Word Processing
MicroSoft Works is an integrated package -- it contains a word processor, a database, a spreadsheet, a graphics program, and a telecommunications program. A word processor allows you to type, edit, save, and print documents. It is very much like a typewriter, but it has many added features. The best feature of a word processor is that you can edit (change) your work without ever having to re-type again.
MicroSoft Works has additional features such as spell check, cut and paste, and search and replace. You can even do desktop publishing (add pictures and charts) to your MicroSoft Works documents.
Features for Beginners
There are seven things you should learn to do with any word processor:
1. How to start the word processor
2. How to exit the word processor
3. How to create a document
4. How to edit a document
5. How to save a document
6. How to open a document
7. How to print a document
You can use a word processor if these are the only seven things you know. You will want to learn about the other features of a word processor, but only these seven features are essential.
Run & Exit the word processor
Make sure MicroSoft Works is on your ICLAS menu. Add it to the menu if necessary. To run MicroSoft Works, simply highlight the menu item and press the Enter-key.
To exit MicroSoft Works, hold down the ALT key and press the letter-F to see the file menu. Press the letter-X to exit MicroSoft Works.
Create a document
When you run MicroSoft Works, it starts on a blank screen. You just need to start typing. The biggest difference between a typewriter and a word processor is that the word processor has word wrap (when you come to the end of the line, you won't hear a beep like on a typewriter. The words automatically wrap to the next line on a word processor). As such, continue typing without regard to the edge of the paper.
The only two times you will press the Enter-key is at the end of a paragraph and at the end of a stand-alone line such as a title or heading.
Edit a document
You can edit a document much the same way as you do on a typewriter. Move the marker (cursor) by pressing the arrow keys. If you type new characters (letters and numbers), those characters will insert between other existing characters.
Save a document
To save a document, hold down the ALT key and press the letter-F to see the file menu. Press the letter-S to save your document. You will be asked to name your document -- this name is used to save your work on the disk. Remember the name you choose so you can find your document later. You can use any name you want, up to eight letters long (no spaces).
Open a document
To open a document means to bring it from where it was saved on the disk back into memory (so it appears on the screen). You open a document by holding down the ALT key and pressing the letter-F to see the file menu. Press the letter-O to open a document. You will be asked for the name of your document -- just type the name exactly as you typed it when you saved it.
Print a document
To print your document, hold down the ALT key and press the letter-P to see the print menu. Press the letter-P again to print. Be sure the screen shows the correct printer, then press the Enter-key.
Want to learn more?
To learn more about MicroSoft Works, each school has a set of computer-based training packages for MicroSoft Works. See your building sysop for information on this training.
You can also do an online tutorial in MicroSoft Works to learn more about the beginning features of this integrated package. To run the tutorial:
1. Run MicroSoft Works
2. Use your mouse to click HELP
3. Use your mouse to click TUTORIAL
