Missing Expand/Collapse option Triangle

Question

I am offering a solution to getting the triangle or right-click option "Expand/Collapse" to appear if missing.

To have text collapsible, it must be set as a style, obviously. And you likely designated a level to each style. However, if you did not check the random and horribly described check box just to the right of the drop down menu for choosing the level, then the option to collapse at all and/or to see the triangle is not possible.

To clarify, you must modify each of the styles that you want to be collapsible by checking the box labeled "collapse automatically". I find it a useless title for what it actually does. I have spent years writing papers having this randomly work only to just now find it when I am about to graduate. Sorry, but I have called customer support and no one there has been able to help me either. Also, a side note to Microsoft. Please allow a way to filter your forums for locked and unlocked questions. There were lots of people asking how to do this, but all the threads were locked. So I made my own question and answer. Good luck!

Answer 1

I am offering a solution to getting the triangle or right-click option "Expand/Collapse" to appear if missing.

***

To clarify, you must modify each of the styles that you want to be collapsible by checking the box labeled "collapse automatically". I***

I'm sorry. You are mistaken. The checkbox to collapse by default does not change whether or not the paragraph can be collapsed.

To be collapsed, the paragraph must be set to have an outline level. For this purpose, there are two kinds of paragraphs:

1. Those with Outline levels like the Built-In Heading styles.
2. Body Text

• Why use Microsoft Word’s built-in heading styles? by Shauna Kelly
• Outlining in Microsoft Word

Answer 2

Hi Chand,

We appreciate you sharing an experience solution here it will help for other members in this community.  

Yes, you are correct, collapse and expand content in document is based on its outline level. We can quickly add an outline level and make part of document collapsible by adding a heading using Word's built-in styles.

For more detail information here is article for reference: Collapse or expand parts of a document

Regarding to “I have called customer support and no one there has been able to help me either” I suggest you if there is any issue related with the Office applications in the future, you can feel free to post back in this community any time.  We will be here for help you.

Comments and feedback from our customers really motivate us to perform better and better and provided as much help as possible. We appreciate your kind words.

I highly appreciate that you spent your precious time.

Best Regards,

Waqas Muhammad