Hi Bill -
I'm assuming you mean that when you open a *folder* in the File>Open dialog
the *files* are listed alphabetically. You can sort in ascending order on
the Date Modified by simply clicking that caption. The caption will get the
blue coloring & the triangle indicating the sort column & order will move to
that caption when you do. By clicking it again the order will be reversed
(descending). The same is true of the Name column. Each time you open the
dialog, however, the files will be displayed in alpha order by name.
If this isn't what you're looking for please provide more detail & include
OS X & Word versions.
HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac