Before we start using Microsoft Word there is need to know what it does and how it works. Microsoft Word can simply be defined as application software that is use for text preparation, editing, formatting, storing, retrieving and printing of documents.
Editing: This is a way of making correction in your documents that is checking spelling and grammar.
Formatting: This is a way of Colouring, underlining and centralizing your text. Formatting can also be referred to as changing the general appearance of your text.
Storing: Storing means saving your documents for future use.
Retrieving: This is the way of opening your documents any number of times you feel like, but note that you can only retrieve what you store.
Printing: Finally, you can print out your documents after you must have carefully formatted and edited it. Note that the main reason why you print out your documents is to have a paper or hard copy of it. We referred to your documents as soft copy when it is on the screen, but once it is printed out, it is known as hard copy. It is used for preparing memos, reports, curriculum vitae (CV) and any other text/simple graphics documents.
In Microsoft Word any completed documents can be transferred to the printer any number of time and/or recorded on disks for future use. Microsoft Word belongs to a group called Word Processing which means typesetting of documents. So from now on, we shall be discussing about the Software Word processor. Apart from Microsoft Word there are other examples of Word processor, which are:
- Word Star
- Word Perfect
- Word Write
- Word pad
- Lotus Word-Pro
- PageMaker etc
- MultiMate
FUNCTION OF WORD PROCESSORS
- Document Creation
- Editing of documents
- Storing of documents for future use
- Printing of documents using an output device (Printer)
- Checking of spelling and grammar
- Formatting of documents
FEATURES OF WORD PROCESSOR
Word/Text Wrap: This
is automatic movement of the cursor from one line to another
Spell/Grammar Check: This is used to check
spelling and grammar
Thesaurus: This
is Computer Dictionary
Drop Cap: This is the enlargement of the first
letter in a sentence or paragraph
Alignment: It is the movement of text from one
direction to the other (i.e Left, Right, Centre & Justify)
Page Setup: This is a way of setting Margins, Paper Size and Paper Orientation. Paper Orientation is the changing of paper from horizontal position, which is LANDSCAPE to a vertical position called PORTRAIT, and vice versa.
Covert Case: This is a way of changing text from
Capital letter to small letter