Office 2003 Task Pane Open List

[OfficeHelpNeeded]

I have Office 2003 SP1 on WinXP Pro SP2. I know that the Getting Started Task
Pane shows a list of Recently opened files, but for some reason these
recently accessed files never show up. All that's shown under the Open
heading, is a link to "Open..." so that I can browse to look for my file.

I'm referring specifically to the programs like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and
Access.

I would really like it if I could somehow show the recent files. Can anybody
help me?

 

[SaN-DeeP]

by any chance do you clear your computer history/recent files ?
Or if you have any anti-spyware installed and running

 

[OfficeHelpNeeded]

No. I don't have any anti-spyware software installed on my computer. Nor do I
manually delete my computer history.

Could it be something manually doing this? Is that the only reason it
wouldn't be showing?

 

[garfield-n-odie]

In Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access, click on Tools | Options | General |
check the "Recently used file list" box.

 

[OfficeHelpNeeded]

That option is to toggle whether or not I want a recently used file list
under the File menu. I've already got this checked and it works fine.

What I'm ACTUALLY looking for is how to get it so the my recent files show
up in the open list of the "Getting Started" Task Pane.

 

[Chris Schatte]

OfficeHelpNeeded,
Not an answer but request for more information:
So this started when? Worked before Windows sp2, etc...
Did this view option work previously?

Chris Schatte

use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
In Office System 2003 applications:
Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities

 

[OfficeHelpNeeded]

I know it worked before SP2, and it works after SP2. I'm not sure when it
stopped working. I suppose I am left with trying to uninstall and reinstall
things...

 

[Bob I]

Try turning it OFF, close, open, turn it back ON, and see if it start
working again.

 

[OfficeHelpNeeded]

Thanks for the tip. I tried that and it still didn't work. Remember, I'm
referring to the Task Pane...NOT the file menu list.

 

[Chris Schatte]

OfficeHelpNeeded,
and you have edited files recently? Have you tried a cold reboot after file
/ close all Office programs?
It works here on XP sp1, 2 & on SBS 2003 networks using SharePoint in a
mixed environment.
You could try detect and repair in Office.

Chris Schatte

use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
In Office System 2003 applications:
Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

The Word task pane recent document list is managed
by the same setting as the File menu MRU
(Tools=>Options=>General=>Recent) in as far as
adding items, but unlike the File menu, the Task Pane
does not 'erase' if you set that count to zero.

What may be happening is that the registry key
that controls some of this may be corrupted or
not accessible to the user profile. See if resetting
the Word Data Settings key as described here, with all
Office apps closed then restarting helps.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822005&FR=1#6

=====
Thanks for the tip. I tried that and it still didn't work. Remember, I'm
referring to the Task Pane...NOT the file menu list. >>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 Editions explained
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.mspx

 

[OfficeHelpNeeded]

I just uninstalled Office 2003, and then reinstalled everything, and the same
thing persists. That list does not show up.

I've just about given up on this issue...is there any way of contacting
Microsoft directly for technical support?

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

If you have a non OEM edition of Office the numbers
at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=csshome
may be helpful.

Uninstalling and reinstalling won't clear the registry entry
that holds the information. You'll need to follow the suggestion
in the earlier reply to one copy of the message you posted
or use the MS registry cleanup utility and
then reinstall Office 2003.

=======
I just uninstalled Office 2003, and then reinstalled everything, and the same
thing persists. That list does not show up.

I've just about given up on this issue...is there any way of contacting
Microsoft directly for technical support? >>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 Editions explained
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.mspx

 

[Bob I]

Yes, the same "switch" toggles both "locations".

Thanks for the tip. I tried that and it still didn't work. Remember, I'm
referring to the Task Pane...NOT the file menu list.

:

 

[OfficeHelpNeeded]

Wow, I didn't know it would cost money to remedy this minor glitch...I'm
definitely not calling Microsoft just for this, only to pay $35...wow!

Anyway, Bob, I thank you for all the help you've provided so far.

I've uninstalled Office 2003, removed the whole Microsoft Office Registry
Folder that was mentioned on that site you referenced, and then restarted the
computer. Then I reinstalled Office, and the list still does not work. I have
no idea what is going on.

I think I may just have to live with it for the time being. When my system
needs to be reformatted and cleaned up, I'll remember to install SP2 first
and then Office. I think the problem arose from installing Office, and then
installing SP2...it's just my hunch, but I'll have to test it out later.

 

[OfficeHelpNeeded]

I've figured it out!

I have been using Tweak UI to modify my system, and I turned off a setting
that allowed Common Dialogs to remember filenames that were recently used. I
just flipped it back on, and now Office remembers stuff in the Task Pane!

I'm glad that's over.