Microsoft Word XP is the word processing application in the Microsoft Office suite. Create professional-looking, formatted text documents with this powerful word processing software.
Let's briefly review the basic parts of the Word XP window before we move onto word processing.
Shown below is the Microsoft Word default window. When Word is launched, a new blank document—or default window—opens in Print Layout view. Although window elements are fully explained in our Windows course, here is a brief explanation of the Word window.
This displays the document name followed by a program name.
This contains a list of options to manage and customize documents.
This contains shortcut buttons for the most popular commands.
This contains buttons used for formatting.
This is used to set margins, indents, and tabs.
This is the location where the next character appears.
This indicates the end of the document.
This provides quick access to Help topics.
These are used to view parts of the document.
This displays the position of the insertion point and working mode buttons.
This provides easy access to commonly used menus, buttons, and tools.
These change the layout view of the document to normal, web layout, print layout, and outline view.
This links to the Microsoft Office Help feature.
In an effort to provide various ways in which to view your work in progress and remain organized, Word XP offers five views for your document. The five views are normal, print layout, web layout, outline, and full screen.
Normal view is best used for typing, editing, formatting and proofreading. It provides a maximum amount of space without rulers or page numbers cluttering your view.
Web Layout view shows what your text will look like on a webpage.
Print Layout view shows what your document will look like when it is printed. Under Print Layout view, you can see all elements of the page. Print Preview shows you this as well.
Outline view is used to create and edit outlines. Outline view only shows the headings in a document. This view is particularly handy when making notes.
Full Screen view displays ONLY the document you are working on. All other pieces of the Word window are removed except for one button that allows you to close the view screen.
Each Office XP program features a menu bar. The menu bar is made up of different menus. Each menu contains commands that enable you to work within the program.
If you have used a previous version of Microsoft Word, you may notice that the menu bar in Word XP operates slightly differently than before.
Word XP uses drop-down menus that initially display commands users most often need.
The task pane is new in Word XP. When opened, the task pane will appear on the right side of the Word window. The task pane provides easy access to commonly used menus, buttons, and tools. By default, the task pane will appear when Word XP is first launched.
If you do not see your task pane, you can view it by either selecting certain commands or by manually opening it.
Along the top bar of the task pane, you should see small backward and forward buttons on the left, as well as a down arrow on the right. To view different task panes available to you, click the down arrow. Once you have opened different task panes, you can navigate them by clicking the left and right arrow button on the left. To close your task pane, click the X symbol on the far-right of the bar.
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