How to do formatting in word

Add and format text

To add text, place the cursor where you want and start typing.

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Format text

  1. Select the text you want to format.

    To select a single word, double-click it. To select a line of text, click to the left of it.

  2. Select an option to change the font, font size, font color, or make the text bold, italic, or underline.

    Text formatting options on the Word ribbon

Copy formatting

  1. Select the text with the formatting you want to copy.

  2. Click Format Painter Format Painter, and then select the text you want to copy the formatting to.

    Tip: Double-click Format Painter if you want to copy the formatting in more than one place.

See Also

Create a bulleted or numbered list 

Change the line spacing in Word

Apply styles

Apply themes

Select text

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Learn the basics of formatting a Microsoft Word document


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  • Formatting the Layout
  • |

  • Formatting Text
  • |

  • Adding Pictures, Graphs, & Tables
  • |

  • Using a Formatted Template
  • |

  • Saving in Other Formats
  • |

  • Q&A

Microsoft Word is the world’s most popular word processing app. Depending on what kind of legal, formal, or personal paper you’re writing, each has its own formatting guidelines. Fortunately, Microsoft Word makes it easy to format the layout, text, and other objects in your document. If you’re new to using Microsoft Word, don’t worry. You can be formatting your document like a pro in no time. This wikiHow guide will teach you simple ways to format a Word document on your PC or Mac computer.

Things You Should Know

  • You can find most of the formatting tools you’ll need in the Ribbon menu at the top of your document.
  • If you don’t want to do all the formatting from scratch, try using one of Word’s premade templates.
  • Save your document in different file formats using the Save a Copy or Save As menu.
  1. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 1

    1

    Explore the Word user interface. You can access most of Word’s formatting tools from the Menu Bar or the Ribbon at the top of the window. You can modify which tools are visible using the View menu.

    • The Menu Bar is the area at the top of the screen where you will find File, Edit, View, and other important menu commands.
    • The Ribbon is at the top of your workspace and contains icons, menus, and shortcuts to common tasks.
  2. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 2

    2

    Align your document. Different types of documents call for different text alignments. You can choose whether to align your entire document to the left, right, or at the center on the Home tab by clicking the Alignment buttons in the «Paragraph» section.

    • These are the buttons that look like a small version of a document, with small black lines arranged according to their button’s alignment function.
    • You can also adjust alignment by selecting the text and objects you want to align, right-clicking the selection, and choosing Paragraph. Select your preferred alignment from the Alignment menu under the General header.
    • You can either set the alignment for the whole document or just a selected piece of text.

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  3. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 3

    3

    Set the line spacing of your document. Need to change your document to single or double-space? You can adjust the spacing of your entire document, or for selected text.

    • If you haven’t begun typing or adding content to your Word document, click the Home tab, click the «Line and Paragraph Spacing» icon (a row of lines with vertical arrows to the left of the lines pointing up and down, and select an option.
    • If your document already has text or other content, press Ctrl + A (PC) or Cmd + A (Mac) to select everything in the document, right-click the selection, and choose Paragraph. You can then choose your desired spacing from the «Line Spacing» menu.
    • For a single-spaced document, choose 1.0. For double-spacing, choose 2.0.
    • Many professional documents, like college essays and cover letters, should be double-spaced.
  4. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 4

    4

    Adjust the page orientation. If you need to write the document in a different orientation, click the Layout tab at the top of Word, select Orientation, and choose either Portrait or Landscape.

  5. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 5

    5

    Change the size of the paper. If you need to print the document on a specific paper size, click the Layout tab, click Size, and then select your desired size from the drop-down list.

    • This will change the virtual size of the document you’re writing as well as the actual size of the printout.
  6. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 6

    6

    Adjust the headers and footers. A header contains details that will appear on every page of the paper, such as page numbers, your name, or the document title.

    • To set the header of your document, double-click on the topmost part of the page, and the header field will appear. You can also click the Insert tab and select Header.
    • Footers are just like headers. All text in the footer will appear at the bottom of each page of your document. To set the footer, double-click on the bottommost part of the page, and the footer field will appear. You can also use the Footer button on the Insert tab.
    • You can also format your headers and footers by selecting the View tab and clicking Header and Footer on the list. This action will open the headers and footers on your page and allow you to edit them.
  7. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 7

    7

    Insert page or section breaks with the Breaks menu. Go to the Layout tab in the and click Breaks if you want to start a new page or section in your document. You can choose from a variety of types of breaks, including Page, Column, and Section. This is a very useful tool if you need to format different sections of your document in different ways.[1]

    • For example, you can use section or page breaks to help you format your page numbers so that the numbering restarts with each new section.
  8. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 8

    8

    Adjust the margin size with the Margins tool. Click the Margins button in the Layout tab and select a margin from the pre-defined margin settings listed on the drop-down list.

    • If you want to use your own margin measurements, click Custom Margins at the very bottom of the drop-down list to set your own.
  9. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 9

    9

    Add columns to split your text vertically on the page. If you need to create a newspaper-like document, you can do so by adjusting the format of the document to columns. Click the Layout tab, select the Columns option, and choose the number and alignment of columns from the drop-down list.

    • The Columns button looks like a rectangle with two vertical columns of blue lines on it.
    • If you want to create one, two, or three columns, you can do so from the preset options. If you’d like to create more, you’ll need to choose More Columns from the bottom of the dropdown menu.
    • Note that this column option is different from the columns you get when you insert items like tables on your document.
  10. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 10

    10

    Add bullets and numbers to make lists. Highlight the text that you would like to be numbered or bulleted and click the Numbering or Bullets button on the Home tab of the Ribbon.

    • These buttons can be found side by side on the Ribbon, near the alignment buttons. The Numbering button displays three small lines with numbers to the left of the lines and the Bullets button displays three small lines with bullet points to the left of the lines.
    • There’s also a third button that allows you to create more elaborate multi-level list styles, which is useful for formatting outlines.
  11. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 11

    11

    Experiment with document styles. All documents have standard built-in styles (for example, Normal, Title, Heading 1). The default style for text is Normal. The template that a document is based on (for example, Normal.dotx) determines which styles appear on the Ribbon and on the Styles tab. You can see the current style presets for your document in the Home tab of the Ribbon.

    • Before you apply a style, you can see all of the available styles and preview how they will appear when applied.
    • On the Home tab, click a style to apply it to selected text.
    • Click the Styles Pane button (the arrow pointing down and to the right) to view and select from advanced Style options.
    • By default, Word applies a paragraph style (for example, Heading 1) to the entire paragraph. To apply a paragraph style to part of a paragraph, select only the specific part that you wish to modify.
  12. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 12

    12

    Reveal hidden formatting symbols if you’re having trouble. Word documents often contain hidden code that can cause frustrating problems when you’re trying to modify your formatting. For instance, an invisible extra paragraph mark or section break can create unwanted spaces between paragraphs or lines of text. To see formatting symbols that are normally hidden so you can delete or modify them, you can click the button in the Home tab, or try one of the following:[2]

    • On Windows, open File, select Options, and click Display. Tick the box next to Show all formatting marks.
    • In Word for Mac, open the Word menu, then Preferences, then View. Check the box next to All in the Show Non-Printing Characters section of the View menu.
  13. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 13

    13

    Use the View menu to change your view of the document. The View menu can let you change how your document looks in Word without actually making changes to the format. For example, Print Layout will show approximately what your document will look like when it’s printed out, while Web Layout will display the whole document in one long chunk without any page breaks.

    • The View menu also lets you zoom in and out on your document.
    • You can also change your view with the buttons and zoom slider at the bottom right side of the document pane, or with the View tab in the Ribbon.
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  1. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 14

    1

    Change the font face. On the Home tab, you will a drop-down menu containing a list of fonts to choose from. Use your mouse to select the text you want to change, then choose a font from the list.

  2. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 15

    2

    Change font size and color. Also on the Home tab, you can change the size, color, and highlighting for your font. Select the text you want to format, then choose your options.

    • By default, they will be set to the size and font associated with your document’s current Style settings. For example, if you’re using Word’s default template, the Normal style will use Calibri as the default font and 12 pt. as the default text size.
    • Always consider the formatting guidelines of the document you are writing when choosing the font style and size.
    • The standard font for most college and professional papers is Times New Roman font, text size 12.
  3. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 16

    3

    Make text bold, underlined, or italicized. Besides setting the font style and size, you can also adjust the emphasis of words and lines in your document. Near the font and text size menus, you will see the Bold, Italics, and Underline buttons.

    • Just click the buttons to make your text bold, underlined, or italicized.
    • In this section, you can also find special text formatting options such as Strikethrough, Subscript, and Superscript.
  4. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 17

    4

    Highlight text on the page. If you would like to change the background color behind selected text, similar to using a highlighter on a printed page, click the Text Highlight icon, which is a pen above a colored line.

    • You can also add special text effects with the Text Effects button, which looks like a capital A with a glowing blue border.
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  1. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 18

    1

    Drag an image into your document. This is a quick way to add a picture to your Word document. Simply select an image on your desktop and drag and drop it into the document window. Make sure your image is placed exactly where you want it before you drop it.

    • You can also insert an image by going to the Insert tab, then clicking Pictures. Select one of the options to browse for images on your computer, the web, or Word’s gallery of stock photos.
    • You can also insert graphics or other media (such as video or audio clips) using the Shapes, Icons, or 3D Models, and Media buttons.
  2. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 19

    2

    Enable text wrapping. Text wrapping changes the layout of your document, allowing the text to flow around the image no matter where it is placed. To turn on text wrapping:

    • Right-click (or ctrl-click, on a Mac) on the image and hover over Wrap Text. Select the alignment that best suits your document. You will see a preview as you hover over each option.
    • To change the location of the image in the document, select the image and then hold the Ctrl key. While holding the key, use the arrow keys to move the picture around the document.
    • When you right-click or ctrl-click your image, you’ll also see an option in the context menu to add a caption under your image.
  3. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 20

    3

    Edit your image in the Picture Format tab. Once you insert your image, you can select it to open a new Picture Format tab in the ribbon. From there, you can choose from a variety of tools, such as:

    • Making corrections or adding artistic filters to the image
    • Adding style effects, such as a drop shadow or frame, to the picture
    • Entering alt text
    • Tweaking the position of your image or changing the text-wrap settings
  4. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 21

    4

    Add a graph or chart in the Insert tab. Click the Insert tab on the Ribbon, and then click the Chart option. Choose your preferred type of graph, such as a pie or bar chart, from the dropdown menu.

    • Depending on the type of chart or graph you choose, Word may automatically launch Excel and create a new spreadsheet, where you can enter data for your chart.
  5. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 22

    5

    Modify your graph. When you choose a graph type, a new tab will appear in the Ribbon menu called Chart Design. Navigate to that tab with the chart selected to make changes to the look of your graph or chart, or choose the Edit in Excel button to make changes to the data in your chart.

  6. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 23

    6

    Use the Table tool to insert a table. If you want to add a table to your document, head over to the Insert tab and click the Table button. A menu will pop open where you can either scroll over a grid of squares to select your number of rows and columns, or select an option like Insert Table or Draw Table.

    • Insert Table opens a pop-up menu where you can specify parameters like the number of rows and columns and whether or not the contents of the table autofit your document window.
    • The Draw Table tool allows you to draw the table with your mouse directly in the document.
    • Once you start creating a table, you’ll see several new table editing tools in the Layout tab.
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  1. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 24

    1

    Choose a template from the New Documents pane. Templates are a great way to create a nice-looking document without having to do all the formatting from scratch. To use one, open Word and select New from the side menu to create a new document, or select New from Template from the File menu. Click one of the templates on the screen to select it.[3]

    • If you don’t see a template you like, use the Search bar at the top of the window to find one that fits your needs. For instance, use keywords like “flyer,” “resume,” or “research paper” to find different styles of templates.
  2. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 25

    2

    Click Create to open the template. The template will open as a new document.

  3. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 26

    3

    Select text within the template to modify it. Word templates are simply preformatted documents with text, graphics, and other elements already in place. To add your own text, select text anywhere on the document and type in your own. The new text will have the same format as whatever text you selected and replaced. You can also click on a blank area of the document and start typing to add new text.

    • To select a single word, double-click it. You can select longer pieces of text by clicking and dragging your mouse, or positioning your cursor at the start of the selection and holding down Shift while pressing the Right Arrow key.
    • You can also select and move, delete, or replace other elements in the template, such as images, graphs, or tables.
  4. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 27

    4

    Modify your template with the Styles pane. Templates use styles to create their distinctive looks. If you want to change the look of the template, click the Styles button in the Home tab of the ribbon toolbar. Click the down arrow next to any of the style elements and select Modify Style… to make changes.

    • You can also make any other types of changes you like using the rest of the tools in the ribbon menu or Format menu.
  5. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 28

    5

    Save your modified template as a document. When you’ve made the changes you want to the template, save it the same way you would any other Microsoft Word document.

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  1. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 29

    1

    Click the file menu and select Save a Copy…. If you want to save a document as a file type other than .DOCX, you can do so with the Save a Copy function.

    • If it’s a brand-new document that you haven’t already saved, select Save As… instead.
  2. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 30

    2

    Open the File Format dropdown menu. You’ll see this menu at the bottom of the Save a Copy or Save As window.

  3. Image titled Format a Word Document Step 31

    3

    Select the format you want from the menu. In addition to common formats like .DOC, .DOCX, .TXT and .RTF, you can also save your document as a PDF, an XML file, or a macro-enabled Word file.

    • Check out the list of file formats that are supported in word here.
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Add New Question

  • Question

    What is Microsoft publishing?

    UK_Gamer05

    UK_Gamer05

    Community Answer

    Publisher is a tool for making posters, leaflets, booklet,s etc. It’s for when you need to create something that isn’t a standard document.

  • Question

    How do I move from page one to page two of a Word document?

    UK_Gamer05

    UK_Gamer05

    Community Answer

    In Word 2016, on the insert tab, either select insert new page or page break.

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Tip

  • Unless free-handedly writing your paper, consult the guidelines of your document first before adjusting its format.
  • Besides the header, footer, and page layout formats (which affect the entire document), all the other formatting tools can be applied only on specific parts of the document.

About This Article

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Содержание

  • Выбор шрифта и типа написания текста
  • Выделение заголовка
  • Выравнивание текста
  • Изменение интервалов
  • Добавление маркированных и нумерованных списков
  • Дополнительные операции
  • Вопросы и ответы

Как отформатировать текст в Ворде

Мы уже неоднократно писали об инструментах для работы с текстом в MS Word, о тонкостях его оформления, изменения и редактирования. О каждой из этих функций мы рассказывали в отдельных статьях, вот только для того, чтобы сделать текст более привлекательным, удобным для чтения, понадобится большинство из них, причем, выполненных в правильном порядке.

Урок: Как добавить новый шрифт в Ворд

Именно о том, как правильно выполнить форматирование текста в документе Microsoft Word и пойдет речь в данной статье.

Выбор шрифта и типа написания текста

О том, как изменять шрифты в Ворде мы уже писали. Вероятнее всего, вы изначально набирали текст в понравившемся шрифте, выбрав подходящий размер. Более подробно о том, как работать со шрифтами, вы можете узнать в нашей статье.

Урок: Как изменить шрифт в Word

Группа шрифт в Word

Выбрав подходящий шрифт для основного текста (заголовки и подзаголовки пока что не торопитесь изменять), пройдитесь по всему тексту. Возможно, некоторые есть фрагменты нужно выделить курсивом или полужирным шрифтом, что-то нужно подчеркнуть. Вот пример того, как может выглядеть статья на нашем сайте.

Измененный шрифт в Word

Урок: Как подчеркнуть текст в Ворде

Выделение заголовка

С вероятностью в 99,9% у статьи, которую вы хотите отформатировать, есть заголовок, и, скорее всего, подзаголовки в ней тоже имеются. Конечно же, их нужно отделить от основного текста. Сделать это можно с помощью встроенных стилей Word, а более подробно с тем, как работать с этими инструментами, вы можете ознакомиться в нашей статье.

Урок: Как сделать заголовок в Ворде

Группа стили в Word

Если вы используете последнюю версию MS Word, дополнительные стили для оформления документа вы можете найти во вкладке “Дизайн” в группе с говорящим названием “Форматирование текста”.

Вкладка Дизайн в Word

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Выравнивание текста

По умолчанию текст в документе выравнивается по левому краю. Однако, если это необходимо, вы можете изменить выравнивание всего текста или отдельно выделенного фрагмента так, как вам это необходимо, выбрав один из подходящих вариантов:

  • По левому краю;
  • По центру;
  • По правому краю;
  • По ширине.
  • Урок: Как выровнять текст в Ворде

    Инструкция, представленная на нашем сайте, поможет вам правильно расположить текст на страницах документа. Выделенные красным прямоугольником фрагменты текста на скриншоте и связанные с ними стрелки показывают, какой стиль выравнивания выбран для данных частей документа. Остальное содержимое файла выровнено по стандарту, то есть, по левому краю.

    Выравнивание текста в Word

    Изменение интервалов

    Расстояние между строчками в MS Word по умолчанию составляет 1,15, однако, его всегда можно изменить на большее или меньшее (шаблонное), а также вручную задать любое подходящее значение. Более подробную инструкцию касательно того, как работать с интервалами, изменять и настраивать их вы найдете в нашей статье.

    Урок: Как изменить межстрочный интервал в Ворде

    Междустрочные интервалы в Word

    Помимо интервала между строками, в Word также можно изменить и расстояние между абзацами, причем, как до них, так и после. Опять-таки, вы можете выбрать шаблонное значение, которое вас устраивает, или задать собственное вручную.

    Интервал между абзацами в Word

    Урок: Как изменить интервал между абзацами в Ворде

    Примечание: Если заголовок и подзаголовки, которые имеются в вашем текстовом документе, оформлены с помощью одного из встроенных стилей, интервал определенного размера между ними и следующими абзацами задается автоматически, а зависит он от выбранного стиля оформления.

    Добавление маркированных и нумерованных списков

    Если в вашем документе содержатся списки, незачем нумеровать или уж тем более маркировать их вручную. В Microsoft Word для этих целей предусмотрены специальных инструменты. Они, как и средства для работы с интервалами, расположены в группе “Абзац”, вкладка “Главная”.

    Группа абзац Word

    1. Выделите фрагмент текста, который необходимо преобразовать в маркированный или нумерованный список.

    выделенный текст в Word

    2. Нажмите одну из кнопок (“Маркеры” или “Нумерация”) на панели управления в группе “Абзац”.

    Нумерованный список в Word

    3. Выделенный фрагмент текста преобразуется в красивый маркированный или нумерованный список, в зависимости от того, какой из инструментов вы выбрали.

    Маркированный список в Word

      Совет: Если развернуть меню кнопок, отвечающих за списки (для этого нужно нажать на небольшую стрелочку справа от значка), вы можете увидеть дополнительные стили оформления списков.

    Выбор стиля списка в Word

    Урок: Как в Ворде сделать список в алфавитном порядке

    Дополнительные операции

    В большинстве случаев того, что мы уже описали в данной статье и остальном материале по теме форматирования текста более, чем достаточно для оформления документов на должном уровне. Если же вам этого будет мало, либо же вы просто пожелаете внести какие-то дополнительные изменения, коррективы и т. д. в документ, с большой вероятность, вам будут очень полезны следующие статьи:

    Уроки по работе с Microsoft Word:
    Как сделать отступы
    Как сделать титульный лист
    Как пронумеровать страницы
    Как сделать красную строку
    Как сделать автоматическое содержание
    Табуляция

      Совет: Если во время оформления документа, при выполнении той или иной операции по его форматированию, вы допустили ошибку, ее всегда можно исправить, то есть, отменить. Для этого просто нажмите на закругленную стрелку (направленную влево), расположенную возле кнопки “Сохранить”. Также, для отмены любого действия в Ворде, будь то форматирование текста или любая другая операция, можно использовать комбинацию клавиш “CTRL+Z”.

    Кнопка отмены в Word

    Урок: Горячие клавиши в Word

    На этом мы смело можем закончить. Теперь вы точно знаете, как отформатировать текст в Ворде, сделав его не просто привлекательным, а хорошо читабельным, оформленным в соответствии с выдвигаемыми требованиями.

    Has this ever happened to you? You’re plugging along on a Microsoft Word document only to freeze because you can’t recall how to do a relatively simple formatting function. I think it’s happened to all of us at one point or another and I hope the following will be your go-to resource whenever an instance like that takes place. (Bookmark the link so you can easily find it whenever a brain freeze occurs!)

    My goal is not to cover all Microsoft Word formatting capabilities, just the basic ones that can increase your efficiency greatly. If you need more information or other guidance, look to the ‘HELP’ feature within the software itself.

    How do I capitalize (or uncapitalize) text in microsoft Word?  

    You can change the capitalization, or case, of selected text in a document by clicking a single button on the Home tab called Change Case.

    To change capitalization (or case) in Word, follow these steps:
    1. Select the text for which you want to change the case.
    2. On the Home tab, in the Font group, click the Change Case buttonHow to change capitalization (or case) in Word
    3. Then choose one of the following:
    4. To capitalize the first letter of a sentence and leave all other letters as lowercase, click Sentence case.
    5. To exclude capital letters from your text, click lowercase.
    6. To capitalize all of the letters, click UPPERCASE.
    7. To capitalize the first letter of each word and leave the other letters lowercase, click Capitalize Each Word.
    8. To shift between two case views (for example, to shift between Capitalize Each Word and the opposite, cAPITALIZE eACH wORD), click tOGGLE cASE.
    To apply small capital (Small Caps) to your text:
    • Select the text, and then on the Home tab, in the Font group, click the Font Dialog Box Launcher (the arrow in the lower-right corner). In the Font dialog box, under Effects, select the Small Caps checkboxHow to apply small capital (Small Caps) to your text in Word

    To use a keyboard shortcut to change between lowercase, UPPERCASE, and Capitalize Each Word:

    • Select the text and press SHIFT + F3 until the case you want is applied.

    How do I add text effects in a Word document?

    Besides WordArt and color fills and outlines, you can change the look of your text by adding effects, such as shadows, reflections, or glows.

    To add text effects in Word, do the following:
    1. Select the text to which you want to add an effect.
    2. On the Home tab, in the Font group, click the Text Effect button.How to add text effects in Microsoft Word
    3. Point to the effect that you want (Shadow, Reflection, or Glow) and then when more choices appear click the effect that you want to add.

    NOTE: To remove an effect, click the Clear Formatting button (eraser) on the Home tab in the Font group.

    How do I change or set the default font in microsoft word? 

    The default font for new documents in Word 2016 is Calibri, 11 point but you can change/set it to your preference.

    NOTE: When you set a default font, every new document you open will use the font settings that you selected and set as the default. The default font applies to new documents based on the active template, usually Normal.dotm.

    To change/set the default in Word, follow these steps:
    1. Start with a blank document, or if your document already contains text formatted with the properties that you want to use, select that text.
    2. On the Home tab, click the Font Dialog Box Launcher, and then click the Font tab. How to change/set the default in Word
    3. Select the options that you want to apply to the default font, such as font style and font size. NOTE: If you selected text in step 1, the properties of the selected text are already set in the dialog box. How to change/set the default in Word
    4. Click Set As Default, and set the scope of your changes:
      1. This document only: (if you want your changes to apply to only the current document)
      2. Select all documents based on the Normal template: (if you want your changes to apply to any document based on the Normal template) 
    5. Click OK to apply your changes.

    How do I format paragraphs in word?

    To change spacing between paragraphs in Word, do this:
    1. Click Design, then Paragraph Spacing.How to change spacing between paragraphs in Microsoft Word
    2. Pick which spacing you want (the default is Open) and notice your whole document will preview as you mouse over the different settings.
    3. If you do not like those options, click Custom Paragraph Spacing and change the numbers under Paragraph Spacing. How to change spacing between paragraphs in Microsoft Word

    To change the spacing in only part of a document:

    • Click anywhere in the paragraph you want to change.
    • Go to Page Layout and under Spacing, click the up or down arrows to adjust the distance before or after the paragraph. You can also type a number directlyHow to change spacing between paragraphs in Microsoft Word
    To format a Word document with columns, follow these steps: 
    1. Select the text you want formatted in columns.
    2. On the Layout tab, click Columns.
    3. Click More Columnso format a Word document with columns, follow these steps: 
    4. Click the number of columns that you want.
    5. Optional: To add a vertical line between the columns, select the Line Between checkbox. You can also adjust the column width and spacing.
    6. In the Apply to list, click Whole Document, Selected Text or This Point Forwardo format a Word document with columns, follow these steps: 

    To control how text flows between columns:

    • Insert a column break. For example, to end a paragraph in one column and start a new paragraph at the top of the next column. How to control how text flows between columns in a Word Document

    To Stop Using Columns:

    • On the Layout tab, click Columns and then click One to return to one-column format. NOTE: You may need to insert a section break if you want two-columns in one section of your document and one-column formatting in another section of the document.
    To add leaders between tab stops in Word, do this:

    Leaders are those special characters—dots, dashes, underlines—that create a visual link between tab stops. Most often, you see leaders in a table of contents or an index.

    NOTE: If you want to use tab stops and leaders to format a Table of Contents, consider using Word to create one automatically.

    1. Type the text that you want to appear before the leader.
    2. On the horizontal ruler, set the tab stop where you want (just click on the ruler), and then double-click it.
    3. In the Tabs dialog box under Leader, choose none, dots, dashes, or underline to set a series of characters. How to add leaders between tab stops in Word
    4. Click OK, and then press Tab on your keyboard.
    5. Type the text that you want to appear after the leader.

    If you’d like to dive deeper into the formatting tools of Microsoft Word, and other applications within the Microsoft Office Suite, sign up for a one-day training class at Centriq.

    View Centriq’s Microsoft Office Training Classes

    Get specific information by speaking with a Training Advisor by email, by phone at 913.322.7062 and 314.644.6400, or by completing the following form.

    Once you have written your basic document you can spruce it up with a just few clicks.

    The process for formatting text is:

    1.  Select the text you want to format.

    2.  Apply the formatting.

    Most of the tools that you need to make your document look professional are on the Home ribbon. They are collected together into the Font group.

    Here’s a quick breakdown and each of these will be covered in this post.

    An overview of the text formatting tools in Word

    2. Changing the font

    The font is the name given to the text style — what the text looks like. Many newspapers and magazines use a font like Times New Roman for a formal look but there are other simpler fonts available like Calibri.

    To change the font:

    1.  Select the text you want to apply the font to.

    2.  Single-left-click the Home tab.

    3.  Single-left-click the Font drop-down list then single-left-click the font you want to use.

    Select a new font from the Font dropdown box

    A sample of some popular fonts are provided below.

    Sample Calibri text

    Sample Times New Roman Text

    Sample Oswald Text

    Sample Montserrat text

    3. Changing the font size

    To change the size of your selected text:

    1.  Single-left-click the Home tab

    2.  Click the Font Size drop-down list on the Font group.

    3.  Choose a font size.

    Change the font size using the dropdown list

    You can also click one of the two ‘A‘ icons, situated next to the font size drop down list.

    Increase or decrease the text size

    The first A increases the text size by one standard size.

    The second A decreases the text size by one standard size.

    4. Adding bold, italic or underline for emphasis

    To apply emphasis to a word or phrase, bold and italic are the quickest techniques to use. Here is a comparison:

    • Regular text
    • Bold text
    • Italic text
    • Underlined text
    • Bold italic underlined text

    There are 3 standard icons that you will find in every Microsoft Office program.

    Bold italic underline

    • To bold a selection of text, click the B icon, or press Ctrl B on the keyboard..
    • To italicise a selection of text, click the I icon, or press Ctrl I on the keyboard..
    • To underline a selection of text, click the U icon, or press Ctrl U on the keyboard..

    To change the underline style:

    1.  Click the drop-down arrow next to the U icon.

    2.  Select the underline type that you want – single, double, thick, dotted, dashed etc.

    Change the underline type and underline colour

    To change the underline colour:

    3.  Click Underline Color (at the bottom of the menu).

    4.  Choose a colour from the palette.

    5. Changing the font colour

    To change the colour of your text

    1.  First, select the text that you want to change the colour for.

    2.  Single-left-click the Home tab.

    3.  Single-left-click the Font drop-down list in the Font group.

    4.  Single-left-click a colour from the palette.

    Change the colour of the text in Word

    Paragraph formatting tools in Microsoft Word 

    6. Striking through the text

    Strikethrough puts a line through your text like this.

    This is an example of text that has been struck through.

    You can use this when you need to keep the text for historical reasons but clearly mark it as out of date, obsolete, no longer stocked of one of many other reasons.

    To apply strikethrough to your text:

    1.  Select the text.

    2.  Single-left-click the Home tab.

    3.  Single-left-click the Strikethrough icon in the Font group.

    Strikethrough tool in Microsodt Word

    7. Superscripting or subscripting text

    Superscripted text is little text that sits above the baseline, e.g.  360o,  42  or  16th.

    Subscripted text is little text that sits below the baseline, e.g. H2O,  CO2,  H2SO4.

    Superscript and subscript icons

    To apply superscript:

    1.  Select the text.

    2.  Single-left-click the Home tab.

    3.  Single-left-click the Superscript icon in the Font group.

    4.  The keyboard short cut is Ctrl Shift +.

    To apply subscript:

    1.  Select the text.

    2.  Single-left-click the Home tab.

    3.  Single-left-click the Subscript icon in the Font group.

    4.  The keyboard short cut is Ctrl Shift =.

    8. Changing the case

    UPPER CASE WORDS stand out on a page. Some people describe it as SHOUTING. To change the case of your text:

    1.  Single-left-click the Home tab.

    2.  Click the Aa icon in the  Font group.

    3.  Choose from Sentence case, lower case, UPPER CASE, Capitalise Each Word and tOGGLE cASE

    Change the case of text in Word

    Pressing Shift F3 cycles through the UPPERCASE, lowercase and Capitalise Each Word options. The other two options are not included in the cycle.

    Here are what the different case options mean:

    Sentence Case

    Capitalise the first letter of the first word in the sentence.

    lowercase

    Make all the selected text lower case (i.e. un-capitalise everything).

    UPPERCASE

    CAPITALISE all selected text.

    Capitalise Each Word

    Capitalise the first letter of EVERY word.

    tOGGLE cASE

    Convert UPPER CASE letters to lower case and convert lower case letters to UPPER CASE.

    The Toggle Case feature seems like an odd one and under normal circumstances you would never use it.

    However, back in the day (gee, I sound old) guys like me who look at their keyboard as they type and only look up once every 30 minutes used to curse loudly when we found our CAPS LOCK had been on the whole time!

    You may still stumble across an old legacy document where the case is all screwed up. If you do, you canquickly fix it with Toggle Case.

    Fast forward to today.

    Microsoft Word detects when the CAPS LOCK is on. After typing something in reverse case, as soon as you press space or ENTER, Word corrects the incorrect case and turns the CAPS LOCK off. Whatever you type next is in correct case.

    10. Highlighting text

    Just as you would take a highlighter pen to highlight certain portions of text in a book or report, you can add highlight to any section of text in Microsoft Word. Highlighting attracts attention.

    Perhaps you have prepared a document for somebody and need to point out the important sections.

    Perhaps you are reviewing somebody else’s work (or even your own) and want to mark sections to revisit later.

    There are 2 ways to use the highlighter tool.

    Method 1 (for a one-off highlight):

    1.  Select the text you want to highlight.

    2.  Single-left-click the Home tab.

    3.  Click the ab Highlight icon in the Font group (to use default yellow).

    4.  If you want to choose your own highlight colour, click the drop-down arrow on the icon, then choose one of the highlight colours in the palette. Stick with the lighter colours.

    Highlight text in Word

    Method 2 (for multiple highlights)

    1.  Single-left-click the Home tab.

    2.  Double-left-click the ab Highlight icon in the Font group.

    3.  The regular mouse pointer will change to a highlighter icon.

    4.  Select the first portion of text that you wish to highlight. The highlight is added but the highlighter tool is still active.

    5.  Select as many other portions of text as you want.

    6.  When you are done, press Escape or single-left-click the  the ab Highlight icon again

    An exaple of highlighted text in Word

    Reset highlighted text

    1.  Select the highlighted text.

    2.  Single-left-click the Home tab.

    3.  Click the drop-down arrow on the ab Highlight icon in the Font group and choose No Color.

    11. Creating a pretty title or heading

    WordArt is a feature that has been around for many years. The conventional way to create WordArt is to choose the tools from the Insert ribbon, choose a style, type some text and then play with the settings.

    In Word, there is a second tool that lets you select some existing text and apply WordArt Styling to it.

    Here’s the process:

    • Select your text (normally a title or heading).
    • Click the blue A icon (called Text Effects and Typography). 
    • Select one of the thumbnail images from the gallery to apply the effect to your text.
    • You can switch the style at any time.

    The Text Effects and Typography (WordArt) tool in Word

    • Using the options underneath, you can also change the outline (colour, thickness and style), shadows, reflection and glow settings. You don’t have to stick with the default settings in the main gallery.

    Customise the Text Effects and Typography (WordArt) settings in Word

    Here are some samples of text effects and typography:

    Some example of Text Effects and Typography (WordArt) in Word

    12. Key Takeaways

    • The most commonly used text formatting tools in Word are found on the Home ribbon in the Font group.
    • To access even more text formatting tools in Word, click the launcher icon in the bottom-right corner of the Font group (on the Home ribbon). This displays the Font dialog which not only displays the tools found on the ribbon but also additional tools.
    • Common text formatting includes the font, font size, font colour, empasis tools like bold, italic and underline, strikethrough, superscript, subscript, WordArt and the highlighter tool.

    13. what next?

    I hope you found plenty of value in this post. I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway in the comments below together with any questions you may have.

    Have a fantastic day.

    Jason Morrell blog signature

    About Jason Morrell

    About the author

    Jason Morrell

    Jason loves to simplify the hard stuff, cut the fluff and share what actually works. Things that make a difference. Things that slash hours from your daily work tasks. He runs a software training business in Queensland, Australia, lives on the Gold Coast with his wife and 4 kids and often talks about himself in the third person!

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    Whether you’re a one-person business operating out of your kitchen, or a billion-dollar company on Wall Street, the expectation is the same. Your business documents must be the paragon of professionalism and competence.

    Finished business document using basic text formatting in WordFinished business document using basic text formatting in WordFinished business document using basic text formatting in Word

    Here’s a finished, formatted business document that uses basic text formatting in Word.

    This expectation shouldn’t be a cause for worry. With applications like Microsoft Word you can create professional-looking documents with your own computer. Through the years, Word has become more powerful, yet more intuitive. Anyone with basic computer skills can use Word to create well-designed documents. 

    In this article, you’ll learn how to format text in Word to make your business documents easier to read and understand. You’ll also pick up tips on how to make sure your formatting doesn’t look amateurish—even if you’re getting started with Word.  

    Formatting Text in Word

    Formatting text in Microsoft Word refers to controlling how text appears in your document. This includes the size, color, and font of the text. It also covers text alignment, spacing, and letter case.  

    Microsoft Word styles make it easy to change and apply styles throughout a document. A “style” is a set of formatting settings applied to a specific kind of text

    For example, you can set up a style for headings that’s bold, 14 points, aligned left, and uses the Tahoma font. This means all text in your document with the heading style will be formatted the same way. You don’t have to manually format each heading in your document.

    In this post, you’ll see how to use MS Word styles.

    How to Format Text in Word

    To show you how to format text in Word, we’ll walk through formatting a completely unformatted business document file. 

    This is what my marketing report looks like without any formatting in Word:

    Unformatted document - Microsoft Word StylesUnformatted document - Microsoft Word StylesUnformatted document - Microsoft Word Styles

    Notice how the unformatted text looks in Word. It’s not very engaging or interesting.

    As you can see, it’s plain and boring. Nobody would be inspired to read it, let alone act on the findings of the report!

    Some basic Word text formatting can fix that. 

    1. How to Apply Typographic Emphasis

    1. For starters, let’s use typographic emphasis (bold, italic, underline) to make the report title stand out.

    To do this, select the text you want to emphasize. Click on the bold button on the Microsoft Word ribbon. 

    Typographic Emphasis in Microsoft WordTypographic Emphasis in Microsoft WordTypographic Emphasis in Microsoft Word

    Applying bold to Word text helps it to stand out.

    Note that the ribbon also has the buttons to apply italic, underline, strikethrough, and other formatting effects for text. Follow the same steps to apply those effects.

    2. Now, let’s change the font, font size, and color of the title.

    Again, select the text. Click the drop-down arrow on the font section of the ribbon, then select the font you want to apply. In this case, I’m using Arial bold.

    Change Font in WordChange Font in WordChange Font in Word

    You can also change the font when you format text in Word.

    3. To change the font size, highlight the text. Click the drop-down arrow on the font size indicator on the ribbon. Click on the font size of your choice.

    Word Formatting - Change Font SizeWord Formatting - Change Font SizeWord Formatting - Change Font Size

    Use basic formatting for Word to change the size of the text.

    Or, after highlighting the text, you can type the font size into the font size indicator on the ribbon. This is especially useful when the font size you want isn’t available in the font size selector.

    Word Formatting - Type New Font SizeWord Formatting - Type New Font SizeWord Formatting - Type New Font Size

    The highlighted text is the text we’ve been formatting. Use the font size indicator to change the text size.

    4. You can also use the Increase Font Size or Decrease Font Size buttons on the ribbon to quickly change the font size.

    Word - Font Size ShortcutsWord - Font Size ShortcutsWord - Font Size Shortcuts

    Another way to change the Word style is using the Increase Font Size or Decrease Font Size buttons.

    5. We can easily change the font color as well.

    Highlight the text, then click the down arrow beside the Font Color selector. Click on the color of your choice.

    Change Font Color in WordChange Font Color in WordChange Font Color in Word

    You can also change the text color in Microsoft Word.

    Choose More Colors… if you wish to apply a custom color.

    2. How to Change Capitalization in Word

    Microsoft Word also allows you to easily and quickly change the capitalization of your text. For example, if we want to make the title all uppercase, we don’t have to retype it.

    Highlight the title, then click the Change Case button on the ribbon.

    Window Title CUsersLaura SpencerDownloadschange-case-shortcutjpeg  Content CUsersLaura SpencerDownloadschange-case-shortcutjpeg  The app didnt start in the required time   OKWindow Title CUsersLaura SpencerDownloadschange-case-shortcutjpeg  Content CUsersLaura SpencerDownloadschange-case-shortcutjpeg  The app didnt start in the required time   OKWindow Title CUsersLaura SpencerDownloadschange-case-shortcutjpeg  Content CUsersLaura SpencerDownloadschange-case-shortcutjpeg  The app didnt start in the required time   OK

    The Change Case button provides a shortcut for formatting text in Word.

    Or, highlight the text, go to Format > Change Case…

    Word - How to Change CaseWord - How to Change CaseWord - How to Change Case

    You can also change the case in Word by using the menu option.

    … then click on the radio button for the case you want to apply. Click OK.

    Word - Format Change Case to UppercaseWord - Format Change Case to UppercaseWord - Format Change Case to Uppercase

    The title is an important part of your document. So, how you format it is important.

    Now the title is looking much better. It’s the most prominent part of the document and commands the reader’s attention. However, we can still improve its readability.

    3. How to Format Paragraphs

    One way to make your document easier to read is by increasing white space around lines and paragraphs. 

    1. To adjust the line spacing, select the text. Click on the arrow on the Line and Paragraph Spacing button. Select the line spacing you wish to apply.

    Format Line Spacing in WordFormat Line Spacing in WordFormat Line Spacing in Word

    One MS Word format essential is knowing how to change the spading between lines and paragraphs.

    2. To change the spacing around a paragraph, select the paragraph. Click on the arrow on the Line and Paragraph Spacing button > Line Spacing Options…. Then, type the amount of spacing before and after the paragraph. (Tip: You can adjust other settings from this dialog box as well.)

    For the title, I’ll add a generous amount of space after the paragraph, to set it apart from the rest of the document.

    Format Paragraph Spacing in WordFormat Paragraph Spacing in WordFormat Paragraph Spacing in Word

    A good way to set the title apart from the text is to increase the line spacing after it.

    3. Finally, let’s change the alignment of the title. Select the text, click on either the Align Left, Center Text, Align Right, or Justify button on the ribbon. Since this is a title, let’s use Center Text.

    Format Text Alignment in WordFormat Text Alignment in WordFormat Text Alignment in Word

    You can also change the text alignment on the page in Word.

    These simple formatting effects make the title stand out from the rest of the document.

    4. How to Work With MS Word Styles

    As much as Word makes it easy to format text, if you need to apply formatting effects on the entire document, the process becomes tedious.

    Word solves that through styles. MS Word Styles allow you to define a set of formatting commands and apply them automatically to every item in the document with that style. 

    Let’s look at a specific example:

    1. How to Modify a Paragraph Style

    Let’s follow the steps above to define a style for the main headings of the report with the following characteristics:

    • Font: Arial
    • Size: 14 points
    • Color: Blue-grey 
    • Typographic Emphasis: Bold
    • Case: Capitalize each word
    • Alignment: Left
    • Line spacing: Single 
    • Paragraph spacing: 6 pts before paragraph, 0 pts after paragraph

    It would look like this:

    Paragraph Styles in WordParagraph Styles in WordParagraph Styles in Word

    Notice the various ways I’ve change the word style in this document.

    One way to apply this exact formatting on every main heading is to modify the existing Heading 1 style in our document. Place your cursor anywhere in the main heading. Go to Styles, right-click on Heading 1, then choose Update Heading 1 to Match Selection.

    Modify a Style in WordModify a Style in WordModify a Style in Word

    Use Microsoft Word styles to change heading format quickly.

    You can also modify any style by going to Format > Style…. The Style dialog box opens. 

    Word - How to Modify a Paragraph StyleWord - How to Modify a Paragraph StyleWord - How to Modify a Paragraph Style

    You can also change Word style through the menu.

    Select the style you want to modify from the Style list. This gives you a preview of the paragraph and character, as well as a description of the current style settings of the selected style.

    Click Modify…. The Modify Style dialog box pops up.

    How to Modify a Paragraph Style in WordHow to Modify a Paragraph Style in WordHow to Modify a Paragraph Style in Word

    Here you see the various ways to change text format using the Word style tags.

    Change the text and paragraph format settings. You can control the font, font size, font color, typographic emphasis, alignment, and spacing. When you’re done, click OK.

    2. How to Apply a Paragraph Style

    Now, go to each main heading in the document and apply the Heading 1 style to it. Place the cursor on a heading, go to Styles > Heading 1.

    Apply a Paragraph Style in WordApply a Paragraph Style in WordApply a Paragraph Style in Word

    Microsoft Word styles make changing a text quick and easy.

    The selected text instantly takes on the formatting of Heading 1. 

    Formatted Headings in WordFormatted Headings in WordFormatted Headings in Word

    Notice how the formatting has changed.

    3. How to Create a List Paragraph Style

    You can also create a new paragraph style from scratch, instead of modifying an existing one. To demonstrate, let’s create a list-type paragraph style.

    1. Go to Format > Style…. Fill in the Properties section of the dialog box that opens. For Style based on, you may wish to use one of the pre-existing list styles as a starting point.

    Create New Paragraph Style in WordCreate New Paragraph Style in WordCreate New Paragraph Style in Word

    You can also create new styles to format text in Word.

    2. Next, change the formatting options. The box below gives you a preview of what the list paragraph would look like with those settings. There’s also a summary of the formatting properties you’ve specified.

    Formatting Styles in WordFormatting Styles in WordFormatting Styles in Word

    Here’s a preview of a new style I’m creating.

    You also have the option to do the following for this style:

    • Add to template. Adds the style you’re creating to the document template.
    • Add to Quick Style list. Shows the new style to the Quick Style list, making it quickly accessible from the ribbon.
    • Automatically update. Automatically updates the style when you manually format a paragraph with that style. 

    When you’re happy with the settings you’ve made, click OK. Notice how the new Bullet style you created is now included in the Quick Style popup.

    Quick Style Microsoft WordQuick Style Microsoft WordQuick Style Microsoft Word

    Any styles you create are added to the Quick Style popup.

    Once the bullet style is applied, our list now looks like this:

    Format Bullet List in WordFormat Bullet List in WordFormat Bullet List in Word

    The new style has created a bulleted list format.

    4. How to Use Character Styles in Microsoft Word

    You can also define a style to an individual word or a block of text, rather than a paragraph. In the next example, I’d like to apply a character style for every URL in the document.

    1. Select the text. Then, go to Format > Styles…. From the Style dialog, click New…. The Create New Style from Formatting dialog opens. 

    Word - New Style DialogWord - New Style DialogWord - New Style Dialog

    You can create unique MS Word styles for a section of text called Character styles.

    2. Give the new character style a name. For Style type, choose Character. Then, make the formatting settings you want to apply to this character. Note that you can’t change alignment and spacing for a character style. The preview box shows you a sneak peek of the text based on the settings you specified.

    New Character Style - WordNew Character Style - WordNew Character Style - Word

    Name your character style.

    3. When you’re done, click OK.

    New Character Style Applied - WordNew Character Style Applied - WordNew Character Style Applied - Word

    To apply the character style, place your cursor in a word or select a set of words. Go to Format > Style…. Find the character style you wish to apply. Click Apply.

    Apply New Character Style - WordApply New Character Style - WordApply New Character Style - Word

    When you’re ready, apply the new character style to the selected text.

    Tip: To quickly find the MS Word styles you’ve created, for List, choose User-defined styles.

    5. How to Use Table Styles in Word

    We can also define a table style to provide a consistent look to the tables in our document. 

    1. Create the table. Go to Insert > Table…, then indicate the number of columns and rows you need in your table (you can always add or remove these later). Click OK.

    Create a Table in WordCreate a Table in WordCreate a Table in Word

    Tables are a great way to format text in Word and add a visual element to the document.

    2. Add your text to the table. If necessary, click and drag any of the borderlines to adjust the width or a column, or the height of a row.

    3. To apply a table style, click anywhere on the table, then go to Table Design. The Table Design ribbon appears.

    Table Design - Microsoft WordTable Design - Microsoft WordTable Design - Microsoft Word

    You can use some pre-defined table Microsoft Word table styles to format your table.

    4. Click on the down-arrow for table styles to display the table styles gallery. 

    Microsoft Word Table StylesMicrosoft Word Table StylesMicrosoft Word Table Styles

    As you can see, there are quite a few MS Word table styles to choose from.

    5. Click on any style to apply it to your table.

    Apply Table Styles in WordApply Table Styles in WordApply Table Styles in Word

    Here’s a table with a pre-defined MS Word table style applied.

    Expand the table styles gallery again to change the existing style, clear the style you applied, or create your own table style.

    Discover Great Microsoft Word Templates for 2020

    Some experts say it’s a good idea to set up your formatting styles in Word first before typing or copying the text into the document. One quick way to do this is by starting with a Microsoft Word template. Templates come pre-formatted by professional designers to look current and impressive.

    You can find thousands of Word templates for all kinds of business documents in Envato Elements. 

    Microsoft Word Templates - Envato ElementsMicrosoft Word Templates - Envato ElementsMicrosoft Word Templates - Envato Elements

    Print templates for Microsoft Word have been designed and formatted by professional designers.

    For a small monthly subscription fee, you get unlimited downloads of all the templates at Elements. You also have unlimited access to everything else in the Elements catalog: 

    • presentation templates
    • web templates
    • fonts
    • photos
    • graphics
    • other digital assets 

    Use as many of these assets as you want, as often as you want, without paying more. This makes Elements a terrific source for all the creative assets you need to create remarkable marketing and communication materials.

    You can also pay as you go at GraphicRiver. This marketplace also offers a huge library of templates for Microsoft Word and other digital assets for all your marketing and communication needs. The difference is, you only pay each time you use an item. This can be a very economical option.

    Below are some of the best print templates for Word available on Envato Elements and GraphicRiver:

    After downloading any of these Microsoft Word templates, you can apply what you’ve learned about formatting text in Word. This way, you can personalize the template so that it aligns with your visual branding and preferences. You now know how to take any Word template and make it your own!

    5 Top FAQs on Formatting Text in Microsoft Word

    Below are some of the questions that come up as people format text in Word.

    1. How Do You Make a Word Document Easier for the Reader to Scan?

    Your primary goal when formatting text in Word is to make it easy for people to scan, read, and understand the content of the document. The different formatting options in Word help you achieve this:

    • Use typographic emphasis like bold, italics, and underline to emphasize specific text and add variety to your document. 
    • Break up the document into sections with headings and sub-headings to help the reader scan and navigate their way through it.
    • Use either bulleted or numbered lists where appropriate to shorten paragraphs and make lists easier to comprehend.
    • Set up line and paragraph spacing so that there’s plenty of white spaces throughout the document.

    2. How Many Fonts Should I Use in a Word Document? 

    It’s easy—and fun—to apply different fonts in Word. Too easy, in fact, that you could end up overwhelming your reader and making your document look like someone played with the formatting. 

    Avoid this by sticking to a maximum of two different fonts in a single document. For instance, you could choose a sans serif font for your title and headings, and a serif font for all other text. You could even use one font for the entire document, relying on typographical emphasis and color to distinguish different types of text from each other.

    3. Why Should I Use Microsoft Word Text Styles?

    Use Microsoft Word text styles because they let you apply formatting settings globally throughout your document. This is important in long documents, where formatting each line or paragraph is too onerous. With text styles, you only need to determine what style you want for each piece of text. Word will do the rest.

    4. How Can I Make My Document Formatting Consistent?

    Using MS Word styles, as you’ve learned in this article, is an easy way to make your document formatting consistent. You decide and set how you want each type of text to be formatted. Then you can apply those styles consistently through your entire document.

    Beyond Microsoft Word styles, also make sure that the recurring parts of your document are consistent as well. These include your headers and footers, for example. You must also be consistent with the placement of images: Do they have borders? Are they always within the document’s margins or do they bleed to the edge of the page?

    When you use a Word template, these design decisions are already made for you. So, if you want a consistent design without all the hard work, then starting with a template for Word is the way to go.

    5. How do You Copy text into Word without also copying junk code?

    When you copy text from one application and paste it into Word, you run the risk of also copying the underlying formatting code for it. This code or set of formatting commands is invisible so you won’t know you’re copying it inadvertently. This can mess up your formatting in Word. Soon, you’ll be pulling your hair wondering why Word won’t “follow” your commands.

    To avoid this grief, make sure you strip all formatting when you copy and paste the text into Word. Here’s how: Copy the text. In Word, click Edit > Paste and Match Style.

    Strip Formatting When Pasting Text in WordStrip Formatting When Pasting Text in WordStrip Formatting When Pasting Text in Word

    That’s all there is to it!

    Using Microsoft Word, Style Your Business Document for Maximum Impact

    You’ve learned how to format a document in Word to make it easier to scan and read. Good formatting is also essential to make sure the final document represents you and your business in a favorable light.

    You’ve seen how doable formatting is, even if you’re starting from scratch with completely unformatted text. You’ve also discovered that you can rely on professional designers to make the formatting decisions for you by starting with a template for Word.

    For unlimited downloads of print templates for Word at a fixed subscription fee, look to Envato Elements. Here, you can also have your fill of fonts, icons, photos, and other design assets you’ll need without having to pay more. Or, get your premium Word templates from GraphicRiver on a pay-per-use basis. You also get a wide range of choices without having to commit to a subscription.

    With Microsoft Word styles and formatting tools, there’s no more excuse to have poorly designed business documents. Make your next business document one you’ll be proud of.

    Word Formatting 3

    In this lesson, we’re going to delve into tables, which are a huge part of laying out well formatted documents. After we discuss tables, we’ll cover some other controls that will help round out your formatting prowess, including adding links, using symbols, creating math equations, and quite a bit more!

    By now, you should be very well acquainted with getting your documents up to a level where you can adjust the tabbing and indenting, paragraph alignments, line spacing, and create quick, customized lists. If you need a refresher of what we’ve covered so far, you should check out Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 so you can bring yourself up to speed.

    One of the most common formatting elements you will use in Microsoft Word are tables, so much so that it’s probably a surprise we aren’t covering them until now!

    Tables are a tried-and-true method of presenting data in rows and columns. They are very simple to insert and manipulate in Word. When you click on the “Tables” button on the “Insert” tab, you’re given several options.

    Here you see a grid that allows you to quickly spec out a table but you can also insert, draw, or pick from some predefined “Quick Tables”.

    The fast way is to simply trace out the table you want using the provided grid. In the screenshot, you see we trace out a 6 x 5 table, which is previewed in the document.

    With your table now placed into your document, you can set out about formatting it, which we’ll cover shortly.

    Insert Table

    Secondly, you can “Insert Table,” which means you just input the number of columns and rows and how you want the column to “AutoFit.” If you choose fixed column width, you can select “auto” or you can assign a size. Alternatively, you can AutoFit columns to fit the contents, or you can have the content AutoFit to the window.

    Finally, if you intend to reproduce the table or you use that size frequently, you can have the “Insert Table” dialog remember those dimensions for new tables.

    Draw Table

    When you draw a table, the cursor is changed to a pencil and you can “draw” out the column and rows. In this way you can size the table to your liking.

    Once you draw your first cell, you can then draw further cells, and create the table that is more based on how you want it to look than necessarily what it requires.

    Convert Text to Table

    Let’s imagine you have a bunch of text and numbers, and you realize that it would be easier to read if it were in neat columns and rows. Not to fear, text to table will allow you to quickly and easily convert all that data into a table that you can then format to your heart’s content.

    So how does this work? Simply, when you want to convert a section of your document to a table, you select the section using your mouse pointer and then select “Convert Text to Table.” The resulting dialog box allows you to choose how many columns you want.

    The number of rows will be automatically determined by line breaks, so for example, if you have a block of text divided with flour line breaks, your table will have four rows.

    Columns are determined by commas, tabs, paragraph breaks, or another symbol you can manually assign.

    Quick Tables

    Quick tables are fairly easy to reason out. Let’s say you want to insert a quick calendar, matrix, or a tabular list. You can also create your own table and save it to the list for later, quick use. Simply select the table you want to save, and select “Save Selection to Quick Tables Gallery.”

    There’s not a whole lot to master here. Keep in mind, when you insert a quick table, you can then edit and format as you would any table that you created from scratch. And, on that note, let’s actually dive into all that formatting information we’ve been alluding to throughout this lesson.

    Formatting Tables

    On the Ribbon, the “Table Tools” tabs are contextual tabs that appears whenever you create or click on a table. The functions found here give you an easier visual way of quickly manipulating tables where you might otherwise use right-click options.

    The “Table Tools” are divided into two tabs. “Layout” (pictured above), which lets you add and remove columns, adjust height and width, and text alignment. Many of these controls can be accessed directly from the right-click context menu, but it’s nice to have all your options arrayed before you.

    Note though, the context menu you get, will depend on where you click. If you click on the little table control in the upper-left corner:

    You get a larger variety of tools at your disposal. Note also, you can delete a table easily this way:

    Back to the Ribbon, on the far right side of the “Layout” tab, you’ll find some handy controls for controlling your “Alignment” and “Data.”

    So, for example, if you want your headers to be perfectly centered within their cells, while having your data cells left-justified, you’d simply select the cells to affected and click the alignment you desire.

    You can also “Sort” cell data, insert formulas, convert your table to plain text, and repeat header rows. The last option is useful if you have a table that spans multiple pages, you can designate “header rows,” which will persist as you scroll through the table. This is useful for keep track of what column is what in long tables.

    The “Design” tab by contrast is all about how your table(s) appear.

    Note when you click on the scrollbar in “Table Styles” a larger menu appears granting you greater built-in options.

    At the bottom of this menu, you can modify your table’s style if the current selection of tables doesn’t suit you. When you make changes, they will be previewed so you can see them before you commit.

    While formatting or modifying a table, if the built-in selections aren’t close to what you want, you may just want to start from scratch. In this case, you can you the “New Style” dialog, which will be allow you to build a new table style based on current table styles.

    There’s little difference to this dialog and the modify dialog except that modifying is based off an existing table design.

    In the end, formatting your tables is going to come down to what kind of data you’re presenting and personal preference. We suggest that if you want to fully master tables, you create a blank document and mess around to your heart’s content. We are certain you’ll be creating and formatting eye-catching data-sets in less than it takes to say “columns and rows!”

    Excel Spreadsheet

    You can actually create an Excel spreadsheet table in Word. This will act and function just like a regular Excel spreadsheet. So you can copy and paste existing spreadsheet values in, or make a new one with Excel formulas and functions.

    Note, if you want to learn more about Excel formulas and functions, check out our How-to Geek School series on Excel Formulas and Functions!

    Once you have inserted or filled in the spreadsheet with the values, it will appear similar to a table though it is technically known as a “workbook object.”

    With your data inserted and table created, you can right-click on it and do some basic formatting like changing the borders and adjusting the shading, but it won’t be the same as formatting a traditional Word table.

    Other Formatting Controls

    On the right half of the Insert tab are some further formatting controls you should be aware of. Some of these may be of limited daily value to you, but we think it’s important to know about them in case you ever have need for them.

    Links

    Hyperlinks, bookmarks, and cross-references are all classified as “Links” on the “Insert” toolbar.

    Hyperlinks allow you to link pieces of text to locations on your computer, network, or the Internet. You can also select your text, right-click and choose “Hyperlink” from the context menu. In the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog, paste or type your address in the provided space.

    It doesn’t have to be an Internet URL either, it can simply refer to a location on your computer or another location in your document. Mostly though, you will probably want to refer to an Internet location, such as the best place on earth to get your geek fix!

    Header, Footer, and Page Number

    Headers and footers are useful for repeating the same piece of information at the top and/or bottom of each page, such as if you want to have the title of your book at the top of each page, or similarly, page numbers.

    When you click on either the header or the footer button, you can choose from an assorted of predefined styles.

    When you choose a style, the header or footer will open and the Ribbon will change to present you with special formatting options.

    So you can type in your header or footer, and then decide where you want to position it, whether it’s the same across each page, and so on.

    In the same vein, when you add page numbers, you can place it anywhere within a header or footer, picking from a pre-defined list of numbering styles.

    If you want to “Format Page Numbers,” you’ll be presented with dialog box, which will allow you to change the number format, add chapter numbers, and dictate from where it starts.

    Overall, the header and footer controls are quite easy to grasp and master. So, if you have an instructor who’s a bit old-fashioned and demands you include them in your paper, or you want the title of your book, or your name on every page, or simple page numbers – you should have no problem adding and manipulating them.

    Equations

    We’re not going to spend a great deal of time explaining the “Equation” functions in Word 2013. We’re guessing the vast majority of people using Word, will never have occasion to insert an equation into their documents.

    That said, let’s explain the function exists in the first place. In Word, you can write a simple like “A=πr2” because you can insert the symbol for pi and then use superscript font to show radius squared.

    However, if you want to write out anything more complicated than that, you’ll need to insert it using the “Equation” function. You can either select a pre-built equation from the dropdown list:

    Alternatively, you can build your own by simply placing the cursor at your desired insertion point and clicking the “Equation” button, which will place something akin to an equation text box into your document.

    Note, the Ribbon immediately changes when you insert an equation to the “Equation Tools,” which offers a wide array of math symbols and operators, so you don’t have to try to figure out how to do it on your own.

    So, if you’re a bit of a math geek or you’re taking a class and need to write a paper on a mathematical theory, you can present it ϥώwith all the necessary equations to show your work.

    Symbols

    Symbols are characters that aren’t immediately found on your everyday, run-of-the-mill keyboard. For things like the copyright symbol and British Pounds, you need to insert the symbol using the “Symbols” function on the “Insert” tab.

    Most recent and commonly-used symbols are displayed first, such as for foreign currencies (€, ₤, ¥), the aforementioned copyright symbol (©), and others. To access symbols beyond what is immediately displayed, click “More Symbols” at the bottom of the menu.

    For example, if you want to write “façade” and using the cedilla (ç), you’d pick it from the “Latin” subset. Similarly, something like café with its acute accent, can be added using the “Symbol” dialog box.

    Note that you can also insert foreign letters using shortcut keys. You can see which shortcut key is used for each symbol at the bottom of the “Symbol” dialog box.

    If you want to change the shortcut (keep in mind, other symbols or functions might be mapped to other shortcuts), you can click the “Shortcut Key” button and change it to something else.

    Note, that in the above instance, you’re not going to type “CTRL + ‘ + , + E” rather it’s “CTRL + ‘ + E.” The comma is simply there to tell you must first hold down the “CTRL” button, then press the apostrophe and “e” to insert an “é” in your document. Similarly, hold down “CTRL” plus comma and “c” to insert a “ç” and so on.

    Coming up Next…

    And so ends Lesson 3. We hope you enjoyed it and learned a thing or two. Knowing how to lay out tables in Word will give you a great deal of control over how you present data. Rather than simply having information in sentences or making lists, you can arrange it in neat rows and tables complete with customized colors and borders. The only limit is your creativity!

    Moreover, if you’re going for a more published look and feel to your document, adding headers, footer, and page numbers is a great skill to have. Meanwhile, placing links in your documents will help readers navigate and read up on things you might otherwise have to explain with footnotes and such.

    Tomorrow, in Lesson 4, we will dive into adding illustrations (such as pictures and shapes) to your documents, allowing you to create eye-popping layouts with tons of variety. You can even embed video for a true multimedia experience. We’ll end with how to add and use multiple languages, so you don’t want to miss out!

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    Formatting Text in Word

    One way to change the appearance of text in a document is by changing its font type. A font is a set of letters, numbers, and punctuation symbols designed around a shared appearance. A font will have variations for size and styles, such as bold and italics.

    Change the Font

    Changing a font itself will have the greatest effect on the appearance of text.

    1. Select the text you want to change.
    2. Click the Font list arrow on the Home tab.
    3. You can also click the Font list arrow on the Mini Toolbar that appears when text is selected.

    4. Select a new font from the list.
    5. Change the Font

    The text is now set in the selected font.

    When changing fonts, be sure to choose the right font for the tone of your document. Don’t use casual script fonts in a professional document, and also avoid using too many fonts at once.

    Font Type Examples Description
    Serif Times New Roman, Garamond, Cambria, Georgia, Palatino Serifs are small details at the ends of some letter strokes, meant to improve legibility. Suitable for both header and body text.
    Sans Serif Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Verdana, Trebuchet MS Sans serif fonts lack the small details at ends of letter strokes, leading to a plainer look. Suitable for both header and body text.
    Script Brush Script, Zapfino, Lucida Handwriting These fonts are meant to mimic handwriting, either calligraphic or casual. Useful in very specific designs, but unsuitable for body text and most headers.
    Monospace Courier New, Consolas, American Typewriter All letters and symbols use the exact same amount of space. Useful when displaying computer code, or when precise horizontal alignment between lines is important.

    Change the Font Size

    Changing the font size helps differentiate between titles, headers, and body text.

    1. Select the text.
    2. Click the Font Size list arrow on the Home tab.
    3. Select a font size.
    4. Change the Font Size

    The font size changes.

    Click the Increase Font Size or Decrease Font Size buttons to increase or decrease by one point at a time.

    Font size is measured in points (pt) that are 1/72 of an inch. The larger the number of points, the larger the font.

    Change the Font Color

    You may need to change font color to make text stand out, comply with brand standards, or add visual appeal.

    1. Select the text you want to change.
    2. Click the Font Color list arrow.

      You can also click the Font Color list arrow on the Mini Toolbar.

    3. Select a new color.

      If you don’t like any of the available theme colors, select More Colors to display the Colors dialog box.

      Change the Font Color

    Apply Bold, Italic, or an Underline

    In addition to changing font type, size, and color, you can also enhance the text further by using other features in the Font group like bold, italic, or underline.

    1. Select the text you want to change.
    2. Select Bold, Italics, or Underline.

      Shortcuts:

      • To bold: Ctrl + B
      • To italicize: Ctrl + I
      • To underline: Ctrl + U

      Apply Bold, Italic, or an Underline

    The effect is applied.

    Change the Case

    If you want to change the case of a block of text, you don’t need to retype the whole thing. You can easily change the case of selected text with the Change Case menu.

    1. With the text selected, click the Change Case button.
    2. Select a case option:
      • Sentence case
      • lowercase
      • UPPERCASE
      • Capitalize Each Word
      • tOGGLE cASE

      Change the Case

    Clear Formatting

    If you change your mind and want to remove all formatting from text, you can easily clear all formatting at once.

    1. With the text selected, click Clear All Formatting.
    2. Clear Formatting

    The extra formatting is removed, and the text is reset to the default style.


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