Lesson 3: Using a Word Processing Package
Lesson 3: Using a Word Processing Package
Introduction:
Creating documents with word processors requires your computer to be installed with a word processor application software. There are numerous word processors available either for free or on purchase. However all these software come while packed in either CD's or DVDs such as the one shown below:
There are various applications in each CD which can only be used after being installed in the computer.
Starting Microsoft Office 2010
There are two ways to start Microsoft Word with Windows07
A. Using the Search tool
- On the task bar, Click on the start button.
- On the search text box at the start menu type this command "winword.exe"
- Click on the search result available to start Microsoft Word 2010
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B. Using Programs Menu
On the task bar, Click on the start button.
- Point to all programs option to open - all programs menu
- Point and click on Microsoft Office folder
- Choose Microsoft Word 2010
Screen Layout
click on the picture to enlarge
EXPLANATIONS
1. Quick launch toolbar
This is a combination of frequently used tools. The toolbar can be customized by the user to include what he/she uses frequently
2. Title bar
The title bar shows the name of the document and the application software in use.
3. Window Controls
This is a combination of command buttons namely:-
a) minimize button
The minimize button is used to minimize the application window into the task bar
b) Restore button
The restore button is used to maximize the application window to fit the screen layout and also minimize to a certain percentage level initially customized by the user
c) Close button
The close button is used to exit from the application window
4. Hide/display ribbon
This tool is used to hide/display controls on the ribbon
5. Help
This is a documentation that offers help and support for the user. i.e. how to navigate from one procedure to another
6. Ribbon Tabs
These tabs consist of various tools that can be used by the user to prepare his/her document e.g. editing, formatting etc.
7. Ribbon
This is a long stretch of controls that correspond to the type of ribbon tab selected
8. Ruler
There two types of rulers. namely:-
- horizontal ruler and
- vertical ruler
rulers are tools used to indent word documents
( indenting is the process of pushing text away from the page margin)
9. View/hide ruler
this is a control used to hide/display the ruler
10. Tab Selector
tabs are a paragraph formatting features used to align text.
Tab selector is used to choose different types of tab stops
11. Scroll bar
there are two types of scroll bars, namely:-
- Horizontal and
- vertical scroll bars
Scroll bars are used to move text into view on a large document just as the scroll wheel on the mouse or arrow keys on the keyboard
12. Text Area
This is a large white area where the user enters text and graphics to be manipulated
13. Insertion Point
This is a point where the next characters typed from the keyboard will appear on the display screen. The insertion point is usually represented by a blinking vertical line (I-beam pointer)
14. A cursor (a caret)
This is an indicator used to show the position on a computer monitor that will respond to input from a text input or pointing device
15. I-Beam Pointer (I-Cursor)
This is a mouse cursor shaped similar to the capital letter "I" that indicates text can be highlighted, inserted or changed
16. Status Bar
The status bar acts as a communication link (interaction) between the program user and the program itself. It displays the number of pages, words etc.
17. Zoom Controls
The zoom control is a tool used to enlarge or reduce the size of a document in relation to the application window
Creating a document
Creating a new document simply means making a news Word document to start using and there are two major ways of doing this.
- Creating a new blank document
- Creating a new document from a template
1. Creating a new blank document
2. Creating a new document from a template
A template is a pre-designed document you can use to create documents quickly without having to think about formatting.
Saving a Word Document
Saving is the process of writing data to a storage medium such as a flash disk or hard drive.
Save a document for the first time
- On the Quick Access Toolbar, click Save , or press CTRL+S.
- Type a name for the document, and then click Save.
- Word saves the document in a default location. To save the document in a different location, select another folder in the list of folders if your computer is running Windows 7, or in Favorite Links if your computer is running Windows Vista, or in the Save in list if your computer is running Microsoft Windows XP. If you want to change the default location where Word saves documents, adjust the settings for saving documents.
Save an existing document as a new document (Save As)
To prevent overwriting the original document, use the Save As command to create a new file as soon as you open the original document.
- Open the document that you want to save as a new file.
- Click the File tab.
- Click Save As.
- Type a name for the document, and then click Save.
Retrieving a document
To retrieve means to get a saved file from storage media. To retrieve:
- Click on the file tab
- Select open command from the drop down list
- Locate the saved file from the dialog box displayed then click open
Closing a Document
Closing a word document means to exit the document from the application window. To close, proceed as follows:
- Click on file tab
- Then select close command on the drop down list displayed
Exiting A word Document
Exiting a document should not be confused with closing a Word document. To exit,
- Click on the close button on the title bar
- or on the file tab, click exit.
Help and Support