And if unchecking the box doesn't suffice, see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customizat...owTaskPane.htm

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

"Pat Garard" apgarardATbigpondDOTnetDOTau wrote in message
...
G'Day Jan,

ToolsOptions
View (tab)
"Startup Task Pane" (top left) UNCHECK the box.
--
Regards,
Pat Garard
Melbourne, Australia
_______________________

"Jan Groshan" wrote in message
. com...
How can I disable the"Getting Started" column that pops up every time I
open
Word 2003?