Microsoft Word

Microsoft word is a word processor that allows the computer to function as a type writer by making it possible to manipulate texts.

With Microsoft Word, you can produce a soft copy of a document which you can then print into hard copy at will, distribute as a .doc document, convert it to PDF, or publish it to an eBook. 

Getting Started With Microsoft Word

The first step in learning Microsoft Word like any other computer program is familiarizing yourself with its "User Interface and Tools". You will then need to most importantly, know, practice and use of its tools.

What You can Do with Microsoft Word

With a good know-how of this Word processor program, you can do the following effectively on your own.

• Typeset your manuscript or document.
• Properly edit your manuscript.
• Proof read your manuscript.
• Format your manuscript as an eBook or print book.
• Typeset different form of files like letter, invoice, receipt, cover letter, curriculum vitae, business proposal, etc.
• Insert image in your document.
• Insert table in your document.
• Export the file into other formats like PDF or HTML.
• Prepare the proper reference style for your school project, seminar work, or book.

These are some of the things you can do with your knowledge of Microsoft Word.

MICROSOFT WORD USER INTERFACE 

The user interface/environment of Microsoft Word is presented below in detail.

Work Space (Text Area)

The work space framed between the rulers and the scroll bars is a large area looking like a blank sheet of paper. This is the text area where you type the text of the document. You will see a blinking
vertical line in the top left corner. This is the Cursor. The typed characters appear at the location of the cursor. As a character appears at its location, the cursor moves to its immediate right.

Title Bar

This shows the name of the active document. When a new document is started, Word gives it a generic name as
‘Document 6’ and this is displayed on the title bar. When you save the document with a name,
that generic name on the title bar is replaced by the one you named the document.

Quick Access Toolbar

This contains some of the most frequently used commands such as Save, Undo, Redo. You can add more
commands to the Quick Access Toolbar as per your need by customizing it. This toolbar helps you to perform Word tasks speedily by providing one-click
access to most oftten used commands.

Window Controls

This contsins a set of three buttons in the top right corner of the program window.
The button on the right displaying an x, which functions as the Close button . On clicking, this button closes the current document but not the Word programme.
The left button is the Minimize button which minimizes the program window to the taskbar.
The middle button, sporting a rectangle, is the Maximize button, which, on clicking, maximizes the Word. Another click on it then restores the program window to its previous size.

Ribbon

Think of the Ribbon as a collection of
seven horizontal tabbed toolbars arranged on top of each other. These toolbars are accessed through their tabs. The toolbars have command
buttons, menus and input boxes arranged in groups. Some groups have dialog launchers (downward pointing arrow) which, when clicked, displays a dialog box related to that group.
Note that at any given time, only one tabbed toolbar is visible. When Word is launched, the Home tab is current and the toolbar attached to it is at the top, enabling you to invoke its commands by clicking them. When any other tab is clicked, its toolbar comes to the top and you can use the commands stored on it.

Office Button

When you click the 'Office' button, it reveals a drop-down menu showing commands for file operations. These commands are listed below:

• New 
• Open 
• Save 
• Save As 
• Print 
• Send 
• Publish 
• Close
• Word Options 
• Exit Word

Help Button

This is located below the Window Controls in the top right corner of Word window, and when clicked it brings up the Word Help window. In this window you can search for any topic and get clarification on it.

Rulers

The horizontal ruler here is used to set tabs and indent text. You use the vertical ruler to set vertical location of text in the document. If the rulers are not visible, click the View Ruler button immediately below the Ribbon on the
extreme right to make it visible.
The rulers show measurements in inches or centimetres, depending on the units of measure specified in Word Options.

Status Bar

This displays document information such as the current page number and total number of pages, word count, language, proofing error notification, and some other information. You can customize the information display by right clicking the status bar and and making selections out of the context menu that pops up.

View Buttons

The buttons here allow you to use five important document views options as described below:

Print Layout View : This view shows the document as it will look when it is printed. Always use it to preview your document before sending it for print.

Full Screen Reading View : This view shows the document on full screen to make reading your document more comfortable for proofing.

Web Layout View : This enables you to see your document as it would appear in a browser such as Chrome, Firefox or
Internet Explorer.

Outline View: This displays the document in outline form in which headings could be displayed without the text. When you move a heading, the accompanying text will move with it.

Draft View : This is most frequently used view option for editing a document.

Zoom Tools

This zoom slider lets you zoom out or zoom in the current document. The zoom range is from 10% to 500%. The current zoom level is displayed on the taskbar immediately left of the slider. Clicking the zoom level opens the Zoom dialog where you can specify the desired zoom level.

Vertical and Horizontal Scroll Bars

The vertical scroll bar is located at the extreme right of the Word window while the horizontal scroll bar is at the bottom of the window just above the status bar. Vertical scroll bar is always visible while the horizontal scroll bar appears only when the document width
exceeds the screen width.
The scroll bars let you scroll the document up and down vertically or left-right horizontally. To scroll, you need to click and drag the scroll box showing three vertical/horizontal lines.

You may like to check out my Microsoft Word book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple or any other of your favorite eBook store.

Amazon US

Amazon UK

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3. How To Use Microsoft Word to Format Your Manuscript as an eBook
4. eBook Cover Design Tips
5. Tips on eBook Formatting and Preparation for Publishing

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