How to Choose Word-Processing Software

A word processor is the program you use to type your letters. But newer word processors contain a host of sophisticated features that only professional typesetters and publishers used to have access to, from choice of typefaces (fonts) to precise margin and line spacing, automatic columns and tabs and more. You can even automatically format tables and insert pictures.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Word
• Word Perfect
• Word-processing Software

General Considerations

1. Check reviews in computer magazines and on the Internet to help you narrow your choices.

2. Try the word processor in Microsoft Works to see if it offers enough capabilities. Many computers come with Works installed.

3. Consider that most businesses use Microsoft Word, and a majority of the rest use WordPerfect.

4. Choose the program you use at work if it is commercially available and you want compatibility, or if you want to save the time required to learn a slightly different program.

5. Buy Microsoft Word, or the full Microsoft Office suite, if you want to become proficient in the software your next employer is likely to use.

6. Consider buying an "office" suite instead of a stand-alone word processing program if you would buy at least one other program in the suite.

Specific Features

7. Look for language-handling features such as automatic hyphenation, spell checker, grammar checker and thesaurus.

8. Make sure the program has good file translation capabilities from and to other applications and other platforms.

9. Look for document management features, if you use them, including mail merge and automatic creation of footnotes, table of contents, indexes and charts.

10. Look for file management capabilities such as shortcuts for retrieving recent documents.

11. Look for basic desktop publishing features, if you use them, including type management, the ability to insert and manipulate graphics, photos, tables and charts, and the ability to lay out text in columns.

12. Compare how programs allow you to create macros for automatically executing functions or typing and formatting words and phrases.

13. Compare customizable screen views.

14. Make sure you can fax from the program, if you want that capability.

15. Check the quantity and usability of the templates, if you plan to use them.

Tips & Warnings

• Templates, also called "Wizards" in some programs, are prepared layouts that you customize with your own content. Programs commonly have templates for envelopes, labels, resumes, invoices, bids, purchase orders and business cards.
• You might be able to get the program you use at work free from your employer. Many employers buy multi-machine licenses for programs, and are happy to have employees work at home.
• Basic, unsophisticated programs are easier to use and faster than full-featured, professional programs. They also require less hard disk space and memory.
• Make sure your computer meets the system requirements of any program you download or buy.

[pbslamar]

on 6/9/2009 Greetings,This article was well written and quite valid. Well done. Unfortunately, I was looking for information on how to choose word processing software, not why I should buy Microsoft Word. Perhaps you could include examples of other word processing software? Thank you for your time.