Turn Off Compatibility Mode in Word 2010

What version of Word are you working in? Since you say there is no file tab and no "Text Effects" icon I suspect you are working in Word 2007 or earlier.

In Office 2007, click on the "Office Orb" > Convert command, follow prompts from there.

What Version of Office am I running? What version of Word

**http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/what-version-of-office-am-i-using-HA101873769.aspx**

**http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/management/what-version-of-word-do-i-have.html******

**** **http://www.7tutorials.com/6-ways-learn-exact-version-any-application-you-are-using******

Most people are using 1 of 3 Office versions: 2003, 2007 or 2010.  There is a major split between in the user interface between 2003 which is the “old” Menu system and 2007 which uses the “new and improved” Ribbon.

I will provide simple guidelines on how to quickly identify which version of Office you are running.

How Can Identify Office / Word 2013

If you are familiar with earlier versions of Office, you will immediately notice the color of the Ribbon and the icons are slightly “simpler” in design.

If you have not customized it, you will notice that the tabs are all Upper case (it is a quick fix to “correct” that).

The Tabs in the Word Ribbon have a new tab: File, Home, Insert, and Design, Page Layout, References, Review, View

To find the exact version information, File menu > Account command > About Word button. The About dialog will list the detailed version information. It is essentially the same as early versions.

How can I Identify Office / Word 2010

The Word (application) icon has returned, to the left corner of the application window, eliminating the “Office” button. The rest of the application title bar is the same as 2007: QAT beside Application icon followed by the Filename and application name centered. Unlike 2007, there is very little contrast in the background color of the inactive tabs compared to the title bar. The active tab is still highlighted by the light backgound color.

The Tab names are: FILE, Home, Insert, Page Layout, References, Mailings, Review, View

The ribbon is essentially the same as in 2007. The main difference is that the contrast between buttons and the background that was apparent in 2007 has been muted so that the buttons completely merge into the background.

To find the exact version information, File menu > Help command > In the Backstage Pane will list the detailed version information about half way down. If you click on the hyperlink hidden under the text “Additional Version and Copyright Information” below the version number. This will display the “About” dialog box. It is essentially the same as early versions.

What and where is the Office 2010 Backstage view

**http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/onenote-help/what-and-where-is-backstage-view-HA010370584.aspx******

How can I Identify Office / Word 2007

The Word (application) Icon has been replaced in the Upper left corner of the application window by a big round 4 color “Office” button (it is clickable!) that spans 2 rows. Beside that are some icons for the “Quick Access Tab (QAT)” (note: optionally it can be relocated below ribbon). Beside the QAT in a light background is the Application title. The File name followed by “ – Microsoft Word” is centered in the Application title bar. Immediately below that is the “Tab” bar. Each tab is a graphical redesign of the old menus. The “active” tab has a light background, the rest of the inactive tabs are in a darker contrasting background color.

The Tab names are Office Button, Home, Insert, Page Layout, References, Mailings, Review, View

Immediately below the tab names is the new “Ribbon”. It is subdivided into “Groups”. Within the group, small and large icons and text lables.  The icon organization is dynamic. As you resize the width of the application window, the icon layout is adapted. Icon sizes and locations will change.

To find the exact version information, Office Orb > Word Options button > Resources option > About button This will display the “About” dialog box. It is essentially the same as early versions.

Lisa.N.G,

I have a 98 page file in Word P.C. Vista that won't open, the pages it is located on opens as a 'blank page' titled 'Compatability Mode',  I recently upgraded from Vista 2003? to Microsoft Office, Home and Student 2007, and new for me Windows 2010, a recent upgrade as well. I cannot find one post anywhere about how to recover a lost, trapped. blank document, have you any advice or suggestions. May I thank you for any assistance you can give,    Bob Sherwood,

I cannot find one post anywhere about how to recover a lost, trapped. blank document, have you any advice or suggestions. May I thank you for any assistance you can give,    Bob Sherwood, 

To troubleshoot damaged documents in Word, take a look at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918429/en-us/ (How to troubleshoot damaged documents in Word 2007 and in Word 2010).