Chapter 4:
Existing Software

Many word processing programs have their own built-in features to help make writing easier. New editing techniques can help to correct writing errors. Features such as; “Cut and paste” and “click and drag” can help the writer move words, sentences and paragraphs around within the text. The proficiency of spell checkers and grammar checkers help users correct work easily. Although spellcheckers can capture misspelled words, they do not catch correctly spelled words that are used improperly, such as homonyms. A grammar check is effective in helping catch these errors.

Microsoft Word 2003

Microsoft Word is a popular word-processing program with many features that can make the process of writing more accessible for many individuals. Some of the features include: customizing toolbars, autotext, autocorrect, spell check, and shortcut keys.

Customizing Toolbars

This feature is important because some individuals are easily overwhelmed by too much information and text appearing on the interface. Toolbars can be customized or created by adding, reorganizing and removing buttons and menus. Students often benefit from creating toolbars with larger and/or fewer buttons or menu items. Toolbars can be removed shown or hidden.

Delete/Add a Toolbar Button

Show the toolbar to change. Buttons may be added or removed in either of two ways.

  1. Open the final menu arrow pointing down on the toolbar that you want to change. Click on the Add or Remove Buttons menu arrow pointing down. Click on (or off) the box next to any of the available button options. Close the menu. The toolbar will reflect the changes.
  2. Hold down the ALT key and drag the button off the toolbar.

Toolbars may be customized further by clicking on the Customize option at the bottom of the Add/Remove menu.

AutoText/AutoCorrect

AutoText offers a way to store and quickly insert text, graphics, fields, tables, bookmarks, and other frequently used items. Microsoft Word comes with a number of built-in AutoText entry features that are divided. For example, if writing on a letter, Word can offer letter-specific AutoText entries, such as salutations and closings.