General Purpose Packages Word Processors

Lesson Objectives You will know Different Features of word processing software: –Formatting –Standard Paragraphs –Search & Replace –Spell Check –Standard Letters –Optical Character Recognition

What is a Word Processor? Software package that is used to write, edit and print text. A dedicated word processor is a system that can only be used for word processing.

Features of WP software Entering Text –When you type text at the keyboard it appears on the screen and is stored in the computer's memory. Editing Text –Inserting, Deleting & Amending. Word Wrap –This is where the word processor automatically jumps to a new line at the end of a line.

Features of WP software Formatting –Alter page size & layout (Orientation) –Alter text alignment (Justification) –Set margins –Line spacing –Page breaks –Alter text style –Tabulation & Tables

Standard paragraphs –A standard paragraph is a piece of document that is saved on it’s own so that it can be recalled when required. Search and Replace –Replace one word with another all the way through the text. –Globally Replace every occurrence of the word. –Selectively Shows and asks user each word before changing. Features of WP software

Spell check –A spell checker is part of a word processor, which can check each word in the text against a dictionary of words held by the computer. –Problems: Names of places and people Correct spelling but wrong word (Their & There) Grammar Check –Works similar to spell checker but is not perfect and can make wrong suggestions Features of WP software

Standard letters A standard letter is simply a letter which may be used repeatedly with slight variations It will be saved with blanks to be filled in as needed to personalise the letter. Used for Mail Shots. Dear You are the lucky winner of our prize draw first round. Name: Miss Watt Address1: 4 West Wood Address2: Kirkland Post Code: KI2 9QU Name: Mrs Brown Address1: 4 West Wood Address2: Kirkland Post Code: KI2 9QU Name: Mr Love Address1: 4 West Wood Address2: Kirkland Post Code: KI2 9QU Name: Mr Smith Address1: 4 West Wood Address2: Kirkland Post Code: KI2 9QU Standard Letter Data file Mail Merged to produce Mr Smith 4 West Wood Kirkland KI2 9QU Dear Mr Smith You are the lucky winner of our prize draw first round. Mr Love 8 Sunny Rd Westlow WL9 8ED Dear Mr Love You are the lucky winner of our prize draw first round. Mrs Brown 16 The Castle Hairness HH8 8IU Dear Mrs Brown You are the lucky winner of our prize draw first round. Miss Watt The Inches Greenrives GG8 1JK Dear Miss Watt You are the lucky winner of our prize draw first round. Features of WP software

Features of WP software Optical Character-Recognition –Enables you to enter and edit text using a scanner –The OCR software compares the shapes on the page with shapes of the characters. –Not perfect but saves a lot of time

Advantages of a Word Processor Word processing allows more work to be complete in a shorter time by fewer staff! If you make a mistake you don’t need to start again If you need more than one copy you can print it again at anytime.