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Computer Application Software Guide / Comp 2000: Interface of Microsoft Word

Step by Step Guide on how to use different computer application software such as PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Onedrive, and Outlook

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interface for word

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Interface of Microsoft Word

Interface of Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word

When opening Microsoft Word for the first time the Start Screen will appear. Microsoft Word will give you several options when starting a presentation. You can open an existing document, choose a document template, or start from scratch by choosing blank document.

Once your document is open you will find all the tools needed to create a professional document.

Microsoft Word Interface

The Quick Access toolbar provides access to common commands such as undo, redo, save, and start from the beginning. This access bar can be costumized to fit your personnel needs by clicking on the customizing Quick Access bar button at the end of the toolbar.

Title Bar - This displays the name of the current open document, when opening a new file is always displays Document1 (or 2, 3, 4 etc.) until you save and name the file.

Ruler - There are horizontal and vertical rulers that display when you are in Print Layout View. The horizontal ruler shows the placement of margins, indents, and tabs. You can also show and hide these rulers by using the View Ruler button.
Text Area - This is where your text, images, etc will be displayed.
Scroll Bars - Use these with your mouse to move up, down, right or left within the document.
Status Bar - This displays the page number, page count, document view buttons, and zoom control. It will also display current mode of operation and can be customized to include other functions.
View Buttons - This is used to switch between views such as Print Layout, Full Screen Reading, Web Layout, Outline, and Draft View
Screen Tips - Appear when you point to a command on the Ribbon, it includes the name of the command along with a description of what that command does.

The Ribbon is a user interface element which was introduced by Microsoft. It is located below the Quick Access Toolbar and the Title Bar. It comprises nine tabs; Home, Insert, Design tab, Page layout, References, Mailing, Review and View. Each tab has specific groups of related commands.

The Home tab is the default tab in Microsoft Word. It has five groups of related commands; Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, Styles, and Editing. It helps you change document settings like font size, adding bullets, adjusting styles and many other common features. It also helps you to return to the home section of the document.

File Tab: The File tab will bring you into the Backstage View of the document. It is the first tab on the ribbon and gives you access to file functions. It allows you to access the OpenSaveCloseProperties, and Recent file options . This is also where you can save, share, and print your document.

Insert tab: it is used to insert or add features in your document. It is used to add charts, tables, pictures, clip art, shapes, page number, etc. The Insert tab has seven groups of related commands; Pages, Tables, Illustrations, Links, Header & Footer, Text, and Symbols.

Design Tab: Used to Format your document. It contains the following commands: 

  • Themes: Changes the theme of the document
  • Style Set - Change the look of your document by choosing a new style set. Style sets change the font and paragraph properties of your entire document.
  • Colors - Displays a list of all the available colors and lets you change the color component of the active theme.
  • Fonts - Displays a list of all the available fonts and lets you change the font component of the active theme.
  • Paragraph Spacing: Quickly change the line and paragraph spacing in your document. 
  • Effects - Displays a list of all the available effects and lets you change the effect component of the active theme. 
  • Set As Default - Use the current look for all new documents.

Page layout tab: This tab allows you to control the look and feel of your document. You can change the page size, orientation, margins, line spacing, indentation, etc. The Page Layout tab has three groups of related commands; Page Setup, Paragraph, and Arrange.

References tab: It allows you to enter document sources, footnotes, citations, bibliography commands, etc. It also offers commands to create a table of contents, an index, and table of authorities. The References tab has seven groups of related commands; Table of Contents, Footnotes, Research, Citations & Bibliography, Captions, Index, and Table of Authorities.

Mailings tab: It is the least-often used tab within the Ribbon. It allows you merge emails, writing and inserting different fields, preview results and convert a file into a PDF format. The Mailings tab has five groups of related commands; Create, Start Mail Merge, Write & Insert Fields, Preview Results, and Finish.

Review Tab: This tab offers you some important commands to modify your document. It helps you proofread your content, to add or remove comments, track changes, etc. The Review tab has ten groups of related commands; Proofing, speech, accessibility, language, comments, tracking, changes, compare, protect, and Ink

View tab: This tab allows you to switch between Single Page and Two Page views. It also enables you to control various layout tools like boundaries, guides, rulers. Its primary purpose is to offers you different ways to view your document. The View tab has eight groups of related commands;Views, Immersive, page Movement, Show, Zoom, Window, Macros, SharePoint

Help Tab: Get assistance online through microsoft on using Microsoft Word