20 FEATURES OF MS WORD

1. Word wrap: This function allows us to type continuously

without thinking about where one line will end and the next one
begins. It is not like typewriter which requires pressing a return
bar to advance to a beginning of a new line. A word processor
does this automatically. As we approach the end of the line the
computer determines the length of the word typed, if it extends
beyond the margin, the entire word will be taken to next line.

2. Font and font size: This is one of the best features that word
has provided to us. Now we can write in various fonts like
Bookman, Verdana, and Times New Roman and so on. It gives
us variety and good look to our presentation. Not only font but
also font size can be changed. The smallest font size is 8 and
largest font size is 72. This feature is available in format menu.
For e.g. the font used above is Times New Roman and the font
size is 12.
And the font used is Book Antiqua and the font
size is 16.

3. Spell check: Spell check under ‘tools’ menu is used to check the
spelling mistakes occurred in the document. Word underlines the
spelling mistakes by a waved red underline. Similarly
grammatical errors are highlighted by a green waved line. Spell
check can be done of a selected portion or a single page or the
whole document.
For e.g. spll check undr ‘tools’ menu is used to check spelling
mistake.
Now the above spelling mistakes can be rectified (underlined by
red line) by clinking the spell check button on the toolbar or as
mentioned above.
The correct sentence after ding spell check will be “spell check
under tools menu is used to check spelling mistake”.

4. Header and Footer: Header and Footer is an important function

provided by MS Word. Instead of typing the header and footer
each time we enter a new page, we can just select the ‘header
and footer’ option from the ‘view’ menu and type the necessary
header and footer.
For e.g. as shown on the starting of the page as well as ending
of the page.

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5.

D
menu.
rop cap: This function is used to turn the first character
of the story (the D of drop) into a drop cap. This can be
done by clicking the drop cap button from the ‘format’

6. Bullets and numbering: A bullets and numbering function is

used when we like to present our data in points. It is a good
practice to present it in points then presenting it in paragraphs
and it gives a nice look.
For e.g. as shown, each of the above is shown in points and this
is done by clicking ‘format’ and ‘bullets and numbering’.

7. Borders and shading: This feature is used to give borders and

shading of different colors to a page. It helps in improving the
presentation style.
For e.g. bordering can be seen on the sides of the pages. The
thickness of the border as well as the type of borders can be
changed and selected.

The shading can be seen as above and we can go to this function

from ‘format’
and selecting ‘borders and shading’.

8. Format painter: Suppose that we have one piece of text with

several attribute and font changes. If we want to use those same
pieces of attributes on another piece of text, we can copy the
formats rather than choosing it one by one. This function is
called as format painter.
For e.g. select the text that contains the format needed, invoke
the format printer and click and drag over the text that you want
to have this format.
This sentence contains the formats we wish to copy.
This sentence is where those formats from the above sentence will be copied.

Here is the result after we highlight the first sentence, click the
format painter button and then highlight the second
sentence.

This sentence is where those formats from the above sentence

will be copied.

9. Auto text: This function is one of the best features of MS Word.

It is used when we are writing a letter. Instead of preparing the

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whole letter by ourselves, word has features that can do few

things just by clicking the button
for e.g. writing the salutation line or the subject line or the
closing line we can
click the ‘auto text’ button from the ‘insert’ menu. We can
choose from the
available options the best salutation or closing line.
For .e.g. Attention:
Dear Sir:
Thank you, etc.

10. Letter wizard: This function is one of the most important

for business organizations where they have to send thousands of
letters to various people. This function provides readymade
letter in the form required subject to filling some data like letter
format, recipient’s info, other info and sender’s address. Only the
main content is left to be filled whereas each and every thing is
done correctly. In short the outline of the letter is ready. To
open the letter wizard you need to go to ‘tools’ and then “letter
wizard”.

11. Picture: It is a function where we can paste pictures for

better understanding. This function is located under ‘insert’
menu. Picture itself has various sub-functions .they are drawing,
auto shapes, word art, organizational chart and other charts.
Pictures can be from clip art or from file.
For e.g. a word art is like:

A chart is like:

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90
80
70
60
50 E a st
40 W e st
30 N o r th
20
10
0
1 s t Q t2r n d Q 3trr d Q tr4t h Q t r

12. Themes: This is a kind of a feature which gives an artistic

look to the document. It generates an interest for the viewer to
view the document. The best example in this case is a professor
where he has to check answer papers and something like this
can have a good impression on him. This feature is located in
‘format’ menu. The theme used in this case is “compass”.

13. Tables: Tables are used to display data in word and there
are several ways to build them in word. They are drawing the
table and inserting table of required rows and columns.
To draw the table, click on ‘table’ and ‘draw table’. It can be
done manually by drawing table or automatically by inserting the
required number of rows and columns.
For e.g.
Absentees in the class
NAME ROLL NO.
ASHISH 43
SANJAY 52
AVNI 60

14. Mail merge: Mail merge is term used for merging a list of
names and addresses with a standard letter to create
personalized letters. It’s a useful technique whenever we want to
sent the same letter to several people. To create a mail merge
document go into ‘tools’ menu and select “mail merger”.

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15. Justify: This function is used to bring the paragraph or the

whole page or the document in a straight line just like text
books.
For e.g. to justify the paragraph just click the justify button on
the formatting toolbar and the result will be seen.
The above point is “justified”.i.e. both the left and the right sides
are in a straight line.

16. Macros: A macro is a single instruction that performs

several different commands in a sequence determined by the
user, and is triggered when we run it. Most tasks performed on a
regular basis can be made into macros. A macro must be
planned carefully, since a sequence of actions is required.
Commands used to record, run and modify macros are located
on the ‘tools’ menu.

17. Import of excel datasheet: MS Word helps us to save

time when writing theses by allowing us to reproduce other
office applications into a Word document.

18. Auto summarize: This function helps to summarize the

whole document. It may be only few points may be covered in
the summary and not all. By using this function we can get a
rough idea about the content of the document. This function is
situated under’ tools’.

19. Language: This function helps us to get various

languages, can translate from one language to another; can get
the meaning of a word. Thus there is an in built dictionary in it.
For e.g. the meaning of theses can be theory, paper, essay etc.

20. Security: MS Word provides security and document

protection features. It protects against macro viruses and not
only that we can restrict our document as a read only document
by giving password protection to it.