Microsoft Word is my lifeline as a writer. It is a program that is built in to your computer. To find it click on your start menu and under programs click on "Microsoft Works," Then you will have eight subtitles to choose from, you want Microsoft works word processor.

When your page opens you will either have a half a page of directions on the right side and a white box on the left. In order to get rid of the directions, click on the (X) in the top right hand corner. Then at the top of your screen click on the large box in the middle to enlarge your white box. Now your ready to write.

Your tool bar, The first tab is your word style (usually it opens in Times New Roman) clicking on the arrow next to it will drop down a small window with other styles you can choose from. The second tab is your font size. Follow the directions for the style to change. The third box is your color, same directions to change. The B(bold) click on it for bold print. The I (Italic) click same as the B and last the U (underline) same process as the B and I for it to work. Follow the same procedure for the next two tabs the first is bullets the second is numbering.

At the top of your tool bar is FILE, this is where you save your document, click on "save as" a little box will open, give your document a name and click save.

Then you have your EDIT tab, this is where your copy and paste, be sure to "select all" first then copy. Once you have reached your desired "paste" place (such as the Helium publish box) now click on paste and your article or document will appear.

The VIEW tab is for header and footnotes for your research/term paper.

Next is the INSERT tab, this is for inserting things in to your text such as pictures, the date or page numbers.

The most important tab is TOOLS, here is where you find your spelling and grammar checker, plus a dictionary and a thesaurus and word count.

Next tab is your TABLE, use this to insert a table.

Last you have HELP, if you have any problems with your Microsoft Word click that tab.

Don't forget you have templates to use as examples, everything from cards, menus, letterhead, checklists and numerous other options.

Microsoft word is pretty self explanatory, it's the easiest program to use on your computer, it make take a few times of using it, to get it down, then it will become as easy as turning your computer on.

Learn more about this author, Tammy L Mahan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Beginner's guide to Microsoft Word?
We want to hear your view. Write now!