Microsoft Word Quicktips

QuickTips Index

Templates -- Create Word Templates Quickly
Templates will save you a lot of time when you create new documents. If you're looking for a quick way to create a template, or want to make your templates easy to edit, then this tip is for you.

Listing all the Commands Available in Word
You know that there are a lot of features and commands available in Word, but have you ever wondered what they all are? Find out how to get an exhaustive list of the commands, including where they're located and what shortcut key will activate them.

Show Word 2003's Shortcut Keys in ScreenTips
Shortcut keys can save you a lot of time when you're working in Word. If you don't know the shortcut keys for the commands, don't fret. You can have Word display the shortcut keys in the ScreenTips. Here's how!

Changing the Location Where Files Are Saved
By default Word saves your files in the My Documents folder on your hard drive. While it is easy enough to change this in the Save dialog box, if you always want to save your documents in a particular folder, it makes a lot of sense to customize Word to accomodate this. Find out how it is done!

Enabling/Disabling Picture Placeholders
If you’ve inserted a picture or an object such as an Excel spreadsheet in your Word file, but instead of the table you only see an outline where it should be, you might have picture placeholders enabled. Find out how to disable this feature and see what you’ve inserted in the document. Or, conversely, if you want to save some of your computing resources, find out how to enable this feature.

Quick Selection
Frustrated by the mouse and want a quick way to select text and other objects in your document? Then this tip is for you.

Start-up Problems -- Tracing Start-up Problems to the Normal Template
If you're having problems starting up Word, you should check the Normal.dot template. Many start-up problems can be traced back to a corrupt Normal.dot file. Fortunately, it is the easiest start-up problem to fix.

Turning on/off Word's Task Pane
Although the Task Pane introduced to Word in 2002 provides quick access to certain commands, many users may find that they would prefer to free up the screen space so they have more room to work on their document. Find out how to turn it on or off and choose whether you want it to open with Word.

Return to a Previous Editing Location
There's nothing worse than scrolling through a lot of text to try to find a specific point in the document. If you want to return to a place you just entered or edited text, however, there is a quick way to do it. Find out how!

Tracking Documents With Headers and Footers
The use of Microsoft Word's AutoText feature in headers and footers can provide a fast and easy way for you to find files on your hard drive just by looking at a copy of the printed document. Find out more.

Choosing a Program to Create Your Mail Merge Data Source
You have numerous options when you create a data source for use in mail merge. It really can be overwhelming at times. If you need help deciding which program to use to create the data file, here’s some advice that will help you make a wise decision.

Assigning Password Protection
Working with sensitive information? Worried that prying eyes may want to read what you're up to? Then you might want to think about assigning password protection to your documents.

Disabling Keys or Keystrokes
If you keep hitting a command key accidentally or if you want to remove a specific shortcut key from Word, you can do so quite easily. I would recommend that you use this feature sparingly if you share a computer with someone else, or they might think there's a problem with the keyboard!

Microsoft Word Help -- Change the Office Assistant
If you like the animated office assistant, but you’re getting a little tired of Clippit, Microsoft has included a whole gallery of assistants for you to choose from. My personal favorite is Rocky the dog.

Change the Display Color in Word
If you suffer from eyestrain, you're not alone. People who spend hours a day in front of a computer screen tend to experience blurred vision and headaches as a result of eyestrain. Fortunately, here's something you can do to reduce eyestrain when you're working in Word.

Things to Look for When Proofing Mail Merge Documents
As with any document you create, it is important to proofread your mail merge documents for errors. With mail merge, however, there are some mistakes that are easy to introduce into your document. Find out what to look for when you’re reviewing your work.

Replacing Font Formats With Word's Replace Dialog Box
If you've ever wanted to replace specific font formatting in Word and have done it manually, you know that it can be a tedious process. Fortunately, you can use Word's Replace dialog box to automate the process.

Show or Hide Text Boundaries
If you've ever wanted to the editable area in your Microsoft Word documents and don't like using the rulers to estimate it, there is a very simple solution. The option to show or hide text boundaries will eliminate the guess work.

Mail Merge and Punctuation
When you’re preparing a mail merge, it is a good idea to include the punctuation in the main document rather than including it in the merge field. If you will require different punctuation for different records, then you should read this work-around.

Highlighting Mail Merge Fields
Proofing your documents is essential when you’re working with mail merge; you’ll want to pay particular attention to the inserted data. If you’re having trouble finding the data that has been inserted in your document, this tip will show you how to have Word highlight the fields for you.

Using Notes Fields in Mail Merge
Although Word gives you the option of personalizing documents created in mail merge after the data has been merged with the document, it makes more sense to personalize them before you complete the merge.

Opening Mail Merge Data Files With Excel
You created a mail merge data source in Word, but then you realize the data has a second purpose and you’d like to convert it to an Excel spreadsheet. Don’t despair, the solution is simple.

Using Mail Merge to Create Single Documents
Puzzled why someone would use mail merge when they only need to create one document? It is a great idea, but there’s a catch…

Mail Merge and Subject-Verb Agreement
Is subject/verb agreement in mail merge giving you a headache? Here’s a startlingly simple tip that will provide a solution to your problem.

Protecting the Normal Template
Many macro viruses attack the Normal.dot template. Find out how you can increase your computer's security and give yourself a little more piece of mind by protecting the Normal.dot template.

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