The Word Screen

Microsoft Word is nothing more than an electronic method for conveying ideas, information and data in a manner that can be shared or stored as a hard copy or in an electronic format. As a performance based software tool, Microsoft Word transcends what has been possible in the past with basic word processing tools and allows users to be as colourful, creative and innovative as an active imagination will allow. Technical and collaborative opportunities abound with a number of key features offered in the Tools, Insert and Format menus. To navigate these features well and make the most of Word, requires a thorough understanding of the power of the software hidden behind the simply designed Word Screen.

For many users the Microsoft Word screen presents unlimited potential for organizing text, graphics, charts and graphs. For others the blank page poses a challenge as big as climbing Mount Everest. No easy task even with equipment, training and an experienced Sherpa who is half Tenzing Norgay and half Arnold Schwartzenagger. For those of you who sit in front of your computer screens with great trepidation, put fear behind you. Consider this article your Word guide on the side. The Word screen is a thing of wonder not a thing to induce bouts of bewildered wonderment. Microsoft has created a software tool that is easy to use, intuitive and offers management features consistent with other software packages like Publisher and Excel. In other words if you master Word, navigating through other software will be nothing short of a synch.

The Word screen consists of a blank page with four margin guidelines in the upper and lower corners. Above this page is the dark blue title bar. Once you save your document the file name you select will appear on the left of the bar. The right has three options: minimize, maximize and close the window. Never close the window without saving. Below the title bar are the menu bars.

The menu bar can be modified to suit personal taste. What works well for you will depend entirely on your task. In general however, most users like to have specific menus visible. To bring a menu to the top of your screen click on View then select Toolbars. A list of options will appear. In general, most users appreciate having the Standard, Formatting and Drawing menus visible. If you are not adding any shapes, or pictures, or charts you may prefer to leave the Draw menu off your screen to keep things less cluttered. On the menu bar to the right is the help window. A number of questions pertaining to a Word document can be addressed just by typing in a clearly worded inquiry. The document can also be closed by clicking on the X located on the far right.

When you are ready to begin typing on the page, go ahead and start. You will see a flashing cursor in the top left. That is your insertion point. You can manipulate it and set in on any place on the page. Use the return key first. The arrow keys won't work until text or spaces have been placed on the page. Once you have started typing you can use the page up or page down keys on your keyboard. Additionally, on the left of the screen is the up and down vertical navigation bar. On the bottom of the screen the horizontal navigation bar lets you move side to side.
On the far right is the task pane. This is where the help box will open with dialogue. Additionally if you track changes they will appear on the task pane as well.

On the bottom of the screen is an information bar that indicates:

• the current page your cursor is resting on
• the number of pages in your document
• the language dictionary being used (the default is English USA)
• the position of the cursor is recorded as you type
• and the line number is also tracked.

There are additional features that you may or may not find useful. There is a record button for creating macros, the tracking button for tracking editing and revision changes made to a document, and the overtype button which will replace existing text. These features are quite advanced features but are extremely helpful for economizing the time spend creating documents.

The Word Screen includes rulers on the top for setting tabs and a ruler on the side that helps gage the margin placement.

Finally there are two useful features added to navigate through the Word document. On the left the view buttons allow the user to view the document as it would appear after printing, or as it appears with formatting outlined or as it would appear in a reading layout. On the right the browser buttons allow users to navigate quickly through lengthy documents.

An understanding of the Word Screen and an ability to successfully orchestrate the various buttons, menus and windows will place even the most pusillanimous user in the pilot's seat ready for take-off.