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Word Processors

Software

For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.

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What does it do?

Word processing is the software most people use for text-based documents because it can turn this:

It’s still the same words, but now it looks so much better.

into this:

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What are its basic features?

A word-processed document can be formatted (choosing the way the document looks) by:

changing the font size, style and colour of the words and numbers we type in

laying text out in tables or columns

making lists like this one using bullets or numbers

adding pictures and borders

adding headings that automatically appear on every page (headers)

adding page numbers and footnotes.

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Can I have a go?

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Another benefit of using word processing software is that documents can be edited.

The software comes with a dictionary which will spell-check the document. Words can usually be added to the dictionary.

A grammar check can be done which will look at the way each sentence is written. Suggestions are made if the grammar does not comply to the set of rules programmed into the software.

The thesaurus is a very useful feature which offers alternative words for those times when you can’t quite think of the right word.

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Use templates for tasks we do regularly.

What else can it do?

Set up styles so that the formatting of the different parts of the document like the headings, subheadings and main text are saved to ensure efficiency and consistency.

Make a table of contents or an index.

Use auto text so that phrases you use a lot appear when you click a button.

Link to a database to mail merge documents.

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Word processors are used for producing just about any kind of document:

What would it be used for?

letters and memos

invoices

books

technical manuals.

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Who would use what?

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Summary

Word processing software is most commonly used for text-based documents.

Documents can be formatted and edited.

A number of features, including setting styles and templates, ensure consistency within documents.

Other features, such as mail merge and producing a table of contents or an index, can save users a lot of time and improve the presentation of documents.