Insert a Word or Text File Inside the Current File

Microsoft Word 2003 Text Selecting and Moving

Summary: Insert the contents of a Word or text file inside another Word document.

Instances may occur where you are working on a Microsoft Word 2003 document and need to include the complete contents of another document. Perhaps you are rebutting a previously-made argument and need to include the original document for reference. Or, you could be noting log files created by security programs to give to your IT department. Maybe you're writing an updated version of a report and need to include pieces of the previous version for reference.

To include a Word document or text file inside another, you normally must create or load the primary or container document and then open the document that you wish to include. Then you can either select all of the text and copy it from one document to another, or drag the text between documents. However, there is an easier, often overlooked, way.

1. Open up the primary container document.

2. Move your cursor to where the included file should appear.

3. Select "Insert" - "File".

4. An "Insert File" dialog box will appear. If you need to insert non-Word files, be sure to click the "Files of type" pull-down and change its settings as appropriate.

5. Navigate your computer, network, and/or removable media and double-click the file to insert. It will now appear inside your current document.

Note that changes made in this document will NOT affect your included document.