How stop Office programs bringing other files to front after closing?

[atmospheric]

I think this is an Office 2003 issue (using Win 7 64 bit). I only notice it in Word and Powerpoint. If I open a Word file, for example, by double clicking in Explorer (when I have other Word files already open), when I x-out to close the Word file in front - it brings (leaves) one of the other Word files to the front, rather than Explorer, which should be right "behind" it (because I just opened the file from there). This is maddening and wastes so much of my time, as I frequently browse and open many files quickly in Explorer, close them, and then always have to tab back to Explorer when it should be right in front. It does not happen with many PDF files open, for example. I hope that is clear. This is an issue with how the files are "layered".

i have searched and searched the web and found no one else complaining about this. I know XP didn't do this. Please help me. I swear I am not making this up....

Word.

Tom

 

[TwoCables]

I love how you ended it: "Word".

I am experiencing the same thing. I happen to have Word 2003 and yep, it's doing the same thing. I didn't know that it didn't do this in XP and that it does this in 7 because I've never done anything to make me notice. However, I can see how stupid this is. It's inconsistent. It's almost as if Windows 7 is programmed to do this with Microsoft Office, almost like it's saying, "I see that you have other files open in Word. Therefore, when you close this one I'll shift the focus to the last document you looked at instead of shifting focus back to me". It's like, "Uh, wait a minute. That's inconsistent, Windows. What's wrong with you?"

I'm beginning to wonder if there's something in the Registry that is making it behave this way.

 

[GEWB]

Word for Office 2003 behaves exactly the same way in Windows XP. This behavior changed from Word in Office 97 to Word in Office 2003.

One major change in Word (from 97 to 2003) was how multiple files are displayed: in Word 97 there was one main Word window and each opened document displayed in a separate frame within that window. This made for fast and efficient work between doc files (as a technical writer).

In Office 2003, Word opened separate windows for each open doc file - separate but IDENTICAL menu bars, title bars, tool bars, status bars and rulers - a MASSIVE waste of screen real estate and slow down of editing workflow.

HOWEVER, and this is the key, Word for Office 2003 still has ONE process running even with multiple Word windows and doc files open. So, close one Word doc/window (of multiple), the others remain. The PROCESS "winword.exe" remains running, was in focus when you closed the window/doc file and remains in focus, just as it should.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[TwoCables]

Oh, too many people were clicking the Red X in Word 97.

 

[GEWB]

Oh, too many people were clicking the Red X in Word 97.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[atmospheric]

Sorry, I mis-typed. This is actually happening in Office 2007 for me, not 2003. I assume that doesn't change anything? No work-arounds or settings for this?

 

[GEWB]

Sorry, I mis-typed. This is actually happening in Office 2007 for me, not 2003. I assume that doesn't change anything? No work-arounds or settings for this?

Correct, same for any Office after 97 (not sure about 365). No work-around that I know of.

Regards,
GEWB