Making Documents CommunicateDiscussion of methods for organizing and formatting information
that facilitate communication. Topics include contrast, repetition,
indentation and alignment, proximity, consistency, and the role played
by changing word processing technology.
MS-Word User-InterfaceCovers the MS-Word user interface in versions 2007/2010/2013.
Coverage includes descriptions of the principal document views, the Ribbon, the
Quick Access Toolbar, the Mini Toolbar, Zoom, Task Panes, Show/Hide formatting
symbols, and Keyboard shortcuts.
Selecting TextThe most efficient techniques for selecting text using both keyboard and mouse.
Moving Text in DocumentsDescribes efficient alternatives to Copy and Paste and Cut and Paste to move text around in documents.
Typeface ConceptsDefines the term typeface and explains the difference
between serif and sans serif typefaces and proportionately and non-
proportionately spaced typefaces. It also explains how differences in
size, weight, and style account for different fonts of the same
typeface.
Undo, Redo, RepeatDescribes the Undo, Redo, and Repeat actions and gives examples of how they can be used effectively.
Margins, Word-Wrap, and Paragraph SpacingDiscusson of margins, word-wrap, and spacing before, after, and inside paragraphs. It distinguishes between lines and paragraphs, and dynamic and manual line breaks. It shows how to use Space After as part of a Style and how manual line breaks can be used to modify Space After in lists and mailing addresses.
Alignments, Indentations, and TabsCoverage of horizontal paragraph alignments, vertical page alignments, paragraph indentation options, and the use of tabs to align decimal numbers.
Bulleted and Numbered ListsDistinguishes between ordered and unordered lists and gives two methods that can be used to create them (Ribbon tool and AutoCorrect). Also explains how to format list items automatically using AutoCorrect and how manual line breaks can be used to control
the line length of list items.
GraphicsDiscusses the types of graphics which can be incorporated into an MS-Word document and describes some of their available options.
Making Tables Sing and DanceExplains how tables can be used not only to present information but also to a) arrange graphics and text in sophisticated layouts, and b) manipulate and transform information by converting it between lists and tables and tables and lists. It also covers the many formatting options available for tables and gives simple methods for re-arranging both table structure and table contents.
AutoCorrectDescribes MS-Word's AutoCorrect feature and gives instructions to create an AutoCorrect entry that expands acronyms.
Find and Find and ReplaceDescribes "Find" (Search) and "Find and Replace" in MS-Word and gives suggestions how they can be used.
Direct FormattingDefines direct formatting and describes the many problems associated with using it as opposed to formatting using Styles.
The Format PainterExplains how to use the Format Painter in single-use and multiple application modes and discusses why formatting with styles is superior to using the Format Painter.
Formatting with StylesDiscussion of MS-Word styles and their benefits. Explains how to apply styles, modify them, and create new styles. Describes how to use styles and templates to change the default typeface and other formats. Includes a link to an exercise which covers all aspects of working with styles and explains how to set up Word options to make styles work smoothly.
Document TemplatesDefines the concept of templates and explains how and why they are used. Explains how to create custom templates, modify templates, set up a folder for user-generated templates, and manage Styles between templates.
MS-Office ThemesDescribes MS-Office themes and points out a few of their advantages and shortcomings.
Longer DocumentsDiscussion of considerations for longer documents, including page breaks, footnotes and endnotes, sections,
headers and footers, and blank pages and orphans.
Add Send to Powerpoint to MS-Word's QATExplains how to add to MS_Word's Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) any of the many commands which don't appear on the Ribbon. The example used is "Send to MS-Powerpoint", but the method is identical for any other command. Works for MS-Word version 2007 and beyond.
Spicing up Titles and Text in MS-WordExplains how to use text effects available in MS-Word 2007 and up in order to add more interest to titles and text in documents such as brochures and posters.
Extracting an Outline in MS-Word
headings
Describes a simple method to obtain an outline without sub-text from an MS-Word document which is formatted using Word's built-in heading styles.
Works CitedDefines direct formatting and describes problems associated with using it as opposed to formatting using Styles.
MS-Word 2003 and Earlier
Recovering Corrupted Documents: MS-WordThis article explains how text from a corrupted document in MS-Word
may be recovered in versions prior to MS-Word 2007.
Fixing MS-Word AnnoyancesHow to use the MS-Word Options menu to eliminate annoying Word features and make Word work the way you want.