Tip 207: Word's Reading Layout

A reader asks:

Whenever I open an attached Word document in Outlook, it displays as a side-by-side two page display (actually cut off on the right side). Is there a way to make the file open in a normal view?

This is the reading layout view in Word. It is a Word option and needs to be disabled in Word.

To disable it for attachment received in Outlook 2003, open Word's Tools, Options, General tab and uncheck the option to start with the reading layout.

In Office 2007, open Word and click on the Office icon, then Word Options. the setting is on the Popular tab.

In Outlook 2010 and 2013, the setting is in Word's File, Options, General dialog. Look for Open email attachments and other uneditable files in reading view.

Published November 22, 2004. Last updated on June 17, 2013.

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