Microsoft Word

Check out these free Microsoft Word tips and tricks.

Whether you need to create a report, write a letter, update your resume, create a cover page or add a cross reference, Microsoft Word is ready and waiting. Learn about the latest features and how they can improve your productivity. Learn how to take your Word document from plain to exceptional.

Find out the tips and tricks you need to know so that you can use Word like a pro!

Add a SmartArt graphic in Word

Being able to represent content in a graphical way can add immense meaning and visual appeal to any document. All the Microsoft 365 apps provide the ability to easily create a SmartArt graphic to provide a visual representation of information ...

How to format tables in Word

In a previous post I outlined how to create a basic table in Microsoft Word. Let's go to the next steps and look at how we can format a table with different styling and also add more rows or columns ...

How to dictate in Word

The Dictate function in Word allows you to use speech-to-text functions to create content using your microphone. Learning how to dictate in Word will provide a quick and easy way to put your thoughts into words and capture ideas efficiently ...

How to add a header and footer to a document in Word

Add a header and footer to a Word document

When working with long documents you will need to add a header and footer section. The header and footer in Word allows you to add information to the top and bottom of each page within a document. These sections allow ...

How to convert a document in Word to PDF

Wondering how to convert a document from Word to PDF format? Well many moons ago, Microsoft added this feature directly into the Microsoft products and lots of people didn't notice and still haven't. Whilst there are lots of programs on ...

How to change line spacing between bullet and number lists

How to change spacing between items in a list in Word

I use bullet and numbered lists a lot. They help me to summarise information and make my text stand out. I like to have my list items spaced apart a little, I don't want them all squashed together. Let me ...

How to send bulk emails using Mail Merge in Word

For the most part, I find people have heard of a Mail Merge. The process of combining a list of contacts with a letter which you can then merge together and print. Did you know that you can also use ...

Save time! Pin a file to the Open list in Microsoft Office

At the start of every training course, I show participants through a few really useful features of the Microsoft Office programs. These features save you time during a busy workday. One such feature is AutoCorrect, another is the ability to ...

Quick Parts – the quickest way to insert reusable information in Word

Today I saw a question on an online forum where a user needed to insert the same name and address quite frequently into a Word document. The user had asked if a drop-down menu in Word would provide a quicker ...

Insert Excel into a Word document

Did you know that you can insert Excel into Word? That's right, you can have the functionality of an Excel worksheet sitting inside your Word document. This is one of the many functions that I find people aren't aware of ...

How to convert documents to the latest file format

How to fix “compatibility mode” in Word

Does your document show [Compatibility Mode] in the Word title bar? You'll be happy to know that this is a simple fix. Compatibility mode identifies to the user that a document is not using the most recent file format. Let's ...

How to disable the Start Screen at startup in Office programs

In recent versions of the Microsoft Office programs, users now see a Start screen appear when any of the programs are launched. This Start Screen gives you quick access to various functions such as any recent files you have opened ...

How to create a basic table in Word

The ability to create a table in Word allows users to present content on the page in a column and/or row format. Many users associate a table with the “ever so obvious” layout where borders are displayed. Whilst this is ...

Control hyphenation in Word

A common question I hear is “why are my words breaking across separate lines with a dash connecting them?” It’s a common question on discussion boards online and thankfully it’s a very simple fix. Unfortunately, this issue occurs and is ...

Compress file sizes of graphics or photos in Word

Quite often when working with long documents using Microsoft Word, you need to be mindful of file sizes. If you are utilising multiple graphics or photos within your document then this will have an effect on the end file size ...

How to open any Microsoft Office program

How to open any Microsoft Office product

For those starting out using Microsoft Office and even for those familiar with the programs, our computers can sometimes be a treasure trove full of so many programs that it's impossible to find the one we want. Being able to ...

How to copy formatting using Format Painter

Each of the Microsoft programs includes some basic clipboard options which incorporate the Cut, Copy and Paste functions. Generally users are pretty familiar with these tools. What many users have not utilised is the fourth function in the group called ...

How to create a cross-reference in Word

When working with long documents in Word, you may find yourself searching for an easy way to link content between different pages. I’ve seen many imaginative ways of performing this function using Microsoft Word but today I want to show ...

How to customise numbered list alignment in Word

I recently saw an issue arise on a discussion forum where a user asked a question related to the alignment of a numbered list. The solution was a simple one but as the author commented, how would anyone not familiar ...

How to create a screenshot using Office

For years I have been creating screenshots for various reasons; for use in training courseware; to illustrate to a remote user a button I want them to press; to relay information about a technical problem or error, and the list ...

Create a Table of Contents in Word

In many aspects of our daily life, we encounter and use a table of contents. Whether it is opening a magazine or reading the newspaper, you will see this feature in many types of reading materials. Microsoft Word has provided ...

How to create a cover page in Microsoft Word

How to create a cover page in Word

How much time have you spent creating a cover page in Word? Before you know it you've taken 30 minutes and all you have is a heading and a page border. When I started working I used to spend a ...

The Office Clipboard – a hidden treasure

A common feature used within all of the Microsoft Office applications is the cut, copy and paste feature. I personally use this A LOT. The ability to cut, copy and paste within any of the applications and also between different ...

The best keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word

Today I am going to show you the best keyboard shortcuts for use in Microsoft Word. You may have noticed that I’m a fan of efficiency. If there is an option to do something faster in any of the Microsoft ...

How to use Styles in Word

A common issue when working with long documents is how to maintain consistent formatting across all pages? Learning how to use Styles in Word is a fundamental skill that all users should have yet many users don't understand. Working with ...

Customise the Quick Access Toolbar

At the start of almost every Microsoft course I teach, I discuss the options you have to customise any of the Microsoft Office products. The Quick Access toolbar (QAT) is right up there on my list of favourite ways to ...

Create PDF file using any Microsoft Office program

Create a PDF file using any Microsoft Office program

Any of the Microsoft Office programs includes the ability to create a PDF file for you. I’m always surprised at how many people are still unaware that this function is now built-in. Quite often people are not aware of this ...

Create perfect shapes in Word

Microsoft Word includes some very useful shapes which allow you to use your imagination and create your own graphical charts or diagrams. The shapes available include lines, banners, callouts, various types of rectangles and much more. You are then able ...

How to resize an image correctly using Word

How to resize an image correctly in Word

There are several methods to resize an image in Microsoft Word. In this exercise we will use the resize handles to make changes to an image in your document. One common mistake when working with graphics is that the users ...

How to use AutoCorrect in Microsoft Office

The Microsoft 365 programs include a powerful feature called Autocorrect. Autocorrect helps to reduce typing errors whilst you work and is set up by default to correct common spelling and punctuation errors. Typing errors such as irregular capitalisation, or commonly ...