The Basics of The Basics of Microsoft WordMicrosoft WordGetting Started and Getting Started and Formatting your paperFormatting your paper

What is Microsoft What is Microsoft Word?Word? Microsoft Word is a very common Microsoft Word is a very common

word processing system. This word processing system. This program is very useful for typing program is very useful for typing papers and other text-based papers and other text-based documents.documents.

Opening Microsoft Opening Microsoft WordWord Click on the Start Click on the Start

button in the button in the bottom left corner.bottom left corner.

Select “All Select “All Programs”Programs”

Select “Microsoft Select “Microsoft Office”Office”

Microsoft Word Microsoft Word should be one of should be one of your choices.your choices.

Other ways to open Other ways to open WordWord Sometimes there Sometimes there

is a link directly is a link directly on the desktop. on the desktop. You can double You can double click this link.click this link.

Check your Font Size Check your Font Size and Styleand Style Make sure that settings are correct! Make sure that settings are correct!

Most teachers will tell you what they Most teachers will tell you what they prefer.prefer.

Font Size and StyleFont Size and Style

Changing font Changing font appearanceappearance Once you have Once you have

selected your selected your Font, you can Font, you can make more make more changes.changes.

These options These options are often used are often used for titles and for titles and citations citations

Examples of Bold, Examples of Bold, Italic and Underlined Italic and Underlined texttext

How to Double-spaceHow to Double-space Click the “Format” Click the “Format”

button at the top of button at the top of the screen. the screen.

Select the Select the “Paragraph” option.“Paragraph” option.

Double spacing is Double spacing is one of the “Line one of the “Line Spacing:” options.Spacing:” options.

Example of a double-Example of a double-spaced paperspaced paper

Checking your MarginsChecking your Margins Most teachers will Most teachers will

prefer one inch prefer one inch margins around the margins around the edge of your paper.edge of your paper.

Click “File” then Click “File” then select “Page Setup”select “Page Setup”

Make sure all four Make sure all four sides are set to 1”sides are set to 1”

How to align your textHow to align your text

Your Teacher will let you know what information they want in your header

How to align your textHow to align your text

How to align your textHow to align your text

Align Left button

Header and FooterHeader and Footer You can use a Header and Footer You can use a Header and Footer

to add information that needs to to add information that needs to be on each page of your be on each page of your document. document. – Examples: Page Numbers, your Examples: Page Numbers, your

name, date, etc.name, date, etc.

Basic Features of Basic Features of Headers and FootersHeaders and Footers

Basic Features of Basic Features of Headers and FootersHeaders and Footers

Including Lists and Including Lists and NumbersNumbers Microsoft will help you create and Microsoft will help you create and

organize lists.organize lists. Bullets are good for lists that do not Bullets are good for lists that do not

need to be numbered.need to be numbered.

Including Lists and Including Lists and NumbersNumbers Bullets are good Bullets are good

for lists that don’t for lists that don’t have a specific have a specific order. order. – Example: groceriesExample: groceries

Numbers are good Numbers are good for lists that go in for lists that go in a specific order.a specific order.– Example: Example:

instructions on how instructions on how to change oil.to change oil.

Using Spell CheckUsing Spell CheckIn the “Tools” menu, select “Spelling and Grammar”

SummarySummary Ask your teacher or the librarian if Ask your teacher or the librarian if

you have any questions about you have any questions about Microsoft Word.Microsoft Word.

Visit Microsoft’s official site if you Visit Microsoft’s official site if you have more questions:have more questions:– Microsoft Word Help and How-toMicrosoft Word Help and How-to