Disabling Word 2007's Mini Toolbar

When you select text in Microsoft Word 2007, the Mini toolbar appears. It is faint at first, but when you focus your mouse on it, it becomes more prominent.

The Mini toolbar is designed to put common formatting commands close at hand. It is convenient if you want to highlight a selection or change font characteristics.

But, the Mini toolbar can get in the way if you want to rearrange text by clicking and dragging. It can also be distracting when you want to access the contextual menu by right-clicking.

If you don't like the Mini toolbar, you can disable it easily with the following steps:

1. Click the Office button

2. Select Word Options

3. Click Popular in the left column

4. Deselect "Show Mini Toolbar on selection"