Word Processing

Back to: COMPUTER SCIENCE SS1

 

Welcome to class!

In today’s class, we will be talking about word processing. Enjoy the class!

Word Processing

Word processing is the phrase used to describe using a computer to create, edit and print documents. It is also the creation, input, editing and production of a document with a computerized device. A word processing package enables you to type in and manipulate text.  It helps you to enter, store, format, copy and print text.  It is software that turns the computer into a sophisticated typewriter. The word processing software allows you to determine how you want the finished page to look i.e. page size, line, width, margin etc.  Once you are satisfied that everything looks all right, you can print out any number of copies on paper.

Basic features

The basic functions are

• Text editing
• Word wrap
• Creating documents.
• Text can be typed, inserted, deleted.
• Text can also be centred between the left and right margins.
• Headers and footers
• Page numbering.

Functions include layout setting, copy, move, search and replace text can be copied or moved within the document and any occurrence of text can be replaced with another block of text.

The simplest programs that do word processing are known as text editors. These programs are designed to be small, simple and cheap. Almost all operating system made comes with at least one text editor built-in. most editors are saved files in a special format called ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange).

Evaluation

1. What is word processing?
2. What is the difference between a text editor and a notepad?

Uses of word processing

1. It allows saving of works for future purposes.
2. Word processing packages come with many handy features such as borders, text layout etc.
3. It allows plenty of professional-quality document templates.
4. Easy to detect and correct mistakes.
5. It allows correction of spellings and grammar.
6. Inserting elements from other software such as illustrations and photographs.

Evaluation

1. What is the difference between a text editor and a notepad?
2. List THREE basic functions of a word processing.

Examples of the word processor

A word processor is a computer software application that performs the task of creation and printing of electronic documents. There are several types of word processors; they include Word Perfect, Word Star, MS-Word, Loco Script, Ami-Pro, Word Craft, and WordPad etc.

1. Microsoft Word: it is part of the Microsoft office suite. Word consistently wins the title of the most widely word processing program worldwide. Besides basic word processing functions. Word also has desktop publishing capabilities. All the Microsoft office programs have the capacity to work together. An excel worksheet can exist within a word document. Word also has the power to easily merge with Excel lists or from access database files.
2. Corel Word Perfect: word perfect suite contains several software programs essential for business and home users. The suite comes with WordPerfect word, Quattro Pro spreadsheet program, Corel presentations and WordPerfect mail.
3. OpenOffice: The OpenOffice suite includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation program, database and graphics editor. As with Microsoft Office, the OpenOffice programs also work with one another.

Evaluation

1. Define word processor.
2. List the types of word processors.

The simplest programs that do word processing are known as text editors. These programs are designed to be small, simple and cheap. Almost all operating system made comes with at least one text editor built-in. most editors are saved files in a special format called ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange). Text editors are wonderful programs. The most common text editor is the notepad which comes with windows. Others are:

• Edit which comes with Disk Operating System (DOS).
• SimpleText which comes with Macintosh.

The major difference between a text editor and word processor is that word processors have special features that are used to beautify texts. They have varieties of colours and other icons while the text editors can only accept text with little features such as changing of font’s colours, sizes, etc. The common type of text editor is the notepad that comes with window systems.

Creating a word document

Click on the start icon to display the start menu and then click on the Microsoft word icon. The program gives you an empty one to type.

How to save a document

• Start a new document in Word and type your text.
• Click the file in the top left-hand corner of the screen.
• From the menu, choose to save as.
• A ‘Save As’ dialogue box will come up. It will show the folder where you will be saving.
• Type in the name of your document and click Save.

NOTE: You can also save your document using the shortcut “Ctrl S”

Saving formats

Documents can be saved in different file formats depending on what purpose you intend to use it for. Click on the down arrow to the right save in section of the dialog box, which will display a drop-down menu, choose the file format you want for your document. File formats include HTML, PDF, RTF etc.

Opening MS-word document

• On the menu bar, click File and then click the open icon.
• Click the folder and the file you want to open.
• Click the file.
• Click open.

Evaluation

1. Highlight steps in loading word document.
2. Explain how to create Ms word document.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about Presentation Package. We hope you enjoyed the class.

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