Word Processing

This module will go over how to use some basic word

processing features such as creating and saving documents as
well as adding images and updating the layout of the
documents.
 Word Processing
A word processor is a computer program that allows
you to input, edit, and format text. You can use word
processing software like Microsoft Word and Google
Docs to create documents that you can print or share
digitally.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word or MS Word is a word processing

program that you can use to create documents. It is
made by the computer company Microsoft. Its purpose
is to allow users to create and save documents. It has
helpful tools to edit and enhance documents such as
adding images.
Microsoft Word
To access Microsoft Word, go to Office.com. There you can create a free account
with Microsoft and access Word with the free online web-based version.
Web-based means that you can only access it when you are connected to the
internet, but you can also access it from any computer, anywhere. You can also
pay for a version which you download onto your computer. You can use this
version without being connected to the internet, but only from your computer.
Google Docs
Google Docs

If you have a Gmail, or Google Mail, account, you already

have access to Google Docs as part of the Google Suite.
Google Docs is a word processing application similar to
Microsoft Word. It has many of the same features as
Microsoft Word. Like the online version of MS Word, Google
Docs is web-based and is accessed through the internet.
Google Docs

If you do not already have an account, you can sign

up for a Google account at Google.com. Once you
are in your Google account, you can access the Docs
by clicking on the square of dots in the top right
corner of your browser window.

When you click the square of dots, you will see all the
applications available through Google Suite. You can
click on the Docs icon to open this application and
start working on a document.
Create a New Document
Create a New Document
Once you have opened your word processing application (Microsoft Word or Google Docs) you can start with a
blank document or a template from the template gallery. A template will have preset designs that you can use
for different types of documents.

An image of the template gallery in Microsoft Word An image of the template gallery in Google Docs
Adding Text
You can begin adding in text by typing in the document. You can indent at the start of a paragraph by hitting the
Tab key on your keyboard. At the end of a paragraph, you can hit the Enter key to end the paragraph and move
down the page to start a new one.

Image of a Keyboard with the Tab and Enter keys indicated

Text Options
Text Options
You have many options in both Word and Docs to customize your text. You can change the color, size, style, and
placement of your text using the ribbon, or menu, on the top of your screen.

Microsoft Word Ribbon

Google Docs Ribbon

Font Color
You can change the color of your font. Both Word and Docs provide you with options, but you can also customize
your color from a spectrum of colors. To pick a color from the selections, you click the icon that has an underlined
A on it. This will provide you with the options and also a place to click for a custom color.

To pick a color from the selections, you click the icon that has an underlined A on it.

You can select your custom color from a gradient in either MS Word or Google
Docs. Place your cursor anywhere in the gradient and left click to select a
color.
Font Color
A cursor is an indicator used to show the current position for user interaction on a computer monitor or other
display device that will respond to text input from a keyboard or movement from a mouse.

Custom color options in Docs (left) and Word (right)

Font Size and Type
There are many fonts that you can choose from in word processing applications. You can decide which font to
use based on what type of document you are creating.

In your Home ribbon on MS Word, you will see a section called Font. Here you can change the font type and size
by clicking the arrow next to the field and choosing from the drop down menu. In Docs, you can find these
options in the center of the ribbon.

font size

Changing font and font size in MS Word

Font selections in Google Docs

Font Size and Type (Continued)
You can also add emphasis to words by making them bolded, underlined,
or italicized. The icons for these options are the same in MS Word and
Google Docs.

Left to right: Bold, Italics, Underline

Lists
Lists
You can create a bulleted or numbered list in your word processor that will have consistent formatting. These
can be used for an outline, for a shopping list, or for notes.

A bulleted list creates a list with bullets next to the items. You can customize the style of your bullets with the
drop down arrow next to the bullet icon.

Click to add bullet list points in MS Word

Lists (Continued)
You can also create a numbered list that uses numbers and sometimes letters next to your list items. There are
different formats for numbered lists with different types of outline set ups. You can find options for this by
clicking on the arrow to the right of the numbered list icon.

Click to add a numbered list in MS Word Bulleted and numbered list icons in Google Docs
Aligning Text
Aligning text
We can change where our text is focused or lined up using our
text align options.

Center Align - Lines up so the center of the line of text is in the

middle of the document
From left to right: Left Align, Center
Align, Right Align, Justify
Left Align - Lines up the text so the left hand side is flat against
the edge of the document

Right Align - Lines up the text so the right hand side is flat
against the edge of the document

Justify - Adjusts the spacing between words so both left and right
side are flat, up to a certain point, then it defaults to the left align
Adding Images
Adding Images
You can add images to your documents in MS Word and Google Docs.

To add images to a MS Word Document, use the Insert tab in the menu bar and then click on the
Pictures tab.

The Insert ribbon on Google Docs

Adding Images (Continued)
You can add images to your MS word documents from three
sources:

★ Online: Uses Bing to search for images on the internet.

★ Stock images: Free from Word and can be accessed by
selecting “stock images” from the drop down menu in the
Pictures Tab
★ Your device: You can upload images you have saved on
your computer or tablet to Word.
Adding Images in Google Docs
To add images to Google Docs, use the Insert tab in the menu bar
and then click on the Image tab.
Adding Image in Google Docs
In Google Docs you have different options from MS Word:

★ Upload from computer: Allows you to select an image from your

device.
★ Search the web: Uses Google Image search to find an image
★ Drive: Allows you to add an image that you have stored in your
Google Drive account
★ If you have an Android mobile device, Photos allows you to add
images from your Photos app
★ If you are using Docs on a mobile device, Camera allows you to
take a picture and add it directly to your document
Sizing Images
You can resize an image by selecting the image with your cursor and dragging the sides or
corners of the image. This will change the size of the image and make it bigger or smaller based
on the direction you pull your selection.

By double clicking on your image, you can resize the image

Layout
Layout
There are many tools to assist you in managing the way you
want your document to be set up. This is called the layout of
the document.
Layout in Microsoft Word
MS Word has a layout ribbon with many options for formatting.

Layout ribbon in MS Word

Layout in Google Docs
You can find many of the same options in the dropdown
menu under Format in Google Docs.

Formatting menu in Google

Docs
Layout (Continued)
Page Orientation controls whether the pages' long side is on the left
and the right (portrait/vertical) or top and bottom
(landscape/horizontal).

Margins control the space between our content (text/images) and the
edge of our page. In Docs, you can adjust the margins by selecting
Page Setup under the File Menu.

Page Size controls the width and height of your page. In Google Docs
you can do this in the Page setup dialog box as well.

Columns allow you to create vertical columns that split your content.

Line Spacing controls the space in between lines of text.

The Page setup dialog box in Google Docs