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How to Take a Screenshot of a Drop-Down Menu in Word 365

Steve K Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to capture an image of an active drop-down menu in Word 365 without it closing.

How to Take a Screenshot of a Drop-Down Menu in Word 365

Product: Microsoft Word 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Documenting steps, creating tutorials, or capturing interface options within a Word document.
Observed behavior: The drop-down menu disappears as soon as a standard screen capture tool or the Insert Screenshot command is clicked.

Before you start

Ensure that the Snipping Tool application is updated in Windows and close any unnecessary background applications to prevent keyboard shortcut conflicts.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Windows Snipping Tool Keyboard Shortcut

Bypassing the mouse click prevents the menu from closing, allowing you to capture the active Word interface instantly.

By utilizing the built-in Windows keyboard shortcut, you can activate the screen capture overlay without shifting focus away from the Microsoft Word window.

Open the drop-down menu

Open Word 365 and click to expand the desired drop-down menu that you wish to capture.

Activate the shortcut

Press the Windows key + Shift + S simultaneously on your keyboard. Your screen will immediately dim, indicating the capture tool is active.

Select the capture area

Click and drag your cursor to draw a rectangle over the drop-down menu area. Release the mouse to take the screenshot.

Paste the screenshot

The screenshot is now saved to your Windows clipboard. Press Ctrl + V to paste it directly into your Word document or an image editor.

Use the Windows Snipping Tool Keyboard Shortcut

Quick Tip: If you need to edit the screenshot before pasting, click the notification that pops up in the bottom right corner of your screen to open the Snipping Tool editor.

Solution 2

Use the Snipping Tool Delay Option

Setting a timer gives you a few seconds to open the Word menu before the screen freezes for capture.

Solution 3

Use the Print Screen (PrtScn) Key

A classic method to capture the entire monitor display, including active menus, which you can crop later.

Built-in Screenshot Tool

Easily Capture Screen Elements with WPS Office

If you frequently need to take screenshots of menus, software interfaces, or web pages to insert into your documents, WPS Office offers a built-in Screen Capture tool that works seamlessly without needing external apps.

1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and navigate to the Insert tab on the top ribbon.
2. Select the Screen Capture tool: Click on the Screenshot drop-down menu and select Screen Capture, or simply use the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + X.
3. Capture the active menu: Open the drop-down menu or interface element you want to record. The built-in tool will freeze the screen effortlessly.
4. Insert into document: Drag to select the area, and click the checkmark icon in the capture toolbar to insert the screenshot directly into your document.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats.Built-in screen capture tool to easily grab active menus and windows.Allows pinning screenshots to the screen for easy reference.Free, lightweight, and features a familiar tabbed interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Word drop-down menu close when I try to take a screenshot?

Drop-down menus are temporary UI elements designed to close when they lose focus. Clicking an external app like the Snipping Tool transfers the operating system's focus away from Word, causing the menu to collapse automatically.

Can I use the Insert Screenshot feature in Word to capture its own drop-down menu?

No, the built-in Insert Screenshot tool in Word automatically minimizes the active Word window to capture other open applications behind it. To capture Word's own menus, you must use system-level shortcuts like Win + Shift + S or the Print Screen key.

How do I stop the Snipping Tool from opening automatically when I press Print Screen?

In Windows 11, go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard. Find the option 'Use the Print screen key to open Snipping Tool' and toggle it off. This reverts the key to its traditional function of copying the entire screen to your clipboard.

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