Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word has been around since 1983. Over the years, users have trusted it to create
and design documents fast and conveniently. Microsoft Word was developed by Charles
Simonyi and Richard Brodie who are both former programmers of Xerox. They were hired
by Bill Gates and Paul Allen to create Microsoft’s own word processing software called
Multi-Tool Word which was later renamed Microsoft Word.

What Is Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word is a user-friendly word processing tool released by Microsoft back on

October 25, 1983. It features excellent document creation and editing tools that enable
users to fully customize their documents and set specific formats. Microsoft Word is part of
the Microsoft Office package along with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft
Teams, and more.

Microsoft Word Definition

Microsoft Word is a Microsoft computer software or application designed for document

creation that allows users to easily prepare contracts, letters, agreements, and other types
of documents.
Features of Microsoft Word

Create Text Documents

Microsoft Word is first and foremost a software product for creating text documents. Once
you open a new blank MS Word doc, the first thing you’ll see is a blank sheet with a blinking
insertion point. It indicates that you can start typing words and sentences. The toolbar
above the blank sheet offers plenty of options for formatting your text document. You can
customize font styles, font sizes, text alignments, and spacing.

Insert Images and Clipart

You can insert images and clipart in your Microsoft Word documents. This feature allows
users to add visuals that supplement the content of their text document. They can be
resized and positioned anywhere in a document’s layout. They can even be used as
backgrounds.

Insert Charts and Tables

Among the options offered by MS Word’s toolbar is the insertion of charts and tables into a
document. Users can decide how many columns and rows a table must have and what type
of chart to insert. Tables and charts help organize information with better context. That said,
they’re very much useful features in MS Word.

Templates

Microsoft Word offers templates with pre-set layouts. They’re free and can be accessed
immediately by the users. There are templates for letters, resumes, memos, reports, faxes,
and more.

Typo and Grammatical Error Detection

Microsoft Word helps users to create spotless, well-polished documents with its spelling and
grammar error detection function. As you write, MS Word will mark certain words with red if
they’re misspelled and will suggest the right spelling. It can even make the corrections for
the users if they activate the AutoCorrect option.
Saving and Sharing Document Files

Saving and sharing documents is a core feature in MS Word. Users can save their
documents in their device storage or in OneDrive. If they save documents in OneDrive, they
can share them with other users simply by granting View access or Edit access.

Adding Comments

Adding comments and suggestions is one of the features of MS Word that encourage
collaboration. Other users with Edit access can write their remarks about the document and
discuss them with peers remotely. MS Word’s Review tab allows users to add comments.
Microsoft Word – Uses, Purpose, Importance

Microsoft Word is such a dynamic word processing app. Most offices and workspaces take
advantage of its various elements thanks to their accessibility and user-friendliness. Let’s
discover why Microsoft Word is a reliable document creation system.

Convenient Document Preparation

The days of writing documents using typewriters are long gone. Microsoft Word offers
best-in-class tools that help users formulate documents of any standard format in just a few
clicks. You can create pages upon pages with a lot of room for error. It’s easy to make
corrections in MS Word, especially with its built-in auto-correct function.

Easy Document Editing

You can import and open existing documents in MS Word. From there, you can start editing
said documents using MS Word’s various tools. You can change the font sizes, font styles,
and font colors. You can also adjust the margins, line spacings, and text alignment. MS
Word gives users the freedom to revise documents however they want.

Access to Templates

Microsoft Word comes with free templates with pre-set styles, formats, and themes. With
templates, users won’t have to start from scratch. They can use the templates’ pre-set
designs and simply fill in the blanks and make some customizations. And also, Microsoft
Word is friendly to third-party templates.

Easy Sharing of Docs

Microsoft Word makes it easy for users to share their documents with peers. They don’t
have to print physical copies and send them personally or through the mail. They can save
documents in OneDrive and simply give other users access. Alternatively, they can send
document files via email.

Fast Printing

Most professionals print countless documents for their paperwork. Microsoft Word lets them
do that conveniently. The app allows users to print documents with multiple pages. But
before that, MS Word users can customize the print layout of their documents before
clicking Print. As long as a printer is connected to the computer, the printing process is
pretty much done.

Microsoft Word Parts

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar acts as the main menu or center hub of all the other menus in MS Word. It
contains the menus File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tools, Window, and Help.

Standard Toolbar

The Standard Toolbar can be found below the Menu Bar. It contains the shortcuts to
commands such as New, Open, Save, and Print.

Formatting Toolbar

The Formatting Toolbar contains the pop-up menus that provide the tools to format your
document. It has clickable icons for Underline, Italic, Bold, Number & Bullet List, Border,
Font Style, Font Color, and more.

Rulers

There are two rulers in MS Word—vertical and horizontal. One is found above the
document and the other is found on the right side of the document. You can use the rulers
to adjust the margins, indents, text spacing, and other elements in the document.

Insertion Point

The Insertion Point is that blinking small vertical bar you’ll see when opening a blank
document. It serves as an indicator of where your text will appear as you type on your
keyboard.
Status Bar

The Status Bar is located below the document. It primarily displays the total number of
pages added to the document and the word count.

Zoom Slider

The Zoom Slider is located in the bottom-right corner of the MS Word window. It lets users
zoom in or zoom out of the document on the fly. Moving the slider to the left zooms the user
out and moving it to the right zooms the user in.

The Document

The document will be front and center when you open MS Word. It’s where you’ll be typing
your text and adding other visual elements. It’s like your main workspace.

Microsoft Word vs. Excel

Microsoft Word’s primary function is to create and edit documents using a desktop
computer, laptop, or mobile device.

Microsoft Excel is Microsoft’s spreadsheet creation software that helps users devise
spreadsheets, pivot tables, charts, and grids with informative texts and numerical
characters.

See the detailed comparison of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel below.
Microsoft Word Tips and Tricks

Microsoft Word is a flexible word processing app. What that means is there are many things
you can do with it. There are plenty of workarounds on how to create, curate, and manage
your documents. Learn some of them here to become a more adept MS Word user.

Delete/Remove a Page in Microsoft Word

Deleting and removing a page in MS Word only takes a second. Learn the process of how
to delete/remove a page in Microsoft Word so that you can eradicate unnecessary pages
the next time around.

Download Microsoft Word on Mac

Microsoft Word is available on Mac. So if you’re a proud Mac user, learn how to download
Microsoft Word on Mac to get started with your paperwork soon.

Double Space in Microsoft Word

You can learn how to double space in Microsoft Word easily. It only takes around two clicks
to enable double spacing in your MS Word document.

Draw on Microsoft Word

If you like to create art in Microsoft Word, feel free to do so. Simply learn the steps on how
to draw on Microsoft Word.

Add Signature in Microsoft Word

You can add signatures to your document to indicate ownership of it. Check out our guide
on how to add signatures in Microsoft Word to get started.

Change Language in Microsoft Word

Want to set up a foreign language in Microsoft Word? Well, you can. Read our quick and
easy guide on how to change language in Microsoft Word.
Find Word Count in Microsoft Word

Do you want to know how many words you’ve written in your document? If so, simply learn
how to find word count in Microsoft Word. It’s super easy.

Print in Microsoft Word

Once you learn how to print in Microsoft Word, you can easily print as many documents as
you want. All you need is a decent printer.

Sign In/Sign Out in Microsoft Word

You can log in or log out of Microsoft Word anytime. Just learn the steps on how to sign
in/sign out in Microsoft Word.

Add Fonts to Microsoft Word

You can use any font you like in your document. But first, you must learn how to add fonts to
Microsoft Word.

Undo/Redo in Microsoft Word

Made a mistake as you were creating your document? Don’t worry. Just learn how to
undo/redo in Microsoft Word and you won’t lose progress.

Update/Insert Microsoft Word

Learn how to update/insert Microsoft Word for the best experience. You’ll get the hang of
the process in no time.

Recover a Microsoft Word Document

If you somehow lost your document, don’t panic. There’s a way to get it back. Just learn the
simple process of how to recover a Microsoft Word document.
Create a Table in Microsoft Word

Adding tables to your document is possible. Learn the steps on how to create a table in
Microsoft Word to get started soon.

Add a Border in Microsoft Word

Borders are important parts of every document. So make sure to learn how to add a border
in Microsoft Word.

Add Highlight Colors to Microsoft Word

You can add more colors to your documents if you wish. Start by learning how to add more
highlight colors to Microsoft Word.

Save a Document in Microsoft Word

Saving your document is important and something you must not forget to do. That said, you
should know how to save a document in Microsoft Word.

Select All in Microsoft Word

You can learn how to select all in Microsoft Word in no time. It’s one of the easiest
commands you can perform in the app.

Set Up a Grid in Microsoft Word

Some documents require the addition of grids. For that reason, we made our short guide on
how to set up a grid in Microsoft Word.

Activate Microsoft Word on Windows

If you’re a Windows user, Microsoft Word is your primary word processing software. So,
make sure to learn how to activate Microsoft Word on Windows.
Convert PDF to Microsoft Word

You can open your PDF document files in Microsoft Word. Just learn how to convert PDF to
Microsoft Word.

Move Picture in Microsoft Word

Pictures inserted in an MS Word document are moveable. Get to know the steps by reading
out guide on how to move pictures in Microsoft Word.

Spell Check in Microsoft Word

Correct spelling is essential in creating formal documents. That’s why we invite you to read
our guide on how to spell check in Microsoft Word.

Add Footnotes in Microsoft Word

You should learn how to add footnotes in Microsoft Word if you need footnotes in your
documents. The process can be learned in just minutes.

Email a Microsoft Word Document

One way to share your document is by sending it through email. Familiarize yourself with
the steps on how to email a Microsoft Word document.

Landscape on Microsoft Word

If you need to create landscape documents in MS Word, see our guide on how to landscape
on Microsoft Word.

Set Margins in Microsoft Word

Margins are customizable in MS Word. Learn the steps by checking out our guide on how to
set margins in Microsoft Word.
Switch Microsoft Word from Dark Mode

You can activate and deactivate Microsoft Word’s dark mode feature anytime. Just be
familiar with the steps on how to switch Microsoft Word from Dark Mode.

Download/Convert/Save Microsoft Word to PDF

If you need your documents to be in PDF format, learn the steps on how to
download/convert/save Microsoft Word to PDF.

Flip an Image in Microsoft Word

You can change the orientation of your document images. See our guide about how to flip
an image in Microsoft Word to begin.

Get Microsoft Word for Free

Microsoft Word has a free version. If you want it, discover the steps on how to get Microsoft
Word for free.

Create Fillable Forms in Microsoft Word

You should learn how to create fillable forms in Microsoft Word. It might help you soon,
especially when you’re assigned to create survey forms and exam questionnaires.

FAQs

What is the extension of MS Word?

The extension of MS Word is DOCX.

What are the components of MS Word?

The most important components of MS Word are the blank document, menu bar, standard
toolbar, formatting toolbar, rulers, zoom sliders, insertion point, and status bar.
What are the 7 tabs of Microsoft Word?

The 7 tabs of Microsoft Word are Home, Insert, Page Layout, References, Mailing, Review,
and View.

What do blue lines mean in Word?

The blue lines in Word indicate that you made errors in the grammar and format.

What is Page Break feature in MS Word?

It’s a marker that ends a documents page and starts a new blank page.

What is the maximum font size in Word?

The maximum font size in Word is 72.

What are some shortcuts for Microsoft Word?

Some notable shortcuts for MS Word are Ctrl + C to copy selected text, Ctrl + V to paste
selected text, Ctrl + X to cut selected text, Ctrl + P to access print settings, and Ctrl + B to
highlight selected text.

What does F7 do in MS Word?

Pressing the F7 key checks spelling and grammar in MS Word.

What are the toolbars in MS Word?

The two primary toolbars in MS Word are the standard toolbar and the formatting toolbar.

What is a header in MS Word?

The header, also called a heading, is the text at the top of a document in MS Word.