In Word 2013, a new function was added that enables you to compress portions of your manuscript and then expand them when you need to see that material again. This functionality makes it easy to locate and examine only the information you require. This feature is included in all subsequent editions of Office; thus, it may be used with any version. This post will show you how to create collapsible headings in Word in a nutshell.
Collapsible Headings
When dealing with a large, intricate text, you can collapse anything but the section you wish to concentrate on. Your text’s outline level determines its capacity to compress and extend information. By utilizing Word’s built-in styles to construct a heading, you may rapidly insert an outline level and create a section of your manuscript collapsible.
Process of Creating Collapsible Headings
All headers can be collapsed or expanded at the same time in Word. To accomplish this, right-click on any title and select “Expand/Collapse” from the menu that emerges. Next, under the submenu, choose “Collapse All Headings” to disintegrate all of your article’s headings or “Expand All Headings” to expand all of them back.

You may also allow Word to collapse specific heading lines autonomously by default. To achieve so, ensure that the “Home” option on the ribbon is selected. If it isn’t already active, press it to make it so.
Position the mouse on a heading structured with the heading degree you wish to collapse (for instance, Heading 1) and select the “Paragraph Settings” menu box option in the “Home” tab’s “Paragraph” subsection.
Choose the “Collapsed by default” tick box to the right of the “Outline level” list of selections on the “Indents and Spacing” tab of the “Paragraph” menu bar so that the box is checked. The “Collapsed by default” option is grayed out, and you will not be able to select it until the mouse is on a heading.
Unless you edit the heading design to accommodate this modification, this adjustment will only apply to the present heading and no other headings to the same degree.
When reading your file on your pc, keep in mind that you can only compact and extend portions of it. All headers are automatically extended when you print the page. This function is handy for seeing your work as an overview, but you can also utilize the Navigation Pane to examine an overview of your work and move to specific portions of it, as well as rearrange it.
Remove Collapsible Headings
Simply right-clicking any heading and choosing Expand All Headings or Collapse All Headings as needed, you may extend or shrink all of the article’s titles. This approach may be used to make exploring or reading long, complex word files more convenient. You may expand only the portion you want to concentrate on by clicking on the arrow. With all the words out of the path, it becomes more readable as well as understandable. You can expand or compress any part as required by clicking the arrow while viewing.
To eliminate the collapsible heading option, choose a heading and modify the style to a standard typeface rather than heading 1, 2, or 3. The collapsed option for that header will be removed as a result.
Shift Chapters in Collapsible Mode
You may change the order of the collapsible headers by implementing the measures below.
Pick them out initially. Afterward, while holding Ctrl, hit X, or right-click on the headings and select the Cut option.
Put your cursor over the header that follows those chapters. Then hit V while holding Ctrl. However, since we wish to transfer these chapters to the conclusion of the text, it is suggested that they be pasted prior to the last chapter. To do so, start at the commencement of the final chapter line with your cursor and paste them there, then move the final chapter to the required location.
Print File with Collapsible Headings
It’s important to remember that just the extended sections of the script will be printed. Before printing your file, be sure that the areas you wish to print are expanded. Right-click one of the headers to accomplish this. To get all the pages in the manuscript printed, select “Expand All Heading.”
If you simply wish to print a specific portion, pick “Expand heading” from the list of selections. If you wish to preview your work before printing it, head over to File and select Print. You can check how your text will look before printing it in the Print Preview box. You may also be interested to know How to Justify Text in Word Without Spaces.
How to Create and Customize Headings in Microsoft Word
FAQ
In outline view, how can I rearrange headings?
In Word, how do you promote and demote headings?
Conclusion
Using Word’s headers, you may effectively make certain areas of your text collapsible. All you need to know is how to create collapsible headings in Word and how to implement them. It’s quite handy, and it may help you fixate on the parts of a text you intend to read while ignoring the rest. Hopefully, this post has provided you with all of the information you require to carry out this procedure.