Microsoft Word
Pat Madziar and Sharon Smith presented an excellent program on tips and tricks for getting the maximum benefit from Microsoft's popular word processing program, MS Word. Most computer users have used this program as either a stand-alone program, or as a part of Microsoft Works, or Microsoft Office Suite.
Most users confine themselves to learning how to write a letter, or make some notes. Pat and Sharon showed us what the program really can do! It is a full fledged publishing program which can be used to produce just about any kind of electronic or paper document that anyone would want. We have a summary in the Past Programs section of the club web site for those who want to try some of the more interesting features. Pat and Sharon stressed that the "Help" section of the program provides a wealth of information about the special features that are available.
The following is a summary table of many of the features that were demonstrated:
MS
Word Functions
Prepared by: Sharon Smith & Pat Madziar
(Note: The instructions below were developed using Word 2003)
|
Function/Tip |
Procedure |
|
1. Change default font (ie: type, size, color, bold/not bold, etc.) |
Format, Font, make selection, select Default, select Yes |
|
2. Drop caps (larger first letter which adds emphasis and/or artistic "look" to the document) |
Format, Drop Cap, select position, OK |
|
3. Insert symbols (ie: @ © & G ) |
Insert, Symbols, select desired symbol, Insert |
|
4. Reveal format (ie: identify how many font types and sizes are being used) |
Format, Reveal
Formatting |
|
5. Word count (we geeks all love numbers and minute details) |
Tools, Word
Count |
|
6. Find/replace text |
Edit, Find, Replace, enter Find What and Replace With, Replace All |
|
7. Adding table of contents which may help to locate information in a larger document |
Insert, References, Index and tables, Table of
Contents, Available Styles, TOC Level,
OK |
|
8. Creating letter heads the can be saved as a template that can be used in creating new documents in the future. |
View, Header and Footer, Switch Between Header and Footer, add the desired graphics, text, etc., Close, save |
|
9. Adding free flowing columns (eg: news letters) |
Format, Columns, select number of columns, OK |
|
10. Inserting Photo |
Insert, Picture, From File, Select the desired photo, Insert |
|
10. Adding photos and words below them (ie: figure number, etc.) |
Select the photo, Insert, Reference, Caption, add the desired caption information, OK |
|
11. Adding water marks (multiple uses such as providing decorative backgrounds, special projects such as Christmas cards, etc.) |
Format, Background, Print Watermark, select picture file, Insert |
|
12. Creating tables for text, &/or numbers |
Table, Insert, Table, enter the number of rows and columns, OK |
|
13. Creating calendars |
File, New, Template On My Computer, Other Documents, Calendar Wizard, select options |
|
14. Add bookmarks (note: they are required for applying hyperlinks in documents) |
Insert, Bookmark, type in the name for the bookmark, Add |
|
15. Add hyperlinks to points within the document, or to other files |
Select the word to be used to "launch" the
hyperlink, Insert, Hyperlink, Place In This Document (or other,
where applicable), select which bookmark you want to "jump to", OK |
|
16. Adding end notes with special symbols |
Click on desired insertion point, Insert, Reference, Footnote, End Note |
|
17. Auto correct (ie: using shortcuts to input full words) |
Tools, Auto
Correct, Replace ___ with ___, Insert, OK |
|
18. Tracking changes (ie: what's been revised since the baseline document was created?) |
View, Toolbars, Reviewing, Track Change button |
|
19. Embedding files (ie: other files can be attached and saved as one "package") |
Insert, Object, Create From File, check Display as Icon, Browse, find file, Insert, OK |
|
20."Auto saving" files to avoid info. loss in case of abnormal shutdowns or system crashes |
Tools, Options, Save AutoRecover info every, Minutes box (specify auto-saving frequency) |
|
21. Vertical alignment |
File, Page set up, Vertical alignment |
|
22. Hide text from printing |
Format, Font, Hidden text |
|
23. Macros, create toolbar buttons to automate routine multi-step tasks |
Tools, Macros, Record new macro (each version of WORD is slightly different process) |
|
24. Envelopes and Labels |
Tools, select Envelope or Label tab; select
Options to select a specific label
size by number or create a custom label.
Select Full page of same label,
or a single label at a specific
location |
|
25. Shortcut keys (find extensive list in HELP) |
F4 (repeat
the last action completed; typing, formatting, copy, paste, delete ) Ctrl + 2
double space lines (1, 5 or O) Ctrl+enter force a page break |
|
26. Shrink to fit |
Print preview, shrink to fit |
|
27. Display formatting |
Help, What is this? Click on what you want to see |
|
28. Show full pull down menus |
Tool, Customize, check Always Show Full Menus, Close |
|
29. To have the top row automatically repeated at the top of the next page(s) |
Table, Heading
Rows Repeat |