To test your Internet connection, click Microsoft Office Online on the Help menu. This will open the Microsoft Office Online Web page in your browser. If you are able to connect this site, but are unable to see links to Microsoft Office Online in your program, check your online content settings by doing the following:

1. On the Help menu, click Microsoft <Program Name> Help to display the <Program Name> Help task pane (task pane: A window within an Office application that provides commonly used commands. Its location and small size allow you to use these commands while still working on your files.).
2. Under See also in the task pane, click Online Content Settings.
3. In the Service Options dialog box, make sure the Show content and links from Microsoft Office Online check box is selected, and select any additional online content check boxes you want.

If you are unable to connect to the Microsoft Office Online site, one of the following may be your problem:

• The settings to connect your computer to the Internet might not be correct. To make sure they are, do the following:
  1. In the Windows XP Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections and then click Internet Options.

     In the Windows 2000 Control Panel, double-click the Internet Options icon.

  2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Connections tab.
• Your company's firewall (firewall: A method of protecting the files and programs on one network from users on another network. A company will typically install a firewall to give users access to the Internet while protecting their internal information.) or proxy server (proxy server: An Internet server that acts as a firewall, mediating traffic between a protected network and the Internet.) could be preventing access to this site.
• The Microsoft Office Online site might be temporarily unavailable. If you can access other Web sites, wait awhile and then try again.

The variety and amount of content returned in the Search Results task pane is affected by your Internet (Internet: A worldwide network of thousands of smaller computer networks and millions of commercial, educational, government, and personal computers. The Internet is like an electronic city with virtual libraries, stores, art galleries, and so on.) connection (whether or not you have one), your online content settings, and your search scope. The content returned is shown in order of relevance. The most likely answer to your question appears first in the list. If you cannot find the help you want, try these steps in the order in which they appear:

• If you have an Internet account through an Internet service provider (ISP) (ISP: A business that provides access to the Internet for such things as electronic mail, chat rooms, or use of the World Wide Web. Some ISPs are multinational, offering access in many locations, while others are limited to a specific region.), make sure you are connected.
• For best results, type a complete sentence or question in the Search box— not just a single word or a phrase. For example, to find Help on how to print more than one copy of a file at a time, type print more than one copy at a time instead of typing print.
• To check your online content settings, do the following:
  1. On the Help menu, click Microsoft <Program Name> Help to display the <Program Name> Help task pane. (task pane: A window within an Office application that provides commonly used commands. Its location and small size allow you to use these commands while still working on your files.)
  2. Under See also in the task pane, click Online Content Settings.
  3. In the Service Options dialog box, make sure the Show content and links from Microsoft Office Online check box is selected, and select any additional online content check boxes you want.
• If you have an Internet connection and are showing online content, you can expand your search scope to include templates, training, clip art, and other online content, by clicking Microsoft Office Online in the Search list.

• Try one of the following:

  Choose a different Assistant

  1. Right-click the Assistant, and then click Choose Assistant on the shortcut menu.

  2. On the Gallery tab, click Back or Next to see the available Assistants.

  Note  Some Assistants are more active than others. The Office Logo is the least active of the Assistants.

  Limit the movements of the Office Assistant

  1. Click the Assistant, and then click Options.

  2. On the Options tab, clear the Move when in the way check box.

  Note  Clearing this option also limits the movement of floating toolbars.

  Move the Assistant

  • Drag the Assistant to another location on your screen.

  Hide the Assistant

  • On the Help menu, click Hide the Office Assistant.

  Turn off the Assistant

  1. Click the Assistant, and then click Options.

  2. On the Options tab, clear the Use the Office Assistant check box.

  Turn off the Assistant's sounds

  1. Click the Assistant, and then click Options.

  2. On the Options tab, clear the Make sounds check box.

You can search for both non-programming and programming topics at the same time.

• Click the Office Assistant and the Assistant balloon will appear.
• A tip or message balloon might appear in front of another balloon. Close the balloon in front to see the one behind it.
• Some message balloons close automatically when you click in the Office program window. These are informational messages that don't require a response.

  For example, when you check spelling, a message tells you when you're finished. You won't see this type of message again unless you repeat the action that causes it to appear— for example, when you check spelling again.

• Click an option button in the message displayed to continue to work in the Office program.
• If the message is no longer displayed but a tip or Help topic is, click anywhere in the program window to display the message again.