Since its first version for Windows, Word for Windows 1.0, Word had been using the WIMP (windows, icons, menus, pointing device) design. Over fourteen years of its lifetime (1989 to 2003), Word had evolved into a very complex word processor with a long list of features. To handle such a rich feature base, Word’s WIMP user interface had developed sophisticated techniques such as adaptable menus, submenus and sub-submenus to reduce the amount of information presented to its user.

Adaptable menus

Secondly, the team studied Word 2007, which marks the initial release of the Ribbon UI. In this version, Microsoft Word received a major user interface redesign with the introduction of the Ribbon UI, the Office button, the Office menu and mega-menus.

The tabbed Ribbon UI / The elimination of sub-submenus

Finally, the team studied the user interface of Word 2010. The Ribbon UI featured in Word 2010 can be considered a slightly improved version of the original. Noticeable enhancements include a new minimize/maximize Ribbon UI menu button, the elimination of the Office button and a new File tab.

Minimize/Maximize Ribbon UI menu button

To improve the situation, Microsoft provided a minimize/maximize Ribbon button in Word 2010. Locating at the top right corner of the Ribbon and using the ‘︿’ and ‘﹀’characters as its icon for minimize and maximize respectively, the button obeys the Principle of Top-down Processing where users can apply their common knowledge of graphical user interface and expect that button to hide/expose the Ribbon.

Figure X: Minimizing and Maximizing the Ribbon

Elimination of the Office button / The File Tab and File Screen