Introduction

By Cameila Reid
Introduction to Microsoft Word 1

What is Microsoft Word?
Microsoft Word is an example of word
processing programs. Word processors are used to create and
print text documents similarly to a typewriter. The main benefit
of using a word processor is changes are easily made including
correcting spelling; adding, deleting, formatting, relocating text
and also inserting images. Once a document is created it is easy
to print regardless the number of copies and can be save for
later modifications or send to a friend/ associate via e-mail.
Microsoft Word is available on both PCs and Macs, so what
you learn in class today should be applicable to any computer
you use. The program may be slightly different depending on
the version and computer that you are using, but Microsoft
Word will function in the same basic ways. There are other
word processors that perform the same tasks as Microsoft
Word, these are: OpenOffice.org document, WordPerfect,
Apple Pages and WordPad. They have many features in
Introduction to Microsoft Word 2

common with Microsoft Word, and you should explore using
these word processors as well.













Introduction to Microsoft Word 3

Using Microsoft Word
In order to start using Microsoft Word (sometimes called MS
Word), you have to locate and open the program on your
computer. To open the program, point the cursor to the Words
icon on the desktop with the mouse and double-click on it with
the left mouse button. If the MS Word icon is not on the
desktop, you will have to access the program from the Start
Menu. Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner to
pull up the Start Menu.




Start button

Start Menu
Introduction to Microsoft Word 4

The MS Word should appear as seen above, and then click on
it once with your left button. If it does not appear in the start
menu, click on All Programs and scroll through the list of
programs until you find it. Click once with your left button to
open the program.
Microsoft Word will then open and a blank page called
Document 1 will appear. This box features two important
information: the name of the file that you are currently working
on (in this case, Document 1 since we have not yet renamed
it) and the name of the program you are using Microsoft
Word.



Name of document
Blank
document
Introduction to Microsoft Word 5

You should notice a blinking in the top left corner of the paper.
This means you are now able to start typing on this sheet of
paper which is known as the document.

















Introduction to Microsoft Word 6

Features of Microsoft Word


This is a view of the Title Bar, where the file information is
located. It shows the name of the file and the name of the
program. On the right side of the title bar there are three
buttons, these buttons control the size of the program and
exiting the program.








Minimize:
Click this button
to shrink the
window to a
small button that
will appear in
the task bar
Restore:
Click this button to
make the window
smaller
Close:
Click this button to
close the window. The
program will close and
stop running. Make sure
you save your work
before closing program.
Close:
Click this button to
close the window.
The program will
close and stop
running. Make sure
your work is save
Introduction to Microsoft Word 7






















Maximize:
Click this button
to make the
window as large
as the entire
screen.
Maximize:
Left- click this button
to make the window
as large the entire
screen.
Introduction to Microsoft Word 8

Ribbon Menu System
The tabbed Ribbon menu system which combines the menu
bar and toolbar in a single floating pane, allows the user to
navigate through Word and access various Word commands. In
previous versions of Microsoft Word, the Ribbon system
replaces the traditional menus.




Zoom Tool
Ribbon
Page
view
Zoom
Tool
Introduction to Microsoft Word 9

The File Menu
In Microsoft Office 2007, there is a button in the top left-hand
corner called the Microsoft Office Button however in
Microsoft Office 2010, this has been replaced with a tab in the
Ribbon called File. When you left-click on this tab, a drop-
down menu appears. From this menu, you are able to perform
the same functions as with the Microsoft Office Button menu,
such as: create a new document, open existing files, save files
and print documents.

On the top left-hand side of the Title
Bar, you will see several little icons
above the File menu. These let you
perform common tasks, such as saving
and undoing, without having to find
them in a menu. We will look at this
icon in the next class.

Drop-down Menu
Introduction to Microsoft Word 10

Home Tab
The most frequently used commands in Microsoft Word are on
the home tab. The Home Tab Toolbar offers options that can
change the font, size, colour, alignment, organization and style
of a text in the document. Each of these options unfold into a
menu when you left-click on the tiny arrow that points down,
that is located in the bottom right corner of the window. Some
of these commands are:









Paste
Cut
Copy Font
Bold
Italic
Underline Font
Colour
Text Alignment
Table
Bullets
Arrow
Introduction to Microsoft Word 11

The Ruler
The Ruler is found below the Ribbon and tells where the text
is on the page, along with the dimensions of the entire
document. Just like a normal paper, the default setting of a
Microsoft Word document is 8.5 x 11 inches. The margins are
already incorporated for the user and like most options in MS
Word, it is customizable therefore the user can create a
document of any dimensions.











Right Indent
Left Indent
Right Indent
Introduction to Microsoft Word 12

Bibliography

A Basic Introduction to MS Word. Retrieved on June 4, 2014
from http://dlib.info/home/leo/
Introduction to Microsoft Word. Retrieved on June 4, 2014
from http://www.functionx.com/word/Lesson01.htm
Introduction to Microsoft Word. Retrieved on June 4, 2014
from
http://www.mackenty.org/images/uploads/Introduction%20to%
20Microsoft%20Word.pdf
Word. Retrieved on June 4, 2014 from
http://www.techterms.com/definition/word