Creating multi-file documents?

Question

I remember Word 2000 (yes, I am that old) had a facility for creating documents spread over several files.  I could use that facility at the moment (I am using MSW07) as I have a document that is becoming unwieldy in the monolithic state.  Trouble is, I can't remember what the process was called so I don't know what to search for.

What was it called?

Does it exist in MSW07?

If you happen to know off-hand, where can I find a tutorial on it?

Thanks

Answer 1

But note that master documents are buggy in Word. As an alternative, you can use INCLUDETEXT fields as discussed at http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/TblsFldsFms/includetextfields.htm.

Note that the article hasn't been updated for recent versions of Word. To display the Insert File dialog box in Word 2007-2013, click the Insert tab, then click the arrow on the Insert button and finally choose Text from File (observe that the command is misleading).

I can't find an ... arrow on the Insert button ...

Answer 2

The "feature" exists in all later versions of Word... and it still doesn't work.

Master Documents Feature in Microsoft Word  gives links to some other solutions.

It has serious bugs and will corrupt your entire document at the most inconvenient time possible. (This advice to not use Master Documents reported as correct through Word 2010.) John McGhie put it succinctly when he said that "there are two kinds of Master Documents: Those that are corrupt and those that will be corrupt soon." It was reported fixed in Word 2007, but "The jury is in: The Master Document feature in Word 2010 remains word processing's answer to Conan the Destroyer. Use it only if you enjoy pain and frustration." Microsoft Word 2010 Bible by Herb Tyson, MVP. "Since its inception, the Master Documents feature has been a bit quirky and buggy, and that fact hasn't changed with Word 2010, unfortunately." Microsoft Word 2010 In Depth by Faithe Wempen, p. 681

I've heard nothing to lead me to believe it is any better in Word 2013.

Answer 3

As Gina identified, the "official" feature you are looking for is called "Master Documents".

I concur with Stefan's opinion that the Master Documents feature is STILL buggy. I BRIEFLY tested it in Word 2007 and 2010 and found that it still corrupted documents.

Just out of curiosity, how large is your file, MB/pages that you are finding it unwieldly.

My 2 largest file are:

• 69,500 kb with 1500 pages (lots of graphics)
• 57,000 kb with 1950 pages (few graphics)

I have no complaints editing and navigating them on a 6 year old laptop with 3GB RAM.

Answer 4

But note that master documents are buggy in Word. As an alternative, you can use INCLUDETEXT fields as discussed at http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/TblsFldsFms/includetextfields.htm.

Note that the article hasn't been updated for recent versions of Word. To display the Insert File dialog box in Word 2007-2013, click the Insert tab, then click the arrow on the Object button and finally choose Text from File (observe that the command is misleading).

[Edit: corrected a typo]

Answer 5

Perhaps this will help...

http://www.howtogeek.com/73960/create-a-master-document-in-word-2010-from-multiple-documents/