Jan's Computer Basics:2-2 Word Processing

Create

You create a document when you open a blank document and enter text.

Features/Terms:

Word wrap -	automatically wrapping the text to the next line so it all fits within the screen's width
Cursor -	symbol for where text will appear like:
Enter text-	type new text
Scrolling -	moving document around within window
Select -	Highlight text, usually by dragging. Commands and keystroke combinations will apply to the selected material.
Edit -	make changes
Cut -	remove selection from document and store temporarily on the Clipboard, which is a section of computer memory. The Windows Clipboard can hold only one thing at a time. The Office Clipboard from Office XP can hold many items.
Copy -	duplicate selection onto Clipboard
Paste -	place contents of the Clipboard at cursor location
Undo -	reverses whatever change you just made Some programs will only "undo" the last change. Others keep a list and can undo more, depending on how many changes the program tracks
Insert -	add text at location without overwriting existing text
Delete -	remove text (not saved anywhere)
Search -	look for specific word(s) or character(s)
Replace -	can replace specific word(s) or character(s) with stated text
Template -	a document that serves as a pattern for a new document
Thesaurus -	looks for synonyms for selected word
Spelling check -	looks for spelling errors
Grammar check -	looks for grammar/style errors (of limited help)

Do it!

Would you like to play around with the basic word processing skills?
Try the Do It! practice page. Both versions will open in a new window.

Do It! - framed
Do It! - no frames

For a full set of lessons on word processing, go to the section: Working with Words

Format

Once a document has been created, or during the process, you arrange how it will look by selecting the kind of letters and their sizes and colors, how much space is left and where, how things line up. This is formatting the document.