Creating A New Document
- Click on File
- Select New: To create a blank document, simply select Blank Document. To create a document based on one of the templates provided in Microsoft Word, select which one you would like to create and select OK
Selecting Text
To change or edit the words (text) it must be highlighted first. Select the text by dragging the mouse over the desired text while keeping the left mouse button depressed, or hold down the SHIFT key on the keyboard while using the arrow buttons to highlight the text. The following table contains shortcuts for selecting a portion of the text:
Selection |
Technique |
| Whole word |
double-click within the word |
| Whole paragraph |
drag the mouse over the words, or hold down SHIFT while using the arrow keys |
| Several words or lines |
drag the mouse over the words, or hold down SHIFT while using the arrow keys |
| Entire document |
choose Edit|Select All from the menu bar, or press CTRL+A |
Deselect the text by clicking anywhere outside of the selection on the page or press an arrow key on the keyboard.
Example of Highlighted Text:
Deleting Text
Use the BACKSPACE and DELETE keys on the keyboard to delete text. Backspace will delete text to the left of the cursor and Delete will erase text to the right. To delete a large selection of text, highlight it using any of the methods outlined above and press the DELETE key.
Formatting Text
The formatting toolbar is the easiest way to change many attributes (properties like size, font, etc) of text. This can also be done by clicking on Format/ Font on the menu bar to access the Font Dialog Box (see below). If the toolbar as shown below isn't displayed on the screen, select View|Toolbars and choose Formatting.
- Style Menu - Styles are explained in detail later in this tutorial.
- Font Face - Click the arrowhead to the right of the font name box to view the list of fonts available. Scroll down to the font you want and select it by clicking on the name once with the mouse. The following graphic demonstrates the difference between serif (Times New Roman on the left) and sans-serif ("no feet", Arial on the right) fonts.
- Font Size - Click on the white part of the font size box to enter a value for the font size or click the arrowhead to the right of the box to view a list of font sizes available. Select a size by clicking on it once. A font size of 10 or 12 is best for paragraphs of text.
- Font Style - Use these buttons to bold, italicize, and underline text.
- Alignment - Text can be aligned to the left, center, or right side of the page or it can be justified across the page.
- Numbered and Bulleted Lists
- Increase/Decrease Indent - Change the indentation of a paragraph in relation to the side of the page.
- ? Highlight Color - Use this option to change the color behind a text selection. The color shown on the button is the last color used. To select a different color, click the arrowhead next to the image on the button.
- Text Color - This option changes the color of the text. The color shown on the button is the last color chosen. Click the arrowhead next to the button image to select another color.
The Font dialog box allows you to choose from a larger selection of formatting options. Select Format|Font from the menu bar to access the box.
