Microsoft Word
Word Introductory Tutorial
This introductory tutorial is about Microsoft Word basics. Navigation
knowledge in a Windows environment is helpful. Nevertheless this tutorial
addresses to the learner that has additional help from a tutor.
To open Microsoft Word, go to the Taskbar and click(*) the Start
button. In the Start menu, point to Programs and then choose Microsoft
Word.
Something quite similar to the following screen will appear.
The Title Bar
The Title bar is located at the very top of the screen. You can close the
software by clicking the
button. The name of the document that is in
“Click” means press the left button of your mouse, “Right-Click” means press the right button of
your mouse.
(*)
current use can be seen on the Title Bar ("Microsoft Word - Document1" or a
name of your choice).
The Menu Bar
The Menu bar is directly below the Title bar and it consists of different menus.
The menus begin with the word File and continue with Edit, View, Insert,
Format, Tools, Table, Window, and Help. Point with your mouse to the
menu option and click the left mouse button to open a drop-down menu. You
can navigate through the menu using your mouse or the arrow keys on your
keyboard. To select an option, highlight the item on the drop-down menu and
press Enter or click it with your mouse.
Exercise
1. Point to the word File on the Menu bar and click with your
mouse.
2. Use your arrow keys until Format is highlighted.
3. Use your arrow keys until Paragraph is highlighted.
4. Press Enter or click to select the Paragraph menu option.
5. Point to Cancel and click to close the dialog box.
Toolbars
The Standard Toolbar
The Formatting Toolbar
Toolbars have shortcut buttons to commonly used menu commands. There
are many types of Toolbars. The most common are the Standard and the
Formatting Toolbar.
The Ruler
1. The ruler is used to view and change the format of your
document.
Document View
With word, you can display your document in one of four views: Normal,
Outline, Page Layout, or Online Layout.
Normal view
Normal view is the most often used and shows such formatting
as line spacing, font, point size, and italics.
Outline view
Outline view displays the document in outline form. Headings
can be displayed without the text. A heading can be moved and
the accompanying text moved with it.
Page Layout view
The Page Layout view shows the document as it will look when
it is printed.
Online (or Web) Layout view
With The Online Layout the document is viewed as it will appear
on the Web.
Exercise
To choose the Normal view:
1. Point to View on the Menu bar and click.
2. Highlight Normal and click.
Choose the same way all the possible views.
Text Area
The text area is the place where you type your document. In the text area you
can find the cursor, a blinking vertical line. The words you type appear on the
left of the cursor.
Exercise
Type the following text using the keyboard: “this is my first text in microsoft
word software.” Now press Enter in order to go to the next line in text and type
the same phrase “This is my first text in Microsoft Word software.” using the
Shift key on your keyboard and the letter you want to appear in capital (i.e.
press and hold Shift while pressing w).
Save Document
In order to recall a document in the future you must save the
document. Click on File menu. Highlight and click the Save As…
command. Specify the correct folder in the Save In box. Type the
name of your document (i.e. firstfile) in the File Name box. Click on
Save.
Exiting Word
To exit Word, click on File, highlight Exit and click. If you have made
any changes after the last time you saved your work you will be
prompted: "Do you want to save changes to firtfile (…the name of your
document)?" To save your changes, click on Yes. Otherwise, click on
No.