Learn how to use the Microsoft word document

Microsoft Word is the most universal word-processing program in the market. It’s congenital even for the most technologically illiterate computer users, it is backed by the powerful Microsoft Office suite. Word has evolved over the years with online subscriptions that offer access on multiple devices, along with a free, cloud-based version of itself. 

Despite the competition, Microsoft’s software is still the go-to tool for producing important docs. And with a good reason, it is dependable, customizable, as well as have lots of built-in functionality that you might not have even tried yet. 

What is Microsoft Word? 

Everyone knows what Microsoft Word is unless you were living under a rock, even if you don’t, we are here to tell you what it is. Microsoft Word is a word processing software. Microsoft Word was first released on October 25, 1983, this went under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. 

Microsoft Word is a word-processing program; this is designed to help the users create professional-quality documents. Word has the finest document-formatting tools, with these Word helps you organize as well as write your documents more efficiently. 

Commercial versions of Word are licensed as a standalone product. Or, they are a component of the Microsoft Office suite of software, that can be purchased with a perpetual license. It can also be purchased as a part of a Microsoft 365 subscription. 

Is Microsoft word free? 

Microsoft Word has never been free except as part of a limited-time trial of Office. When the free trial expires, you will not be able to continue to use Word without buying either Office or a freestanding copy of Word. Say, you are not prepared to shell out for a subscription to Microsoft’s Office 365, which currently costs around £80/$100 a year for up to six people, don’t worry there’s a workaround. 

Microsoft provides a feature called Office Online, in order to access it all you need to do is sign up for a free Microsoft account. You will then be able to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote as well as Outlook at no cost. It is true that these programs will not have the full list of features that you get with their paid counterparts, however, if you are only a basic user then it wouldn’t matter much. 

Using Office Online has a few benefits – it retains all the Microsoft Word formatting. It also makes your documents accessible anywhere thanks to the 5GB of OneDrive cloud storage provided with each account. 

How to download Microsoft Word? 

Before the process of download is initiated, you have to make sure your PC or Mac meets the system requirements. 

• Visit www.office.com and if you have not already signed in, click on Sign in. 
• Sign in with the account you associated with the version of the Office. The account being used can be a Microsoft account, or a work/school account.  
• After you successfully signed in, follow the given steps depending on the type of account you signed in with. 

If you signed in using a regular Microsoft account 

• From the Office home page. Click on Install Office. 
• Click Install (or depending on your version, choose Office>). 

If you signed in using a work or a school account 

• From the home page click on Install Office (If you set a different start page, visit aka. ms/office-install.) 
• Click on Office 365 apps to begin the installation process. 

The 64-bit version will be installed by default, that is unless Office detects you have a 32-bit version of Office (or if it detects a stand-alone Office app such as Project or Visio) installed. If it does, then the 32-bit version of Office will be installed instead. 

If you wish to change from a 32-bit version to a 64-bit version or vice versa, you will have to uninstall Office first (that is, including any stand-alone Office apps you have, for example, Project or Visio). After the uninstall is complete, sign in again to www.office.com, then click on Other install options. Select the language as well as the version you want (64 or 32-bit), then click on Install. 

This will complete the download of Office to the device. 

How to download Microsoft Word on Mac? 

The process of downloading Word is the same for Mac as it is for Windows given above.

How to use Microsoft Word? 

Below are some of the basic functions of Microsoft Word and how to use them. 

Alignment – The alignment option dictates whether the left and right edges of the text in a document adhere to the right side, left, or center. Alignment can be set from the formatting toolbar; this can be found at the top of the window. Or, this can be done by choosing “Paragraph” under the Format menu. 

Bullets/Numbering – When you create a list of text items, you can choose from several bullets or numbering systems to add a small graphic icon or series of numbers before each entry in the list. If you wish to add bullets or numbering to a series of text, click on the corresponding buttons in the formatting toolbar. Or, you can choose “Bullets and Numbering” from the Format menu. 

Clipboard – The clipboard acts as a type of storage area when a piece of text is temporarily removed and stored for later use (has to be used within the same session). When you use the Cut or Copy commands, they will place the text in the clipboard. You can click on “Clipboard” under the Edit menu to view any text that may be temporarily stored in it.

Copy – Copying text means making a replica of any text that is currently selected, it is saved to the clipboard. When you press the Control and C keys together in Windows or Command and C on a Mac, it will copy the text. Alternatively, users can select the text, then click the “Copy” option under the Edit menu or the main toolbar. 

Cut – Cutting text means removing the text entirely from the viewable document, this function stores it in the clipboard. The Control + X keys or Command + X keys can be used for the Cut function on Windows and Mac, respectively. The Cut function can also be used from under the Edit menu or the toolbar.

Document – Each document in Microsoft Word is a new file. A document can consist of several pages. A new document can be created by using the keyboard shortcut Control + N or Command + N, or by choosing the “New Blank Document” option from the File menu. Or, the standard toolbar. 

Edit – The edit menu or toolbar in Microsoft Word allows you to perform basic editing functions in your documents, for example, copying, cutting as well as pasting. This also contains options for the Undo along with Find/Replace functions. 

Font – A font is a type of design for text, font typically incorporates this design into each letter, number as well as symbol found on a keyboard. Fonts range from formal to whimsical, Microsoft Word comes with a series of provided fonts along with additional ones that can be downloaded if required. If you wish to change the font used in a document, you need to select the text. Then either click on the main Font menu, the Font drop-down menu in the formatting toolbar or you can just hit the Control + D or Command + D keys. 

Footer – The footer is the text that consistently appears at the bottom of every page of a document. Footers generally include details like the page number, a company’s name, or contact details in formal documents. You can add or edit a footer by clicking “Header and Footer” under the View menu. 

Format – The Format menu (or the Format toolbar) goes a step further than the Edit menu. You have the ability to make stylistic changes by changing the look of the text itself, paragraphs, and lists among much more.

Header – The header is similar to a footer; the only difference is that it sits at the very top of every page in a document. Headers usually contain page numbers and the document name. Or, they also contain sub-titles within a document. The header can be edited by selecting “Header and Footer” within the View menu. 

Open – The Open command is used to open an existing document in Microsoft Word. Using the Command or Control + O keys, or clicking “Open…” from the File menu will provide a pop-up window for you to select the document you wish to open. 

Paste – The paste command takes any previously copied or cut text, it then lays it down within the document where your cursor is pointing. Using the Control or Command + V, or “Paste” from the Edit menu or standard toolbar, you will be able to run the paste function. 

Print – The print command opens a window where you can specify the parameters of the paper, printer as well as the ink you wish to print with. Then it provides a preview of what the physical print will look like. Using the Control or Command + P keys, or clicking on “Print” in the File menu or standard toolbar will let you access the print window.

Quick access toolbar – The quick access toolbar is a small as well as moveable toolbar generally found at the top of the document window. This usually contains buttons to save, undo, redo as well as print. This toolbar is customizable, you can include or remove other commands. 

Save – The save command is one of the most important as well as most used ones. This saves all of the work done to date within a document. The save command enables the users to return to the same document later to continue writing, editing, or even printing. Using the Control or Command + S keys, or clicking “Save” under the File menu or standard toolbar will save the document. The “Save As” option is slightly different; this command allows the users to save the document as a different version by entering a different file name. 

Text – Text is any of the words as well as paragraphs that a user types within the document. 

Standard toolbar – The standard toolbar is the row of icons; this is situated at the top of the document. Each of the buttons is used for basic functions, for example, saving, opening, or printing documents, amongst other commands. 

Undo – The undo feature keeps track of each command that you issue while working on the document. When you use the undo command, it allows you to go back one step to restore the document as it was before the latest editing command. Redo is related to the Undo command; the redo command lets the user redo the same formatting command again. Using the Control or Command + Z keys, or “Undo” under the Edit menu is used to undo a command. Using the Control or Command + Y keys, or “Redo” under Edit is to redo a command.

Microsoft Word FAQ

How to delete a page in Microsoft Word? 

• Click or tap anywhere on the page you wish to delete, then, press Ctrl + G for Windows, or Option+⌘+G for Mac. 
• An Enter page number box appears, type \page. 
• Press the Enter key on the keyboard, then click on Close. 
• Verify that the page of content is selected, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. 

How to change Microsoft Word from black to white? 

If you wish the document to be white, click on the View tab in the ribbon at the top of the page. Then click on Switch Modes. This will toggle the document color from black to white. You can always switch back to black by merely clicking Switch Modes a second time. 

Where is the word count on Microsoft Word? 

When you type in a document, Microsoft Word automatically counts the number of pages as well as words in the document. It displays them on the status bar at the bottom left of the workspace. If you do not see the word count in the status bar, you can right-click the status bar, then click on Word Count. 

How to Print in Microsoft Word?

There are 3 different ways to do it. 

1. You can use quick print located on the top most blue bar that has the printer icon
2. Or Go to File in the toolbar and select the print 
3. Or Click Ctrl + P.

How to sign in to Microsoft Word? 

You have the ability to Sign in to Microsoft Word, however, the process is an elaborate one, so visit this article for know-how. 

How to add fonts to Microsoft Word? 

• After you have downloaded the font you wish to install, you will have to install it in the operating system.
• You need to find the font file that you downloaded, keep in mind that it may be contained within a .zip file. The downloaded file is probably located in your downloads folder. 
• You need to double-click the font file to open it in the Font Previewer 
• If you are satisfied with the font, you can click on Install at the top left.  
• Then close the Font Previewer, and open the Office program. You will now be able to see the new font included on the font list. 

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