(DP) Word Processing Basics Lesson

Word Processing Basics

While all word processing programs have their differences, they have many things in common. Below, you will find a brief discussion of some basic similarities.

Terms and Tips

The Enter Key - The most popular use for the enter key in word processing is to put space between paragraphs. Before you do this, make sure you know where the cursor is because the computer will do exactly what you tell it to do. Sometimes we may want to move text to another line without putting in a space between the lines. To do this press Shift + Enter.

The Tab Key - Hitting this key will give you an indent of five character spaces. In fact, the cursor will move five spaces to the right each time you press the key. The key combination Shift + Tab will allow you to back up the cursor. For finer alignment, use the space bar.

Highlighting Text - This technique can save a lot of time. Once you drag the mouse over the text to highlight it you can make it bold, italicize it, underline it, cut it, and copy it.

Save - The Golden Rule of Word Processing, is probably save early, save often. In saving, however, be aware of where you are saving the file (so you can find it again) and how you name your file (so you can find it again!) If you want to keep both the old and new version of a file use the Save As feature rather than the Save feature.

Print - The Print dialog box is usually accessible from the File menu. When printing a document, you need to be aware of the settings in this box. Which printer will you be using, or will you be printing to a PDF file (and saving it?) Are you printing the whole document or just the current page? Do you want it printed in portrait or landscape orientation. These are all accessible from your print dialog box.

The Word Processing Screen

All word processing software bears some resemblance to every other. Here are some common components:

Title Bar - This bar across the top of the document includes the name (or logo) of the software and the title of the document.

Menu Bar - Just below the title bar, this bar allows access to all of the available menu options. In almost every software the File option is the first and the Help option is the last.

Scroll Bar - This bar allows you to scroll through the document both vertically and horizontally.

Tool Bar - Toolbars give you access to the formatting functions of the software. In some word processing programs there are several types of toolbars and you can choose which ones are displayed.

Insertion Point - This is marked by your cursor. It is where the text will appear as you start to type.

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION