stop opening a blank document on start up

Question

Whenever I open Word or reactivate it after having hidden it (MacOS), Word automatically opens a blank document. Is there a way to stop Word from automatically opening a blank doc?

Answer 1

I did find a reasonable workaround. In Project Gallery / Settings, enable Show Project Gallery at startup, and Open on: Recent (which is what I normally do from File). Thanks again.

Answer 2

To stop it from opening with Blank at start up.

Start up normally (yes you'll get blank page, but changes you make will stop it from then on).

Now at File menu click and choose open from Template.

When template menu opens click to remove Check mark, the check box in bottom corner.

Don't show this when starting up.

Now the template menu will open and a Blank document will not appear.

As for closing document when switch to another application. Try the following:

Hold down Command Key(⌘)  then tap and hold Tab key then choose word  and release.

Actually this is required by Apple's User Interface Guidelines for application to open a Blank page regardless of the application. (Utilities are no considered applications).

Answer 3

In my Word 2008 File menu, there is no "Open from Template". There is Open, Open Recent, Open from Document Connection. There is Project Gallery, which shows lots of templates and tabs New, Recent, Project Center, Settings, but no check box in bottom corner.

The suggestion to reactivate Word by Cmnd+Tab works; no blank doc. Thanks.