher.
-
Select Collapsed by default, then select OK.
This setting is separate from clicking the triangle to collapse a section temporarily. Microsoft documents the option in its collapse and expand guidance.
Rank #4
What happens in Word for the web and on Mac?
Word for the web
Word for the web does not offer the collapse/expand controls. Content collapsed in desktop Word appears expanded when viewed in the web app. To use the feature, open the document in the desktop application with Open in Word.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWord for Mac
Microsoft’s heading-style guidance covers Mac, but its collapse/expand feature instructions do not specify Mac control steps. Menu availability and behavior may vary by installed version, so check your version rather than assuming the desktop Windows instructions match exactly.
Best Value
- The Microsoft Office 365 Bible: The Most Updated and Complete Guide to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Teams, Access, and Publisher from Beginners to Advanced
- ABIS BOOK
If a heading is missing from the Navigation pane
In Word for Windows, the Navigation pane lists headings styled as headings in the document body. A heading inside a table, text box, header, or footer will not appear there. Microsoft also notes that Navigation pane behavior differs on Mac and the web. These Navigation pane limits are distinct from the outline-based collapsing behavior. See Microsoft’s Navigation pane guidance.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
