Introduction to Word Processors

Introduction to Word Processor

• Application software used for creating, editing, saving, and printing documents.
• Unlike simple text editors such as Notepad, which are for plain text, it allows for extensive modifications.
• In the 21st century, writing is more accessible via the internet and impacts daily information.

Key Features of Word Processors

• Overcomes limitations of manual typewriters, offering ease and speed.
• Editing features includes functions to copy, move, delete, rename, apply paragraphs, page numbers, headers, and footers.
• Formatting features such as bold, italic, underline, font name, font color, and WordArt enhance text appearance.
• Documents can be stored and easily retrieved.
• Graphics capabilities include drawing, charts, and picture importing.
• Print feature provides a "what you see is what you get" output.
• Spell Check underlines incorrect spellings in red, offering auto-correct options upon right-clicking.
• Mail Merge simplifies sending mass invitations with personalized names and addresses.
• OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) allows embedding content from other programs, with automatically updating chart values.
• Popular options are MS Word, Open Office, Google Docs, Notepad, and LibreOffice Writer.

Intro to Microsoft Word 2010

• Part of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Used for creating, saving, opening, editing, and formatting documents.
• To start MS Word 2010, click the Start button then Microsoft Office, then Microsoft Word 2010.
• A blank document named "Document 1" appears when opened.
• The cursor, a blinking vertical line, indicates where the next character will appear.
• MS Word opens in two windows: the application window and the document window.
• The application window is used to communicate with MS Word.
• The document window is used for typing, writing, and formatting text.

The Components of MS Word Window

• MS Word 2010 has a user-friendly interface.
• Major interface components include: File Tab, Quick Access Toolbar, Title Bar, and Ribbon.

File Tab

• Replaced the Office Button in 2007.
• Allows creating, opening, saving, and printing files, among other functions.

Quick Access Toolbar

• Upper left corner, customizable with frequently used icons.

Title Bar

• Top of the window, displays the document's title, defaulting to "Document 1".

Ribbon

• Contains tabs like File, Home, Insert, Page Layout, References, Mailings, Review, and View.
• Each tab contains groups of related commands.

Ribon: Home Tab

• Common tab with command groups:
  • Clipboard: Cut, copy, paste, and format painter.
  • Font: Font type, size, style, color, etc.
  • Paragraph: Alignment, indentation, bullets, numbering, etc.
  • Styles: Predefined text styles.
  • Editing: Find, replace, select.

Ribon: Insert Tab

• Used to insert elements:
  • Pages
  • Tables
  • Illustrations
  • Links
  • Header & Footer
  • Text
  • Symbols

Ribon: Page Layout Tab

• Modifies document layout:
  • Themes
  • Page Setup
  • Page Background
  • Paragraph
  • Arrange

Ribon: Reference Tab

• Manages table of contents, footnotes, citations & bibliography, captions, and index.

Ribon: Mailing Tab

• Used to create envelopes and labels, start mail merge etc.

Ribon: Review Tab

• Offers proofing (spell check, grammar), language, comments, and change tracking.

Ribbon: View Tab

• Controls document views, Show/Hide elements, Zoom, Window management, and Macros.

Clipboard

• Short-term storage for copied or cut content.
• Paste Options include copying hyperlinks and special files.
• The format painter copies formatting from one area to another.

Font Group

• Used to customize font size, style, color, subscripts, etc.
• Clear Formatting command reverts text to plain.
• Includes subscript and superscript options.
• Change the letter case to uppercase or lowercase.

Paragraph Group

• Features include bullets, numbering, multi-level lists, indent/decrease, paragraph settings, color, and alphabetical sorting.
• Has options to show/remove special characters and create right/left margins.

Styles Group

• Alters color styles and font size in the selected document.
• Heading options format titles.

Editing Group

• Used to find and replace text and add comments.

Working Area

• The main area for typing, editing, and formatting documents.

The Ruler Bar

• Located at the top and left sides of the screen.
• Vertical Rule: Vertical line indicating where the text begins.
• Horizontal Rule: Contains indents and margins used for page measurement.

Scroll Bars Vertical and Horizontal

• Used to navigate the current view.
• Located at the bottom and right of the window.

Use a Status Bar

• Located at the bottom edge of the window.
• Displays pages, words, and document information.
• Highlights proofing issues.
• Contains a zoom slider.

Document Views

• Print Layout: Shows how the document will appear when printed.
• Full Screen Reading: Displays the entire page.
• Web Layout: Shows the document as it would appear in a web browser.
• Outline: Shows document structure.
• Draft: Presents an unformatted version of the document.

Zoom Slider

• Located on the status bar.
• Allows quick document zoom.

Creating a Document

• Open MS Word.
• Click the File tab, then New.
• Select Blank document, then Create button.
• Alternatively, use Ctrl+End or the New Button in the Quick Access Toolbar.

Word Wrap vs. Enter Key

• Word Wrap: Automatically moves text to the subsequent line.
• Enter Key: Forces text to the next line or starts a new paragraph.

Word Wrap is good for

• Creating new lines of text
• To mark the end of a paragraph
• Leaving a blank line

Formatting Marks

• Indicate tabs, spaces, and markups such as:
• Dot = Space
• Paragraph Symbol = Paragraph
• Arrow Symbol = New Line
• Arrow With Lines Symbol = Position of tabs

Saving a Document

• Go to the File tab and click Save.
• Enter a name in the dialog box and click Save.

Saving a Document Using Passcode Protection

• Go to File tab, Save option, and open the dialogue box.
• Select Tools option, then General option.
• Enter a password to open and another to modify.
• Confirm the password after and the document is then protected.
• To change the password, enter a new code and update.

Explore the fundamentals and key features of word processors like MS Word. Understand how they differ from text editors and their impact on modern writing and information accessibility. This lesson highlights the importance of word processors in today's digital world.