Getting to Know Microsoft Word & Word Window Learning Guide

Microsoft Word is a word processing software (program) which is typically used for typing letters, reports and other documents such as newsletters and brochures.

The file button is central location for managing documents and accessing templates. A template is a pre-defined layout for a document. Word provides templates for documents like calendars, resumes, memos and flyers.

To open a file: file button > open To open a file: file button > open. To save a file: file button > save as . Note: Save allows you to save something you have already saved previously but just made changes to. Save as allows you to save something with a new identity, such as the name, location, or file type.

A shortcut for printing is Control P; Some other useful shortcuts are: Select a word = double click the word Select a sentence = control >click Select a paragraph = triple click the sentence Select a whole document = control A

Besides cut and paste, text can be dragged and dropped to other locations. The back arrow will undo an action and the forward arrow will redo an action. The undo icon can be found on the Quick Access Toolbar.

FORMATTING A word processor offers many features that let you change the appearance of your document; this is called formatting. Formatting features in the font group include font size, font face, bold, underline, italics, change case and font color.

The keyboard short cut to change fonts caps (uppercase, lowercase, title case) is shift F3. The format painter button allows you to copy font appearance and style. To repeat the same style in multiple places, format painter twice.

Another way to format your text is to use text alignment Another way to format your text is to use text alignment. There are four types of alignment found in the paragraph group: center, left, right, and justify alignment.

Line spacing is often required to format a document Line spacing is often required to format a document. The line spacing button is in the paragraph group. Shortcut keys are: CTRL 2 for double space; CTRL 1 for single space; and CTRL 5 for 1.5 spacing.

Styles & Themes Styles are located on the HOME TAB>STYLES GROUP Themes is a set of unified formats for fonts, colors, and graphics. Themes can be found on the DESIGN TAB>THEMES GROUP Themes can only be applied if a STYLE has been added to the text.

SPELL CHECK AND MARGINS The spell check menu is in the REVIEW TAB>PROOFING group. Using AutoCorrect automatically corrects common spelling errors as you type. Auto Complete guesses certain words you are keying in from the first few letters keyed. When a word has a “is incorrect” spelling, a red wavy line appears. When the grammar/punctuation is incorrect, a green wavy line appears. Margins are another way of formatting your document. The path to set margins is: Page Layout Tab>Page Setup Group>Margin button.

HEADERS & FOOTERS; PRINTING The path to create a header or footer is: INSERT TAB>HEADERS OR FOOTER The items that go in the header or footer are usually your name, assignment name, date, period, teacher name, page number. The print preview command enables you to look at a document as it will appear when printed. There are two ways to print text on a page: portrait documents are longer than they are wide; landscape documents are wider than they are long.

Printing The print preview command enables you to look at a document as it will appear when printed. There are two ways print text on a page – portrait documents are longer than they are wide (horizontal); landscape documents are wider than they are long (vertical).

THE QUICK ACCESS TOOLBAR Provides access to commonly used tasks like saving a document. It can be personalized to fit your needs.

THE TITLE BAR Title Bar Displays the name of the active document. It shows the default file name if the file is unsaved.

THE RIBBON The Ribbon is grouped according to the task being performed.

TABS Tabs allow access to various groups of commands on the ribbon. Each tab has its own ribbon and each represents an activity area.

GROUPS – Each tab has several groups that show related items together GROUPS – Each tab has several groups that show related items together. Font, paragraph and styles are the main groups. Groups

COMMAND COMMAND A command is a button or a box to enter information in, or a menu.

Dialog Box Launcher Dialog box launcher The dialog box launcher allows you to see more options related to that group.

The Ruler – found beneath the ribbon, can be used to change the format of your document quickly. If it isn’t showing, click on the View tab to display it. The Ruler

The Insertion Point Insertion Point The blinking vertical line in where whatever you type or past in an application will be inserted.

The Status Bar Displays info like the current page and the number of words in your document Status Bar

The Zoom Bar Shows a close-up view of your file or allows you to see more of the page at a reduced size. Zoom Bar