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Online Orientation–Module Four

*** If this module take you more than two hours, sign up for a one hour on campus session ***

MODULE 4: WORD PROCESSING USING MS WORD

You should be using Microsoft Word to type papers and assignments for your courses. Some instructors will require you to use Microsoft Word and this is the software used by Lakeshore Technical College faculty. Using it yourself will ensure that the format in which you turn in your work is compatible with that of your instructors. Failure to use MS Word may cause problems for your instructors in opening, viewing, and correcting your work, which will have an adverse affect on your grade.

The following information is provided as an introduction to MS Word. There is an assumption that you have Word on your computer, that you know how to open it, and that you know how to begin a new document. There are notes you can review and print off. If you need more thorough instruction on using Word, you should consider enrolling in a course at your local adult education center or technical college.

Basic Features of Microsoft Word

The Menu Bar

Microsoft Word menu bar

The options on the menu bar allow you to perform a variety of tasks. The table below gives a brief summary of these features.

Item Features/Functions
File
  • open/close file
  • save/save as
  • adjust page setup
  • print preview
  • print
Edit
  • undo
  • copy/paste
  • select all
  • find/replace certain words in document
  • go to a particular page
View
  • change document view
  • select toolbars to display
  • set headers/footers
Insert
  • add page breaks
  • add page numbers
  • add clip art/graphics
  • add MS Word Art or autoshapes
  • add text box
  • add hyperlink
Format
  • change font type, size, and color
  • change paragraph line spacing, indentation, margins
  • add bullets and numbering
  • add columns
  • set tabs
Tools spelling and grammar checker, track changes, mail merge, create envelopes and labels
Table insert and edit table, add and delete rows and columns (within a table)
Window shows a listing of open documents–you can move between documents by selecting them from the list
Help searchable help index

Formatting text

After typing your text, select the specific words, sentences, etc. that you want to format.
You can format your text using the Formatting toolbar.

Microsoft Word formatting

Saving your document

Choose File, Save As from the main toolbar.
Documents can be saved in a variety of formats. Most instructors prefer that you save and submit your documents in Rich Text Format (.rtf). Since .rtf is not the default file type for Microsoft Word, you will need to change it as you save your document.

Microsoft Word save as icon

*** If you are getting frustrated please contact Heather for a 1 hour
session on campus for help. *** or call 1.888.GO TO LTC,
Ext. 1278.

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