How to Enable and Disable Focus Mode in Microsoft Word
Focusing on a specific task requires the absence of distractions to complete it effectively. Most of the time we look at the external environment as the creator of distractions while ignoring that task tools are culprits as well. Microsoft Word is a great example of a task tool that’s not without distractions.
While Microsoft Word has many features that help with word processing, some might find these features overpowering. With that in mind, Microsoft introduced a feature called Focus Mode to reduce the distractions caused by Word’s various features. Here’s everything you need to know about focus mode and how to turn it on and off in your Microsoft Word app.
What is focus mode in Microsoft Word?
Focus mode is a feature in Microsoft Word that hides the ribbon and taskbar in your document. Removing the ribbon and taskbar helps reduce distractions and lets you work only on the text and other elements of the document. Microsoft first introduced focus mode for Word in 2011. However, the company pulled out of Word in 2016. Now the feature is finding its way back into the Word app.
Many avid users enjoy this feature to bring their best into the Word documents. Let’s look at how to enable focus mode in Word.
How to enable focus mode in Microsoft Word
Enabling focus mode in your Microsoft Word document is easy. Here are the different ways to do it.
Method 1: Using keyboard shortcuts
A quick and convenient way to activate focus mode in Microsoft Word requires memorizing keyboard shortcuts. Here are the steps to do it:
Step 1: On your PC, click on the start menu and search for Word.
Step 2: Click Open to launch the Word app from the results.
Step 3: On your keyboard, tap the Alt + W + O keys at the same time to activate focus mode.
Method 2: Using the taskbar
You can turn on focus mode from the taskbar at the bottom of the Word app. The following steps explain how.
Step 1: On your PC, click on the start menu and search for Word.
Step 2: Click Open to launch the Word app from the results.
Step 3: On the taskbar, click the focus icon at the bottom right of the Microsoft Word app.
Method 3: Through the tape
The Ribbon contains many features that help streamline the use of Microsoft Word. How to activate focus mode with it.
Step 1: On your PC, click on the start menu and search for Word.
Step 2: Click Open to launch the Word app from the results.
Step 3: On the ribbon, click the View tab.
Step 4: In the Immersive group, click Focus.
Method 4: From the search bar
The search bar is a handy way to find a feature in Microsoft Word if you’ve forgotten its location or the relevant tab. Here’s how to use it to activate focus mode.
Step 1: On your PC, click on the start menu and search for Word.
Step 2: Click Open to launch the Word app from the results.
Step 3: At the top of the Microsoft Word app, click the search bar.
Step 4: Search for focus mode and click on the result.
How to change focus mode background color in Microsoft Word
The default background color in Microsoft Word is white. This is the same color that is applied in focus mode. If the white color distracts you, it can be changed in focus mode. That’s how it’s done:
You cannot change the background color in Focus mode in Word’s default view. Users must enable focus mode to access the change background color setting.
Step 1: After enabling focus mode, click the ellipsis at the top of the screen.
Step 2: On the ribbon, click the View tab.
Step 3: In the Immersive group, click Background.
Step 4: Choose your preferred background color from the options presented.
How to turn off focus mode in Microsoft Word
Disabling focus mode is as easy as enabling it. Here are the different methods to do this:
Method 1: Using the Escape key
This is the simplest method of disabling focus mode and requires only one action on your part.
Step 1: After enabling focus mode, tap the Esc key on your keyboard to exit it.
Method 2: Using the taskbar
Use the taskbar to take your Word app out of focus mode.
Step 1: After enabling focus mode, click the ellipsis at the top of the screen to bring up the taskbar at the bottom of the app.
Step 2: Click the focus icon on the bottom right of the taskbar to exit focus mode.
Method 3: Using the Ribbon
Use the ribbon to take your Word app out of focus mode.
Step 1: After enabling focus mode, click the ellipsis at the top of the screen to reveal the ribbon at the top of the app.
Step 2: On the ribbon, click the View tab.
Step 3: Click Focus to exit focus mode from the immersive group.
Method 4: From the search bar
Use the search bar to take your Word app out of focus mode.
Step 1: After enabling focus mode, click the ellipsis at the top of the screen to bring up the search bar at the top of the app.
Step 2: Click the search bar and search for focus mode.
Step 3: Click on the result to exit focus mode.
Enabling focus mode on your Windows PC or Mac
Since Microsoft Word is an app that works on PCs and Macs, you can try to eliminate distractions by also taking advantage of focus mode. Windows 11 PCs have a Focus Session feature while Mac has a Hide Others feature. These features can help you focus on a specific task.