Understanding Microsoft Word: History and Functions

What is Microsoft Word? Here is the Complete Information!

Microsoft Word is one of the applications used by students, college students and employees. This application is one of the popular word processing tools used by many people around the world.

It is very important to understand this tool because it makes daily work easier, including creating documents.

In this article, we will discuss all the information about Microsoft Word that you need to know!

Also read:

• How to Make Lines in Word Without Hassle
• Microsoft Ends Windows 8.1 Support Next Year, What's Up?
• Microsoft Excel: History and Tips for Using It

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a word processing, text management, document creation, editing and document arrangement software from Microsoft.

This software was developed by Microsoft Corporation and is an integral part of the Microsoft Office software suite.

Its function is to enable users to create letters, reports, papers or other documents.

Before printing, this document will be saved in electronic file form. And this tool can be run on Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS.

History

Microsoft Word was first published in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix and began to be developed for DOS (1983), Apple Macintosh (1984), SCO UNIX, OS/2 and Windows (1989).

The initial concept for its development came from the Bravos application, which was the world's first graphical word processing application developed by the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC).

Charles Simonyi, the creator of Bravo, and another Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) staff member, Richard Brodie, joined Microsoft in 1981 and development of Multi-Tool Word began on February 1, 1983.

It was eventually renamed Microsoft Word and released for the IBM PC on October 25, 1983. In 1989, Microsoft released Word for Windows, a version of Word for Windows that aimed to improve the user experience with more advanced features.

Over the years, Microsoft has continued to develop Word by adding features or support for images, tables, graphs or integration with other applications.

Function

This tool plays a very important role as a word processor that allows its users to carry out document-related activities.

This includes document creation, editing to document formatting. Some of its main functions are:

Document Creation

This tool allows its users to create various types of documents such as letters, reports, papers, proposals, brochures or pamphlets on any paper size.

Text Editing

Users can edit text to correct spelling, grammar, remove typos or insert images.

Various editing features make it easier for users to change the format, size, style and color of text.

Document Format

In addition, this application allows its users to create or change documents such as font type, font size, footnotes, text color, numbering, margins and paper size.

Then, you can change the file type to other formats such as txt, PDF, and many more.

Making a Letter

Usually every letter arrangement has a specific format that has been set. This format is arranged or processed using the features in Microsoft Word.

The features used to create a letter are a dividing line to divide the letterhead section and a Text Box to create a signature column.

Translate Words

In addition, this tool functions to translate words or documents into a particular language.

The Translate Text or Translate Document feature allows users to translate text from another language into the desired language.

You can select part or all of the document to translate, which can be done directly in Microsoft Word.

Avoiding Typos

This tool is also equipped with an autocorrect feature in various languages. Later, all writing will be corrected if there is a typo.

Access PDF Format

Creating documents in PDF format can be done via Microsoft Word or you can open documents in PDF format.

In addition, this tool will automatically convert PDF documents to Doc so they can be viewed.

Embedding Tables from Microsoft Excel

Another convenience, users can insert tables that have been created in Microsoft Excel into Word via the 'Object' feature.

This feature is located in the 'Insert' tab which allows users to display tables from Microsoft Excel in a Word sheet.

Features

The following are the features of Microsoft Word, including:

Layouts

This software can also be used to create simple layouts and users can add titles, subtitles, lists and text columns.

Object Insertion

Users can insert images, tables, graphs and other objects into documents and can modify images, crop or adjust the size.

Pin to Save Documents

This pin feature is very useful for searching documents because they have a large number of files.

The pinned file is always at the top of the search list so that the document can be edited faster.

Template

Microsoft Word provides various worksheets that you need, such as letters, curriculum vitae, resumes and others that you can edit directly.

Ribbon Tabs

There are various tabs in Microsoft Word such as Home, Insert, Layout and others which are used to change documents.

Thesaurus

Use the Thesaurus feature to reduce repetitive words or want to use familiar vocabulary that helps find equivalent words. However, this feature can only be used with English language settings.

Spell Check and Grammar Check

This feature is used to check spelling and grammar in documents, of course helping users avoid typos.

Mail Merge

This feature helps users to create similar documents that are customized with data from external sources.

Macros

Allows users to create a series of commands that are combined as one custom command.

Review

In addition, there is also a reviewing feature that allows users to provide comments, tracking, changes and reviews that facilitate collaboration on documents.

SmartArt and Add-ins

SmartArt is used to create diagrams and graphs quickly. Equipped with the Add-ins feature, which can integrate with other applications so that users can open documents in various applications.

Translate Text

In addition, it also helps to translate text in documents from the source language to the target language.

Turn Text to Speech

Allows users to review writing by listening to the text that has been written so it is easy to find errors.

Writing Suggestion

Displays text suggestions while writing and allows users to type faster.

Fast Word Writing

Allows its users to quickly write words and load them in a Word sheet.

Edit Text

The text editing feature can be used to edit, correct, delete, insert, change and other things that can be done easily.

Saving Documents

The finished Microsoft Word document can be saved and accessed again at any time.

Text Format

The text can be made in various forms and styles such as Bold, Underline, Italic and equipped with various types of fonts.

Inserting Media

You can also insert media files such as videos or images into documents.

Organizing Paragraphs

Allows users to set the paragraphs that will be displayed Align Left, Align Right, Align Center and Justify.

Removing Typing Errors

Allows users to delete words, lines and paragraphs with a single tap.

Row Spacing

Users can adjust the spacing to create lines in the document that have the desired spacing.

Cursor Mover

Allows the user to move the cursor from one word to another or from one paragraph to another.

Naming a Document

You can also give a name to the document that has been created and later the document can be accessed again at any time.

Page Break

Allows users to separate between pages. Its function is to create page numbering.

Header and Footer

Allows users to add Headers or Footers to create page numbers, dates or company logos on document pages.

Page Orientation

Allows users to create pages with orientation options between portrait or landscape pages.

Mail Merge

Allows users to create large numbers of letters with similar template letters that will be sent to many people.

How to Download and Install Microsoft Word

To download and install Microsoft Word is actually very easy. However, this application is already included in one office package from Microsoft.

The package name is Microsoft 365, consisting of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Power Point, Cloud, Outlook and others.

If you want to buy Microsoft 365, users must subscribe monthly or annually.

The package prices for Microsoft 365 include:

• Microsoft 365 Family: Rp. 129,999/month
• Microsoft 365 Family: Rp. 1,299,999/year
• Microsoft 365 Personal: Rp. 95,999/month
• Microsoft 365 Personal: Rp. 959,999/year

How to Download

1. Visit the official site Microsoft.
2. Log in using your Microsoft account.
3. On the home page, click the 'Microsoft 365' menu.
4. Click 'Choose your Microsoft 365'.
5. Select an available package.
6. Click 'Buy Now'.
7. Complete the package purchase according to the directed method.
8. Later, the package can be accessed on the 'Services and Subscriptions' menu in the account profile.
9. Download your purchased Microsoft 365.
10. Done.

How to Install

1. Look for the Microsoft 365 file in the 'Downloads' folder.
2. Click on the file and install the application.
3. Wait until it's finished.
4. Once finished, open the installed Microsoft Word application.
5. Done.

Also read:

• How to Translate in Word Using Google Doc via Android and PC
• Microsoft Office 2024 Implements a One-Time Payment System, Here's the Price
• 7 Applications that Must Have on a Windows 10 Laptop

Top up games and subscribe to the cheapest premium digital products at VCGamers Marketplace, yes!