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Stupid Simple Mac Tips #42 – The Power of Focus? Word

Stupid Simple Mac Tips #42 – The Power of Focus? Word

By Tom Lambotte | August 11, 2020

Ever felt while working in some apps that you’re staring upon the instrument cluster of the Space Shuttle? And how does that help you focus?

Focusing-Tips

In today’s Microsoft Word specific tip, I’ll share how to go from the overstimulated cockpit feeling while working in Word to the closest feeling of Zen you can reach working in Word.

Focusing Tips

The first trick is to go into Full Screen mode. Just click on the green button on the top left of the window.

Helps, doesn’t it?

However, the 751 icons in the ‘ribbon’ at the top of the window are very distracting.

Here’s the super tip:

Click on “View” at the top of the window in your menu bar and choose Focus.

Presto! The ribbon is gone – leaving only your document behind.

Hiding the dock from showing all the time is one of the first things I do on a new Mac. Why do I like so much? Because I only need the dock when I want to change apps. So I move my cursor down and it pops up when I need it.

Enabling Focus mode in Word is exactly the same. An added bonus in addition to the clean, Zen-like feel of this mode, is that you get an additional inch of screen real estate back. If you’re working on a laptop that is not insignificant. Paired with hiding your dock, you end up getting about 1/3 more space to see the document you are working on.

If you need to access the Microsoft Ribbon, hover your cursor over the top of the page, and they will instantly reappear. Move your cursor and they hide on their own!

To get out of Focus mode, just hit escape or click on EXIT in the top left corner.

Hocus, Pocus, now you can Focus.

  • August 11, 2020

About the Author

Tom Lambotte is a legal technology expert, author and the CEO of GlobalMac IT. He helps Mac-using lawyers with super simple technology, security and efficiency strategies that work. He’s on a mission to help attorneys using Apple computers reduce their security risk and get more out of their technology. Get his free 33 Stupid Simple Mac Tips and score some quick wins to boost your productivity.