Word Processing Software Overview

Word Processing Software

• Word processing software, like Microsoft Word 2013, is the most common type.
• It's used by students, office assistants, managers, and professionals.
• Word processing software creates various documents, including newsletters, invoices, partnership agreements, and flyers.

The Word Window

• The Ribbon is a key feature, used for creating, modifying, and enhancing documents.
• The title bar displays the file's name and Windows control buttons for help.
• The Quick Access Toolbar (at the top) allows saving, undo, and redo.
• The status bar (at the bottom) provides information like word count, page count, and current position.
• View buttons adjust document display.
• The Zoom slider allows resizing.
• Scroll bars enable moving through long documents.

A Word Document

• Word automatically wraps text to the right margin (soft return).
• Pressing Enter creates a hard return (paragraph mark).
• Non-printing characters (tabs, spaces, hard returns) can be displayed using Show/Hide.

Reuse Text

• To reuse text, insert it from a previously saved document.
• Click Insert, Object, Text From File, locate, and double-click the file.

Reviewing a Document

• Word's automated tools help spot typographical and grammatical errors.
• Misspelled words appear underlined in red.
• Grammatical errors are underlined in blue.
• A thesaurus is available for finding synonyms.
• A dictionary displays definitions.

Reviewing Word Usage in a Document

• Right-clicking underlined errors can correct them.
• Word can check the entire document, pausing at errors for correction.
• Use Spelling & Grammar (in the Review tab) for an entire document check.
• Check Word Count in the Review tab for the word count in a document.

Headers and Footers

• Headers and footers enhance document appearance.
• Headers are at the top of each page, consisting of text like name, author, or title.
• Footers are at the bottom of each page, often containing page numbers or dates.
• Headers and footers are created/modified in the Insert tab.
• Predefined styles or custom formats are available.

Inserting Symbols

• Symbols (text, graphics, foreign language characters) can be inserted.
• Word has a symbol library and shortcut keys.
• Fonts containing symbols, like Wingdings, Webdings, and Symbol.
• Character codes can be used for inserting symbols (Alt+X).

Adjusting Margins

• Margins are blank areas around the document.
• Changing margins adjusts document appearance.
• Margins are adjusted through Page Layout > Margins (predefined or custom).
• Click Print in File to change margins.

Changing Page Orientation

• Documents can use portrait or landscape orientation (taller or wider).
• Change orientation in the Page Layout tab > Orientation.
• The orientation can also be changed in the Page Setup dialog box in the Print options.

Inserting Watermarks

• Watermarks are text or graphics that appear behind text on a page.
• They help indicate document status or display logos.
• Watermarks aren't visible in web pages.
• They can be created by selecting styles or custom designs (with color, size, and font).

Document Inspector

• The Document Inspector checks and removes hidden, personal information.
• It's essential to save a copy of the original document before using the Inspector.
• The inspector dialog allows selecting types of content to check or remove.

Document Properties

• Document properties include author, purpose, audience, etc.
• They can be displayed under the File tab.
• Data like file size, page count, and number of words can also be viewed.