Usage
Microsoft Word (or MS Word) is one of the most widely used word-processing programs. Word-processor programs primarily allow users to create and edit text documents. Typical use may include writing an essay or report, creating a resume, or writing notes. In addition, work can be presented in the form of inserted tables, diagrams or pictures.

Basic functions
The most basic function of MS Word is to create a document/file. Once a document has been created, the user may enter data - for example by typing some text. At any point after the document has been created, the user is allowed to save the contents. The document can then be accessed at a later time and modified as necessary. Documents can be printed out at any stage in this process.

Creating a new document

As mentioned above, this operation is performed when the user desires to begin a new document.

Upon starting MS Word, a new blank document is automatically generated. You may begin typing text on the white space.

Saving a document

Once progress has been made on your document, you should save the contents. This will allow you to retrieve it at a later time, and also protect your work from being lost in cases of computer malfunction.

To save a document, click the 'File' on the menu bar located at the top of the page. Then, click 'Save'. If it is the first time you are saving the document, a window will pop-up, prompting you to name the document. This pop-up window also allows you to choose the location to which the file will be saved.

Once you have entered the desired name, click on the 'Save' button at the bottom right corner of the pop-up window. The document is now saved under the entered name.

For all subsequent saves, the pop-up window will not appear. Upon clicking 'File' and then 'Save', the document will be saved.

'Close' file function

Once you have finished your work, and want to end the session, you must close the active document. This is accomplished by clicking on 'File' and then on 'Close'. This will immediately close the file if it has been saved.

If the file has not been saved (or changes to the file have been made since the last time it was saved), a pop-up window will appear prompting you to either save the document; discard the most recent changes; or abort the 'close file' operation.

'Open' file function

To access a file that has already been created (and subsequently saved), the user must 'open' the file. Upon starting MS Word, click on 'File' and then 'Open'. A window will pop-up prompting you to select the file you desire to access. Click on the file you want to access (it should become highlighted). Then click on the 'Open' button located in the bottom right corner of the window. This will retrieve the selected file and display it on screen.

'Save As' function

If you want to make revisions to a document, but retain the original version, you may make use of the 'Save As' function. For example, you may open the file 'essay' and make revisions to it, and then save the revised version as 'essay revised'. The original file ('essay') will be unchanged.

If you go to 'File' and click 'Save As', a pop-up window similar to the one shown above will appear. Enter a file name that is different to the original name, and click the 'Save' button.

Printing your document

As mentioned earlier, at any point after you have created a document, you may print out its contents. To print, click on 'File' and then on 'Print'. A pop-up window will appear. Once you have entered the required parameters (see below), click on the 'Ok' button located at the bottom right corner of the window.

If you do not want to print out the entire document, you may enter a page range that you want to print. For example typing 1-4,6 will print out pages1,2,3,4, and 6.

You may preview the print out before actually printing. This is useful when one wants to check for problems in the layout of the document. To preview, first click on 'File' and then on 'Print Preview'. This will change the screen view to whole page, where you can view the page exactly as it will appear once printed. After you have viewed each individual page, click on the 'Close' button located at the top of the window. After making any required changes, you may once again preview and then print out the document.