An Introduction to Microsoft Word WHAT IS WORD

An Introduction to Microsoft ‘Word’

WHAT IS WORD? Ø Ø Microsoft ‘Word’ is a program to create documents such as letters, reports, lists or stories. These documents can also include pictures and diagrams.

WHERE DO WE FIND IT? Ø Three possible places – depending on how the computer has been set up: – – – Via a shortcut on the Desktop. On the “Start” menu under “Microsoft Office”. Using File Explorer in the “Program Files” menu.

Desktop Shortcut Icon M/S Word Shortcut

Accessing the Start Menu Click here (on your desktop) to open the Start Menu

Using File Explorer This is the ‘Word’ program (under ‘Program Files (x 86)’)

To start the program. . . Ø Ø Desktop Shortcut Icon – double left click. On the other two - single left click on the words.

You will see something like this. . . Document Name Basic Tool Bars (Top part of) Blank page

What has ‘Word’ done? Ø Ø Ø It has set up a blank page ready for you to use to create your document, including a standard way for how everything will look. This will happen in the same way every time you start the Word program. This is called the “Normal Format”.

The Toolbars Ø Ø It has also established the “tools” you’re going to need to do the main things you want to do. These are called “Toolbars”. We’ll be coming back to these later. Note that the default “Style” the program has chosen for you is the “Normal” Style.

“Normal” Style Ø Ø Ø Includes how and where whatever you type as part of your document appears on the paper. Includes the shape and size of the letters. You can change these aspects of the Normal Style as you proceed, BUT; – – You need to know more before you try this! You never do this on someone else's computer!

The appearance of your document This determines the appearance of the lettering in your document. It is called the “Font”. This sets the size of your lettering This shows which general Style you are using

Font and Font Size Ø Ø Ø “Font” is the name given to each different shape of lettering you choose for your document. Many fonts are made available to you. Font Size refers to how big the letters are. Both can be changed by you at any time while you are creating your document.

Personalize your document Ø Ø Ø The easiest way to make your document look the way you want is to change the Font and Font Size. You can also make the type Bold, Italicize it and/or Underline the text. The colour of the lettering can be changed as well!

The appearance of your document Click here to Bold your text This one is used to underline text This will italicize the letters Click on the ‘down’ arrow to choose what colour you want for your text

‘Save’ your work Ø Ø We are going to create a document. There are three steps: Ø Ø STEP 1: Type the document and save it. STEP 2: Correct any mistakes and save it again. STEP 3: If desired, make any required changes and save it again. (We keep saving because we’re not the world’s fastest typists and we’d hate to waste all that work!)

How to Save your document Ø Ø Ø Click on the ‘File’ tab near the top, left of the screen. Select ‘Save As’ from the drop-down menu. Choose where you want to save the document. (The ‘Documents’ Library Folder is a popular choice. ) Enter the name you want to give your document. Click on the ‘Save’ button near the bottom of the screen.

Now we’ll create our own document Ø Ø It doesn’t matter what type of document you choose to create. Don’t try to make it a masterpiece – remember, we’re all beginners at this lark! Concentrate on getting the text typed-in so that you can save it. We’ll have plenty of time to make any necessary changes after the document has been created and saved.