What is Microsoft Word?

What is Microsoft Word?

• Microsoft Word is a word processor program
• Microsoft developed it
• First released on October 25, 1983
• Initially named Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems
• Versions were created for IBM PCs running DOS (1983)
• Also for Apple Macintosh running Classic Mac OS (1985)
• AT&T UNIX PC (1985), Atari ST (1988), OS/2 (1989)
• Microsoft Windows (1989), SCO Unix (1990)
• macOS (2001), Web browsers (2010), iOS (2014), and Android (2015) were included later
• Commercial versions can be purchased as a standalone product or as part of the Microsoft 365 suite
• Purchasable through a perpetual license or a Microsoft 365 subscription

Purpose and Importance

• Software designed for word processing tasks like typing, editing, and printing
• Offers precise control over the creation and presentation of typographic work
• Provides features for basic graphic design, statistical reporting, and spelling/grammar checks
• Facilitates the creation of various documents: letters, memos, reports, and novels
• Provides specialized tools for document formatting
• Has spelling and grammar check and Thesaurus
• Includes a word count feature for statistical reports
• Drawing and graphics editing tools are available to add visuals
• Sounds and video handling tools exist for multimedia integration
• Wizards are available for creating merged faxes, form letters, labels, and envelopes
• Useful for producing large volumes of text
• Simplifies the creation and maintenance of mailing lists and newsletters
• Facilitates document sharing for feedback
• Customized assistance is provided
• External files or objects can be imported
• Exports to other packages is possible, for example Lotus Notes, WordPerfect
• Useful for various documents like letters, reports, research, typesetting books, and periodicals
• Word is helpful when you want to create large volumes of content
• Used for customized documents, newsletters, and mailing lists
• Enables document sharing for feedback and offers customized assistance
• Importing files is possible for creating archives

Why Use Microsoft Word?

• It is a graphical word processing program requiring keyboard input that
• Microsoft created
• Goal of MS Word is to enable users to type and save documents
• Capabilities to aid in document creation
• Accessible on most computers, notably those running Windows via the Microsoft Suite
• Saved documents transferable via flash drive, acts as external memory for accessible use
• Creates unique formats based on customer needs
• Used for business cards, letters, and various materials
• Includes text styles, shapes, clip art, and charts

Integration and Features

• Can integrate with other Microsoft products like Excel by pasting spreadsheets
• Microsoft Word and PowerPoint can be used together
• PowerPoint presentations can be converted into Word reports, including thumbnails
• You can use the built-in spell check to Repair misspelled words
• MS Word's Navigation sheet feature is beneficial for its wide range of activities
• Should be used to reduce time, effort, and energy, and ensure users’ professional requirements are met

Parts and Functions

• Date created: December 9, 2017
• Author: Comp21010
• Ribbon: Located above the work area, contains command buttons grouped by common purpose and 7 tabs
• Office Button: Drop-down menu includes options to open, save, and print and ability to pin files
• Rulers: Indicates your position on the page
• Tab Selector Button: Sets tab stops (left, right, center, decimal) and changes tab style
• Document: The typing area where content is seen
• Status Bar: Customizable row showing page number, word count, caps lock, and zoom slide
• View Shortcuts: Four buttons to change document view (print layout, full screen reading, web layout, draft)
• Task Bar: Shows open programs
• Zoom Slide: Adjusts the document's zoom level
• View Ruler Button: Toggles ruler visibility
• Screen Split Button: Located above the vertical scroll bar, splits the screen in two when double-clicked
• Scroll Bars: (vertical and horizontal) allow viewing of the entire document
• Right Indent: Adjusts the right margin of a paragraph
• Group: Clusters command buttons of related functions together
• Quick Launch Bar/Dialogue Box Launcher: Located in the bottom right-hand corner of some groups, opens a dialog box for more options
• Title Bar: Displays program and document name, minimize, maximize, and close buttons
• Quick Access Toolbar: Customizable toolbar for frequently used commands
• Tab: The ribbon is divided into 7 tabs, each with a common goal.
• First Line Indent: The triangle that controls where the first line of paragraph begins
• Hanging Indent: Does the opposite of the first line indent

Paragraph Formatting

• Paragraphs are defined as text ending with a hard return inserted by pressing Enter
• Formatting Appearance can be modified (alignment, spacing) affecting individual paragraphs
• Paragraph formatting is stored and carried to the next paragraph upon pressing enter
• Paragraph Alignment: Affects how lines appear relative to margins
• Use alignment buttons from the Formatting toolbar or keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+L, Ctrl+R, Ctrl+E, Ctrl+J)
• Line Spacing: Adjusts vertical space between lines
• Single-spacing is the default, but it can be changed
• Paragraph Space: Adjusts space above or below paragraphs rather than pressing Enter
• Use the Line Spacing button or Paragraph settings to choose spacing options (single, double, multiple)
• Paragraph Indents: Increase the space between the paragraph and the margins
• Indents can be added to emphasize paragraphs

Tabs

• Tabs align text and insert a tab character when pressed, moving to the tab stop
• Custom tabs can be set or use default tab settings to distribute text evenly between margins
• Default tabs are set every half-inch indicated by tick marks on the horizontal ruler
• Custom Tabs include left, center, right, and decimal-aligned
• Set using the Tabs Dialog Box or the ruler

Page Breaks

• Text automatically flows from line to line and page to page through pagination
• Hard and Soft Page Breaks used to control pagination
• Word calculates space based on paper size and margins, creating soft page breaks
• Soft page breaks shows as a horizontal dotted line in Normal view, or the bottom of the page in Print Layout view

Tables and Columns

• Tables a grid of rows and columns forming cells
• Gridlines define the cells
• Use Word's table feature to Create tables of with text, pictures, or tables
• Insert a table using the Insert Table dialog box or the Insert Table button, or draw one with the Tables and Borders Toolbar

Table Elements

• Columns: The vertical series of cells in a table
• Rows: The horizontals series of cells in a table
• Cells: The intersection between a row and column
• apply formatting with or without gridlines
• Table have text keyed and edit
• If Enter is pressed, a new paragraph is set
• First row is the header row, headings are contained in cells
• Keyboard Shortcuts:
  • Next Cell: Tab
  • Previous Cell: Shift + Tab
  • First Cell in Row: Alt + Home
  • Last Cell in Row: Alt + End
  • Top Cell in Column: Alt + PgUp
  • Last Cell in Column: Alt + PgDn

Line Spacing in Paragraphs

• The space between each line that can be customized
• Can be single spaced, double spaced or custom
• Default in Word is 1.08 lines, slightly larger than single spaced