How to Create New Styles in Word 2003

Using styles in Microsoft Word 2003 gives you the ability to customize an overall look for your document. It saves time too, because you do not have to click on every section and change the font type, size or style of the text you typed. Using these methods will help you quickly create new styles in Word 2003.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Word 2003
• Computer

1. Open Microsoft Word 2003. Do this by clicking on its icon.

2. Decide on an overall look for your document. Choose the font you are looking for, size, line spacing, color and indentation.

3. Highlight that text, and click on “Styles and Formats” in the “Format” menu on the standard task bar.

4. Note the “Normal” style is selected in the menu that drops down from the right side of the screen. Click on the paragraph mark on the right edge of the box highlighting “Normal.”

5. Click on “Modify” from the drop down menu that appears. Select the font you decided on in Step 1 from the “Formatting” section of the “Modify Style” menu that appears. You can also change the size, justification and any other style-related item you choose from this menu.

6. Use the “Normal” style from the drop down menu on the “Standard” taskbar on top of the main screen. This will automatically change the text you highlight to the changes you made under the “Normal” style.

7. Follow these same methods and change styles for headings, in-text citations and any other specific style you wish to use in the document.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to update the style, not just the text you select in the document, if you wish to make changes. If you make a change but do not update the style, it will not apply to the rest of the document.
• Try a few different styles before deciding on one for your entire document. You might find something you like better as you are going through each section.
• Save your work each time you stop.
• Print out a sheet with the name of each font in that font before you start. It gives you a quick reference guide when choosing fonts and sizes.