This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Entering Text
If you're new to computing, you'll find that entering text in a word processing document is only a little different than using a typewriter—different but much simpler.
As in most computer programs, the blinking vertical line (called the insertion point) indicates where the next character you type will appear. Type as you would with a typewriter. The main differences include the following:
- You press
only to begin a new paragraph—not to begin a new line in the same paragraph. - You'll note that the lines of a paragraph are automatically adjusted to include as many words as possible. This occurs via a feature known as word wrap. If you add or delete text in a paragraph, the entire paragraph rewraps to accommodate the changes.
- Typing a word processing document does not have to be a linear process—as it must with a typewriter. For example, although you can backspace over errors (by pressing
), you can also just select incorrect text and type over it. (The first character you type automatically deletes the selected text.) - You can click anywhere within existing text to change the insertion point. Then you can insert more text at that spot, correct an error, or perform other edits.
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Click and type
Click and type is a Word feature that can be thought of as a form of automatic paragraph formatting. You can click in any blank area of your document to enter text at that spot. In a new document, for example, you could click near the right margin or halfway down the page. Click and type is not available in Normal or Outline view.
To enable and use click and type
- Choose Word > Preferences.
The Preferences dialog box appears.
- Select the Edit heading in the left side of the dialog box to display the Edit preferences (Figure 3.6).
Figure 3.6 Enable click and type in the Edit section of the Preferences dialog box.
- Click the Enable click and type check box, and then click OK.
- Switch to a view in which click and type is supported: Page Layout, Online Layout, or Notebook Layout.
- Move the cursor to a blank spot on the page where you'd like to type.
As you move, the cursor changes shape to reflect the type of paragraph formatting that will be applied to the text (Figure 3.7). The shapes include align left, align right, center, left indent, left text wrap, and right text wrap.
Figure 3.7 The click and type cursor changes to show the paragraph formatting that will be applied.
- Double-click to set the new insertion point and begin typing.
Word inserts the necessary blank paragraphs and tabs to fill the document to the beginning of the new text.
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