MS Word (Introduction) • Opening, saving, and editing documents • Formatting text and inserting pictures • Page setup and printing basics

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY: MS Word (Introduction)

Welcome, JSS 1 students! Today, we're learning about Microsoft Word, a very useful computer program. Think of it as your digital notebook and pen, but much more powerful!

Core Concepts

What is MS Word?

Microsoft Word, often just called MS Word or Word, is a word processor. It is a software program that helps you type, edit, format, and print text documents. It's part of a group of programs called Microsoft Office. You can use it to write letters, reports, stories, and many other things.

Opening, Saving, and Editing Documents

1. Opening MS Word: To start MS Word, click on the Start button (usually at the bottom-left of your screen), then find and click on "Microsoft Word" in the list of programs. Sometimes, there's a shortcut icon directly on your desktop. When it opens, you'll usually see an option to start a "Blank document."

2. Opening an Existing Document: If you want to continue working on something you saved before, go to the File tab, then click Open. You will then browse through your computer folders to find your saved file and click "Open."

3. Saving a Document: Saving your work is very important so you don't lose it!

   • The first time you save, go to the File tab, then click Save As. Choose a location (like "Documents" folder), give your file a clear name (e.g., "My First Document"), and click Save.
   • After the first save, as you continue working, click the Save icon (a floppy disk symbol) or go to File > Save often. This updates your document with the latest changes.

4. Editing Documents: Editing means making changes to your text.

   • Typing: Just start typing on the blank page.
   • Selecting Text: Click and drag your mouse over the text you want to change. The selected text will be highlighted.
   • Deleting: Use the Backspace key to remove text to the left of your cursor, or the Delete key to remove text to the right.
   • Copy, Cut, Paste: You can copy or cut selected text and paste it elsewhere.
     • Copy: Makes a duplicate.
     • Cut: Removes the original text.
     • Paste: Inserts the copied or cut text.

Formatting Text and Inserting Pictures

1. Formatting Text: Formatting makes your text look good and easy to read. Select the text you want to format, then use the options in the Home tab, in the Font group.

   • Bold (B): Makes text darker and thicker.
   • Italic (I): Makes text slanted.
   • Underline (U): Puts a line under the text.
   • Font Type: Changes the style of the letters (e.g., Calibri, Times New Roman).
   • Font Size: Changes how big or small the letters are.
   • Text Colour: Changes the colour of your text.
   • Alignment: Arranges text on the page (Left, Center, Right, Justify).

   

2. Inserting Pictures: Pictures make your documents more interesting!

   • Go to the Insert tab.
   • Click on Pictures.
   • Browse your computer to find the image you want and click Insert.
   • Once inserted, you can click on the picture and use the small squares at its corners to resize it.

   

Page Setup and Printing Basics

1. Page Setup: Before printing, you might want to adjust how your page looks. Go to the Layout tab (or Page Layout in older versions) and look at the Page Setup group.

   • Margins: These are the blank spaces around the edges of your page (top, bottom, left, right).
   • Orientation: This changes whether your page is vertical (Portrait) or horizontal (Landscape).
   • Size: This sets the paper size, usually A4 in Nigeria.

   

2. Printing Basics: When you're ready to print your document:

   • Go to the File tab, then click Print.
   • You will see a Print Preview of your document.
   • Select your printer, choose how many copies you want, and then click the Print button.

   

Real-World Example

Imagine you need to type a neat letter to your class teacher asking for an extension on your assignment. You can use MS Word to type the letter, make your name bold, and even insert a small picture if allowed, then print it out perfectly.

Practice/Reflection Question

Why is it important to save your work often in MS Word? What could happen if you don't?