How to Use Microsoft Word 2007

Microsoft Word is the runaway leader in word processing software used by both businesses and individuals. Unlike some other software updates, the release of Word 2007 was met with mostly critical acclaim. Microsoft has added some useful and convenient features that make it worthwhile to learn how to use.

Instructions

1. Take note that when you click "Save," Word 2007 saves its files with a default extension of "docx," as opposed to the "doc" extension that was used in past versions of Word. To save the file as a Word 97-2003 document, and have users of older versions be able to open and edit it, you need to click on the "Save As" option. Word 2007 users can open and edit files from any of the previous versions.

2. Notice that the menu of commands at the top of the window has been replaced with tabs, called "Ribbons" by Word, that are designed to be task oriented. Click on these ribbons to get to common subtasks. Use the command buttons in each group to carry out a command or display a menu of commands.

3. See what formatting changes will look like before putting them into effect. For example, select some text by grabbing it with your mouse. Select the "Home" tab, and click on the box next to the font titles to get a drop-down list of font choices. Then when you simply move your mouse over a particular font choice, all the selected text will switch to that font so you can preview its look. Move your mouse to the next font, and the text will quickly change again.

4. Click on the "Insert" tab, and then select from the available charts, graphs, and "smart art" with 3-D effects, drop shadows and other special features.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that by default Microsoft Word 2007 saves documents as files with the "docx" extension. If you wish to open such a file with an older version of Word, you must specifically choose to save the file with a "doc" extension.

References

• Save a document in Word
• What's new in Microsoft Office Word 2007

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Microsoft Word Help and How-to