If you use Word 2007, and find that you often need to scroll through documents to make changes or review layouts, you can use the split screen feature in the Window options in the view tab on the ribbon. You can split a document screen into two horizontal sections so you can view two parts of the document at the same time. This is an easier way to copy and paste information from one area of the document to another, or even keep specific text in view as you type further on without having to scroll.

You can use split screen without accessing from the ribbon: hover your mouse pointer over the small rectangular box located at the top of the vertical scroll bar. This is the split box. Your mouse pointer will convert to a doubled-headed pointer when hovering over the split box. Click and hold the left mouse button, and then drag the box down to split the screen at the location of your choice. When you release the split box, there will be a horizontal split across the screen. The top pane and bottom pane work almost like two separate documents in that you can enlarge or reduce the view of the top or bottom; each has its own ruler; and each has its own scroll bars.

You can resize the panes by repositioning the split box, which now reaches the width of the document screen. To do this, hover you mouse anywhere on the split box. Your pointer will convert to a double-headed pointer. Hold down on the left mouse button, and drag the split box up or down to adjust the panes to the height you want.

If you want to remove the split screen, hover your mouse over the split tab, then either click and drag the tab all the way up, or double-click the split box to refresh the screen to a single pane. If you prefer, you can access the split screen tool from the ribbon: click the view tab, and then, in the Window group, click the split button. Your mouse arrow will now automatically convert to a double-headed pointer as before. You can then drag the split bar to position. On the view tab, in the Window group, click the remove split button to return to a single document window.

The easiest and quickest way to scroll through a document is to click and hold the up or down scroll arrow on the vertical scroll bar. To scroll to a specific page, drag the scroll box on the vertical scroll bar. To page through the document, hold control and the double up or down arrow. Click on the circular icon to click the 'Select Browse Object' which allows you to browse a document by page, edits, headings, or other item. If a dialog box opens, enter the name or number of the item you want to find.

With split screen, you can even compare separate documents. Simply open both of the files that you want to compare. Now, on the view tab, in the Window group, click 'View Side by Side'. To scroll both documents at the same time, click 'Synchronous Scrolling' in the Window group on the view tab. If you don't see sSynchronous scrolling, click Window on the view tab, and then click 'Synchronous Scrolling'. To close 'Side by Side' view, click 'View Side by Side' in the Window group on the view tab.

So, remember, the next time you find yourself endlessly turning that scroll wheel: stop. Use Split: it's easier for you, and easier on the mouse.