Is there a way to save a Microsoft Word document so that it automatically opens in outline view?

Question

I have a Word document (it's a task list) that I always read and edit in outline view. Is there a way to tell Word that so that the document always defaults to outline view when it is opened?

Answer 1

When you exit an MS Word file and open it again, it remembers the mode you were using when you closed it. This only applies to saved documents. You can’t use this same setting for a new MS Word document. A new MS Word document will always open in the Print Layout.

Record The Outline View Macro

Open MS Word and go to the View tab on the ribbon. Click ‘Macro’ to record a new macro. Name it whatever you like (one word only) and click ‘Create’ in the new macro window. Copy and paste the following:

Sub AutoOpen()

'

' AutoOpen Macro

'

'

ActiveWindow.View.Type = wdOutlineView

ActiveWindow.View.ShowHeading 1

End Sub

This works only for a saved document.