How to Create a Menu With Open Office

OpenOffice is a suite of products with capabilities similar to Microsoft Office. OpenOffice has powerful tools that let you create everything from a simple flyer to complex newsletters. OpenOffice is ideal for creating custom menus, whether for a restaurant or some other type of business. Creating a menu by hand or using one of the Openoffice templates is easy to do, and the results can be satisfying. No matter what your menu needs, Openoffice allows you to create a custom professional menu to suit those needs.

Things You'll Need

• OpenOffice Write

Instructions

1. Open the word processor in your OpenOffice suite. The program is called "Writer."

2. Start with the default paper size and set your page orientation by going to the "Format" menu, selecting the "Page" option, then clicking the "Page" tab and choosing landscape or portrait.

3. Create a border for your menu. The border can feature graphics, or be a straight line border with varying thickness and color. If you have a logo, go to the "Insert" menu, select the "Picture" option, and insert your logo at the top of the menu. Consider the size and position of your logo before you insert a border (you don't want a border that will overwhelm your menu's logo).

4. Type the text for your menu in a readable font style. Size 14 is an ideal size. There are numerous font styles available. Choose one that matches your restaurant's image, whether it's a menu for a fancy restaurant or a laid-back country-style restaurant. Keep with a menu style that is true to your restaurant's image.

5. Strive to line your items up with their prices, using periods with a space between them to separate the menu item from the price. You can use left or full justify for the menu, but fully justifying gives your menu a neater overall appearance. Consider including a blank space between each item to make the menu easier to read for your customers.

6. Save your menu as a template from the "File" menu. Having a template for your menu makes it easy for you to make changes if the need arises (such as changes in pricing of the items on your menu).

References

• Must Have Menus: Menu Design Basics

Resources

• Must Have Menus: Menu templates for Openoffice