Changing the Default Template
These instructions can be used to change the appearance of the default template. For instance, the default template double spaces. You can change that behavior and then change the template so that Word will no longer double space a new document. Simply follow the procedure below to change the default template:
- Open Word
- Right Click on Normal, this should be on the Home tab under Styles
- Click on Modify…
- You can adjust the basic formatting style with the tools on that main screen, or you can select the Format drop-down in the bottom left corner
- Once you have modified the style, be sure to select New documents based on this template at the bottom, above the OK button
- Click OK
- If you close out of Word and reopen the program, you should see the changes that you made to the blank template
Tips
Screenshots And Screen Clippings
Have you ever wanted to add a visual from your screen to a document in order to explain or clarify a concept? Screenshots and screen clippings enable you to create an image of all, or a specific area, of your screen and insert it into your document.
Benefits: This feature makes it easy to add pictures to Word or PowerPoint documents without having to switch to a third-party application.
How To: Go to the Insert tab and click on the Screenshots icon. This opens a popup window which enables you to select the area of your screen that you want in your picture. Then the software automatically adds the screenshot or clipping to the document you’re working on.
Compatibility: Available in Word and PowerPoint.
Quick Parts In Word
If you’re tired of typing the same things over and over again in your Word documents, Quick Parts may be for you. It enables users to set up standard elements, such as addresses, for letters and other official documents.
Benefits: Helps users save time by cross-referencing different documents for standard elements. This feature is available from the AutoText Gallery.
How To: Go to the Insert tab and select Quick Parts > Document Property. There you’ll find a list of options where you can specify standard elements to be used across all organizational documents. It also features a Building Blocks Organizer where you can set up quick-access templates and objects.
Hyphenation
Improve readability and maximize the space on a Word document page by letting Word properly hyphenate multi-syllabic words.
Benefits: Helps you create better-looking, more readable, and more efficient documents. It also results in neater word spacing, whether you’re using unjustified right margins or fully justified text.
How To: Go to the Page Layout tab and click on the Hyphenation icon. From there, choose to make hyphenation either manual or automatic.
Compare And Combine
Say you have a document that you and your co-workers are reviewing and commenting on, and now you have to combine all of the feedback into a new version. Sound like a nightmare? Not with Word’s Compare and Combine feature.
This feature, located in the Review tab, allows you to automatically see differences between two Word documents. This opens a new document with all the changes marked up, and gives you a new, combined document, if you want.
Benefits: Enables users to reconcile many similar documents with minor changes. This can be particularly helpful when multiple users are working on the same document simultaneously.
How To: Go to the Review tab and click on the Compare icon. Tell the feature which two documents you want to compare, and Word returns a comparison document with all the changes recorded in the left pane of the document.
Import Pictures From Social Media
You can easily import video and pictures from linked social media or cloud accounts, such as One Drive, Facebook, or Flickr, directly into your Word and PowerPoint documents and presentations.
Benefits: Add video and pictures to documents directly from social networks.
How To: Go to the Insert tab and click on the Online Pictures icon. This will give you a link to sign in to certain social media or other accounts. For security, Office will send a verification code to the relevant account before it is connected. Then the linked accounts appear on the screen so you can import pictures and videos from them into your documents.
Compatibility: Available in Word and PowerPoint.
Calculate
Need to count? Don’t bother opening your calculator app. Word gives users the option to perform calculations from within the Word document itself, without having to switch to an external application.
Benefits: You can simply type arithmetic into a Word document and get a solution, rather than using a calculator app.
How To: In Word, go to File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar > Choose All Commands, then select Calculator from the list. Add Calculator to the Customized Access Toolbar.