Word: TOC and link to return to it 1

[thefourthwall]

Hello,

I am writing a 30-40 page help document for our users. The first page has a TOC with active links to take the reader directly to the desired section.

I want a link at the bottom of each page which, when clicked, takes the reader back to the TOC.

When I put that in the footer, I have to double-click the footer to open it, then click again on the link itself. Tried text boxes, but they mess up my formatting.

Is there a way to insert a link (pref. in the footer area) that is always available, or another way of doing this I haven't seen yet?

Thanks.

thefourthwall

 

[BlueHorizon]

Hi,
One thing you can do that won't mess up your formatting is to add an AutoShape from the Drawing toolbar. Some good ones can be found on the More AutoShapes Task Pane. I used a curly arrow that looks like a U-Turn and placed it in the margin area, either on the side or on the bottom. It can be sized according to your needs and it doesn't mess anything up - it just sits there.

1. Set a Bookmark at the Table of Contents (Insert/Bookmark). Remember to include NO spaces in the name of the Bookmark.
2. Right click on the inserted shape.
3. Click Hyperlink.
3. Select Place in this document.
4. Select your Bookmark from the list shown.
5. Click OK.
6. Copy/Paste this to each page and use Ctrl+Click to follow it back to the TOC.

Hope this helps!!

Best,
Blue Horizon

 

[fumei]

Hi Blue. That is an very good suggestion, and one I have not thought of before. So thanks, I can use that.

However, regarding what the OP posted, there is a problem with your #6.

Copy/Paste this to each page

That is a pain, is not automatic, and also will not update dynamically if the page number and/or structure changes. Something in the footer would. Except...what?

I just tried with an ActiveX control in the footer, a commandbutton with Click code to go to a bookmark - say to the ToC. It ha, ummmm, (to me) rather unexpected results. In fact, in my mind, very weird results. So that may not be an option.

The commandbutton did fire, but:

1. it DID bring focus into the footer...and left it there.
2. while I stated in PrintView, it insists on putting the document into Normal view (which I never use).

Odd. I tried adding code to the commandbutton to bring the document back to PrintView, and move to the bookmark. So far, it stubbornly refuses.

So what?

I tried putting that AutoShape into the footer, but it has the same problem the OP describes. It brings focus into the footer.

I tried using a hyperlink to jump back...same problem. It requires focus to the footer. You click twice on the hyperlink (to get footer focus) and then once again to make the jump.

Not a very satisfactory solution.

thefourthwall, the best thing I can suggest is a simple keyboard shortcut, or if you prefer a wee icon on a toolbar, that does what you want. It would simply move the Selection back to the TOC.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[BlueHorizon]

Hi Gerry,
I suggested using an AutoShape because thefourthwall noted using Textboxes but they messed with the formatting. So I didn't think s/he would mind my solution, evn though it had to go on each page. It still beats text boxes..LOL...
Thanks!!




Best,
Blue Horizon

 

[fumei]

In my mind ANYTHING beats textboxes.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[TonyJollans]

Can you train your users to use Alt+Left Arrow? Or copy the Back button from the Web toolbar into its own toolbar (or even just use the Web toolbar)?

Enjoy,
Tony

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[thefourthwall]

BlueHorizon,

That worked! Thanks for a great idea ... a little labor-intensive copying & positioning to each page, but its reliable.

 

[thefourthwall]

Gerry,

Good points you bring up, each of which I tried (except for the ActiveX control)

I tried using a hyperlink to jump back...same problem. It requires focus to the footer. You click twice on the hyperlink (to get footer focus) and then once again to make the jump.

Not a very satisfactory solution.

Very true.

I was a bit skeptical about the toolbar idea, as the document will likely be sent to multiple users, many of whom don't know what is meant by "toolbar" in Word...

Interesting problem; it would be nice to allow focus on the footer without having to double-click then click again to activate the link ...

Thanks for thinking about it though ...

 

[tf1]

Word has its own GoToTOC built in command. Why not add that to one of the Toolbars and just get them to click it? You can assign it a shortcut key for the keyboard-centric users.


Regards: tf1

 

[Madawc]

You could just include Bookmarks in the Normal template, so everyone has it on their menu. I've found it a very useful function, suitable to identify a small portion of a big document that may need to be referenced a lot.


Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Windows XP & Crystal 10

 

[fumei]

A shortcut key is, as i mentioned, a good idea..but then I use the keyboard a lot, so I like them.

Using Document Map is another alternative, although if you are not using styles bang on, Document Map can get....funky.

Madawc, not sure what you are suggesting. Bookmarks have been mentioned a few times as a method to do this. TOC bookmarks are by default hidden from the Bookmarks dialog.

Tony's Alt-Left Arrow is the best suggestion, I think. It is built-in, so therefore needs no further action, or anything. No code. No buttons. Nothing on the toolbar. No bookmarks. And of course Alt-Right Arrow will bring them back to where they were.

This is a very good example of a situation that a wee bit of training/knowledge - legitmate training IMO - can work wonders. Word can DO this, with a simple built-in method.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[Madawc]

fumei, what I was suggesting is putting one's own bookmark next to the TOC. I use the paragraph just above it and call it 'Contents'. I suppose I should have been clearer about this.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Windows XP & Crystal 10

 

[fumei]

Ah, yes that would work.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[tf1]

But what is wrong with using Word's own GoToTOC command. Why are we reinventing the wheel?



Regards: tf1

 

[fumei]

Hopefully, we are not. It has been pointed out a few times here that there are built-in options that can be taken advantage of, and hopefully WILL be used.

I still think Tony's Alt-Left Arrow is easiest.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture