Troubleshoot Help

Some of the content in this topic may not be applicable to some languages.

A "Page Not Found" message appears in my browser when I click on a Help topic

The Help topic you are looking for is available on the Web, and you will receive this error if you are not connected to the Internet. To view this article, connect to the Internet.

To learn more about Office assistance, updates, and downloads offered by Microsoft on the Web, visit the Microsoft Office Web site.

Note   The hyperlink in this topic goes to the Web. You can switch back to Help at any time.

Tip

You can recognize other Help topics that are available on the Web by their titles, which will appear in the Answer Wizard in the form WEB: <title>.

I can't access the Microsoft Office Web site.

If you are having trouble accessing this site, one of the following may be your problem:

• The settings to connect your computer to the Internet might not be correct. To make sure they are, double-click the Internet icon in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel.
• Your company's firewall or proxy server could be preventing access to this site.
• Your modem might not be working correctly. For more information, see Modem Troubleshooter in Microsoft Windows Help (locate it in the Index).
• The Microsoft Office Web site might be temporarily unavailable. If you can access other Web sites, wait awhile and then try again.

The Office Assistant is distracting.

• Try one of the following:

  Choose a different Assistant

  1. Right-click the Assistant, and then click Choose Assistant on the shortcut menu.

  2. On the Gallery tab, click Back or Next to see the available Assistants.

  Note   Some Assistants are more active than others. The Office Logo is the least active of the Assistants.

  Limit the movements of the Office Assistant

  1. Click the Assistant, and then click Options.

  2. On the Options tab, clear the Move when in the way check box.

  Note   Clearing this option also limits the movement of floating toolbars.

  Move the Assistant

  • Drag the Assistant to another location on your screen.

  Hide the Assistant

  • On the Help menu, click Hide the Office Assistant.

  Turn off the Assistant

  1. Click the Assistant, and then click Options.

  2. On the Options tab, clear the Use the Office Assistant check box.

  Turn off the Assistant's sounds

  1. Click the Assistant, and then click Options.

  2. On the Options tab, clear the Make sounds check box.

The Office Assistant doesn't show the Help topic I want.

Try these steps in the order in which they appear:

• If you don't see the Help topic you want, click None of the above, look for more help on the Web in the Office Assistant balloon. Information on finding Help topics appears. You must have a Web browser installed on your computer and access to the Internet in order to use this feature. If this feature isn't available, see your system administrator.

• Search tips

  Click Search Tips for guidelines on how to narrow the list of Help topics by rephrasing your question to the Assistant or by using the index in Help.

• Send feedback and go to the Web

  If you still can't find the Help you want, click the topic None of the above, look for more help in the web.

  • Click search tips for tips about how to find the Help you need.

  • In the text box, type any questions or comments you have about the Help topic you were trying to find. When you click Send and go to the Web, two things occur:

    • Your question and any comments you provide will be collected and used to improve future versions of the Help system.

    • You will be connected to the Microsoft Office Web site to look for more Help.

The Office Assistant balloon disappeared.

• Click the Office Assistant and the Assistant balloon will appear.
• A tip or message balloon might appear in front of another balloon. Close the balloon in front to see the one behind it.
• Some message balloons close automatically when you click in the Office program window. These are informational messages that don't require a response.

  For example, when you check spelling, a message tells you when you're finished. You won't see this type of message again unless you repeat the action that causes it to appear — for example, when you check spelling again.

The Office Assistant prevents me from working.

• Click an option button in the message displayed to continue to work in the Office program.
•  If the message is no longer displayed but a tip or Help topic is, click anywhere in the program window to display the message again.