1. Getting Started with Application Software
Chapter 8
Getting Started with Application Software

2. What’s Inside and on the CD?
In this chapter, you will:
Look at common features found in most Windows applications
Gain a foundation for working with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access
Discover this material also applies to working with a browser and
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

3. How do I start and exit Windows applications?
Before you start
Computer should be on
Start button should be displayed at bottom of screen
Close all programs
When you are finished using, to free up memory
Before initiating shut down procedures
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

4. How do I start and exit Windows applications?
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5. How do I start and exit Windows applications?
When you install a new program
It is added to All Programs menu
To start, click its name
Start menu options
symbol represents multiple programs
When you click one of the options, a list is displayed
Click program you want to start
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6. How do I start and exit Windows applications?
Some programs are represented by an icon on Windows desktop as well
Double-click to use these icons
To close a program
click Close button
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7. What are the components of an application window?
An open program is displayed in rectangular application window on the Windows desktop
Title bar displays:
Name of program
Name of open file
Minimizing, maximizing, and closing buttons
Menu bar provides access to commands for controlling program
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

8. What are the components of an application window?
Toolbar contains small pictures to use as shortcuts
Microsoft Office 2007 modules include a ribbon instead of a menu bar
Provides access to commands and options
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

9. What are the components of an application window?
Status bar contains information about current condition of program
Current page number
Zoom level
Web page address
Side scroll bar moves text or graphic up or down window
Horizontal scroll bar scrolls documents from side to side
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10. What are the components of an application window?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

11. How do I switch between application windows?
Open application windows are represented by buttons on taskbar
Clicking one of these buttons brings it to front of desktop
An active program is indicated by a distinctly colored taskbar button
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

12. How do I switch between application windows? Cont’d.
Click any visible part of hidden window to make it active
If window is minimized, click program button on taskbar to restore it
When multiple data files are open in a single program such as MS Word, click the Switch Windows command from the Windows group on the View tab
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13. How do I switch between application windows?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

14. How do menus and toolbars work?
Most applications include menu bar
Typically, a menu bar provides access to all features of program
Toolbars are typically displayed below menu bar and contain several buttons
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

15. How do menus and toolbars work?
You can browse through menu items to find all features of program
To close menu, click menu title or press Esc
For fast menu access, hold Alt key and press underlined letter
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

16. How do menus and toolbars work?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

17. How does the ribbon work?
In Microsoft Office 2007, the ribbon replaces the menu bar and toolbars
Divided into a hierarchy consisting of tabs, groups, and commands
Tabs are divided into groups
Groups contain commands
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

18. How does the ribbon work?
The Microsoft Office button leads to many of the commands that existed on the File menu
The Quick Access toolbar contains commands that you use regularly
Contextual tabs contain formatting options for an object and appear when an object is selected
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

19. How does the ribbon work?
Dialog boxes can be opened from the Dialog Box Launcher in the lower-right corner of a group
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

20. How does the ribbon work?
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21. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8
How do I open a file?
Data is stored in files on hard disks, CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, and other storage media
Files are referred to in different ways, e.g.:
A Microsoft Word file is called a document, while a PowerPoint file is called a presentation
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

22. How do I open a file? Cont’d.
There are several ways to open file:
Use the Recent Items option on the Start menu
Double-click file shortcut icon if one exists on windows desktop
Double-click file name from within Windows Explorer
Use Open dialog box provided by application
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

23. How do I open a file? Cont’d.
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

24. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8
How do I save a file?
When you create a file, you must save it to use it in the future
Common file problems include
Storage device not available
File not saved
File stored in the wrong folder
File moved
File is corrupted
Incompatible file type
Wrong association
File has the wrong extension
Product or version incompatibility
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25. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8
How do I save a file?
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26. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8
How do I save a file?
When you first save a file, you must name it
The file extension is separated from file name by (.) period. Windows will automatically add appropriate extension
File name extension is associated with particular file format
Use Save As when you want to change a file’s name or its location
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27. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8
How do I save a file?
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28. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8
How do I save a file?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

29. How do I change the settings for an application?
Most application software is preconfigured with a set of application defaults
Most software allows you to modify application defaults
Look for Options or Preferences on the File or Tools menu
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

30. How do I change the settings for an application?
Microsoft Office applications default to folders predefined in Windows
Don’t assume that the autosave feature is activated as your application default
Be conservative when you change application defaults
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

31. How do I change the settings for an application?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

32. How do I access help for an application?
Access help from variety of sources
General questions on software use can be answered by on–screen Help windows
Comprehensive electronic user manual
Office Online
Additional help from user manual, CD, or third party books
Check on-line user groups or publisher’s Web sites
Use a search engine such as Google to get help
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33. How do I access help for an application?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

34. How do I access help for an application?
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