WD2000: New Word Instance Appears to Run for Each Document

ID: Q230684

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you create or open an additional document, another instance of Word appears to run.

NOTE: In earlier versions of Word, when multiple documents are opened, only one Word button appears on the Windows taskbar. However, in Word 2000, when multiple documents are opened, a separate button appears for each on the Windows taskbar.


CAUSE

This behavior is by design in Word 2000. Word 2000 uses the Single Document Interface (SDI) design, in which each document occupies its own window (just as in Microsoft Outlook each message occupies its own window). This behavior is different from earlier versions of Word, which use the Multiple Document Interface (MDI), in which each document is a separate window within the Word program window.

In the Single Document Interface, only one instance of the Word program (Winword.exe) is running. To confirm this, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to display the Windows task list. Only one instance of Microsoft Word is listed.

NOTE: For users of Windows NT 4.x, when you press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to display the task list, you see every instance of an open document as a separate task on the Applications tab. However, clicking the Processes tab shows one instance of Winword.exe currently running.


MORE INFORMATION

Because Word 2000 uses true Single Document Interface (SDI) technology and no longer supports Multiple Document Interface (MDI), SDI cannot be turned off in Word 2000. Other Office 2000 applications, such as Excel, are capable of supporting MDI, and therefore SDI can be turned off in those applications.

The Single Document Interface provides the following benefits:

Improved Navigation

Some users found the Window menu in earlier versions of Word to be counter-intuitive. Documents became "lost" behind other open documents, and document window management was confusing to use. Having each document in a separate window with a Microsoft Windows taskbar icon for each document makes navigation easier.

Improved Performance with WordMail

Single Document Interface makes it easier and more convenient to send messages directly from Word.

For additional information about Single Document Interface and Word 2000, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q220288 WD2000: Arranging All Windows Closes Full Screen View
Q199666 WD2000: Windows NT Task Manager Shows All SDI Documents
Q209910 WD2000: Shell Command Does Not Start Second Instance
Q209709 WD2000: Windows.Count Not Working As Expected with Print Preview

Additional query words: mdi different opens open instance 


Keywords          : kbdta wd2000 WDDtir 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: August 5, 1999