Microsoft Word Basics

• Microsoft Word is a word processing program.
• It allows users to create letters, flyers, reports, and other documents.
• It allows more to be done with word processing projects.
• When Word is opened, the Start Screen appears.
• The start screen allows for creating new documents with pre-made templates.
• You can create a document from a blank page or from a formatted template.
• When typing in a blank document the program uses default margins and line spacing.
• Margin defaults are 1-inch on the top, bottom, left, and right.
• Line spacing is set to 1.08, and spacing after each paragraph is 8 points.
• Word has tools and automatic features to make document creation easier.
• Word utilizes nonprinting characters as symbols for formatting commands.
• Nonprinting characters include symbols for paragraphs, indents, tabs, and spaces.
• These symbols are helpful for editing but are hidden by default.
• The Show/Hide button, in the Paragraph group of the Home tab, displays these symbols.
• Hidden symbols do not appear when a document is printed.
• White space is the area between pages, visible as a gray area in Print Layout view.
• Double-clicking between pages reduces the gray white space that is shown.
• Newly created documents are saved with a filename specific to the content.
• When saving a document for the first time, one must specify a filename, the file type, and a location.
• The filename should help users find and identify the file, and the location should be convenient.

Interface Parts

• Quick Access Toolbar - Allows quick access of common functions.
• Ribbon - Contains a wealth of functions and features.
• Document page - The page on which the document is being created.
• Insertion point - The current location on the document being edited.
• Document title - The title of the current document being worked on.
• Microsoft Account - Sign into Microsoft to share documents and access personal settings.
• Collapse ribbon - Hides the ribbon at the top, only showing the tabs.
• Status bar - Displays status information about the current file.
• Zoom slider - Changes the zoom of the current page.
• The Ribbon contains all of the commands needed to perform common tasks.
• The Ribbon contains multiple tabs.
• Each ribbon tab contains groups of commands.
• The Ruler is located at the top and to the left of the document.
• The Ruler is used to make alignment and spacing adjustments.
• The vertical scroll bar used for navigating pages of the document.
• Access the Quick Access Toolbar, to use common commands no matter the tab.
• The Quick Access Toolbar include Save, Undo, and Redo commands.
• The Tell Me tool helps to locate specific commands that aren't in a known location.
• From the Microsoft Account, you can access Microsoft account information, view your profile, and switch accounts.
• The Page and Word Count tool allows quickly see the number of words and pages.
• The Zoom Control tool allows for zooming in or out of the current document.

Document Views

• Read Mode displays your document in full-screen mode.
• Print Layout shows how the document looks when printed and is selected by default.
• Web Layout shows how the document would look as a webpage.
• Command groups all contain a series of command.
• Clicking any command applies it to the selected text.
• Some groups have an arrow in the bottom-right corner for more commands.

Assignments

• Open Word and create a blank document.
• Customize the Quick Access Toolbar by adding New, Quick Print, and Spelling & Grammar options.
• Type "Shape" in the Tell Me bar and press Enter.
• Choose a shape from the menu and double-click to insert it into your document.
• Ensure the Ruler is visible.
• Set the zoom level of the document to 120%.