4.1 Basics

Word processing is nothing but arranging you text in a particular format defined by you. You can make use of several other utilities provided in your word processing package like spell –check, adding graphics, table and charts insertion, using specific effect to highlight some specific areas of your file.

MS-Word is a widely used and user-friendly word processing package. We will learn to use it.

Before stating with anything lets know the basics of word.

There are too many ways to start the word. You can use the windows start menu, the office Shortcut bar, document icons or your windows start Menu might have a new Office Document choice. Use any of the methods to start MS-Word.

As soon as you load MS-word you get a screen like this: -

An active word window has Standard windows scroll bars, a Title Bat, Zoom Boxes, a Menu Bar, Ruler and so on. (You may not be familiar with these terms at the moment, but we will discuss each of them in details)

4.1.1. An Introduction to Word Processing

4.1.2 Creating documents

Follow the steps listed below to create a new document: -

1. Click on new icon on standard Tool Bar.  A new document window opens up.

2. Alternatively you can choose New option from File menu. This option will lead you to a wizard form where you can select a document of your choice from various options e.g. fax, invoice, resume etc.

3. Or you can press Ctr + N to open up a new document.

4. Type some text in the document window.

5. If you wish you can try some effects from Formatting Toolbar.

4.1.3 Saving Documents

Once you are through with typing you need to save the document for future use. Word must be displaying Document1 in the left-topmost corner of the window. This is because you have not saved the document yet. So let’s save it now.

1. Click on Save button on the Standard menu option or choose Save option from File menu.

2. As you are saving your document for the first time Save As Dialog box appears. .

3. Type the name and you’ll see word saves the document with ‘.DOC’ extension. This is the default extension for the word documents.

Note: - 1. Ctr+S is a shortcut way to save.

            2. Word saves the document automatically after a definite interval of time.

4.1.4 Quitting Documents

You can close an individual file as well as completely quit Word in several ways.

To close a document – Choose Close option from file menu. This will close the file but word will remain running. Alternatively you can use Ctr + w shortcut as well.

To quit from word – either choose exit option form the file menu or Click on close button of the word window. This will close the document as well as Word. You can use Alt+F4 to close the Word as well.

Note: In case you have not saved the file recently Word will prompt and ask you whether you like to save the changes?