This 5-page document provides an overview of the basic functions and layout of the Microsoft Word 2010 interface. It describes the main tabs along the top ribbon (File, Home, Insert, Page Layout, Review, View), which contain groups of commands for common tasks like formatting text, inserting objects, checking spelling, and changing document views. It also explains that some groups have additional options that appear in dropdown dialogue boxes accessed by buttons on the ribbon. The document is intended to help beginners navigate and understand the basic Word 2010 interface.

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© 2012 Bow Valley College
Microsoft Word 2010— Beginner
The Basics of Using Word 2010
The File Tab:
The File Tab is located on the top left hand side of the screen once Microsoft Word 2010 is
opened.
Clicking on the Office Button will open a menu where you will find the following commands:
 Save- saves your document to the default location.
 Save As- use this option to name a file when you save for the first time and choose
the location to save the document to.
 Open- opens a Word document you have saved on your computer or USB stick.
 New- opens a new document for Microsoft Word and gives you access to templates
from Microsoft Office
 Print- prints your document or previews what it would look like if your printed it
(Print Preview)
 Save & Send- use this option to send a document over your e-mail (your computer
must have an e-mail program set up for this to work- this does not work with
webmail).
 Exit- use this option to close the word program after you have saved your document.
File Tab

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© 2012 Bow Valley College
The Ribbon and Tabs:
Word 2010 uses the Ribbon and Tabs to display commands for use in the creation of your
document.
The Ribbon will change as you click on a new Tab.
The Home Tab:
Clicking on the Home Tab will display the most commonly used commands when working with
a Word document.
There are five groups available in the Home Tab:
 Clipboard- where you can store copied content and use the copy and paste commands.
 Font- where you can change the way the text appears in the document.
 Paragraph- where you can change the format or layout of your paragraphs and headings.
 Styles- where you can apply a preset style for headings and main bodies of text.
 Editing- where you can select, search, find and replace text.
Tabs Tabs
The Ribbon
Clipboard ParagraphFont Styles Editing

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© 2012 Bow Valley College
The Insert Tab:
Clicking on the Insert Tab will display the commands used to insert objects into a Word
document.
There are seven groups available in the Insert Tab:
 Pages- where you can insert new pages or page breaks.
 Tables- where you can insert a table into your document.
 Illustrations- where you can insert pictures, shapes or charts into your document.
 Links- where you can insert hyperlinks and bookmarks into your document.
 Header & Footer- where you can insert a header, footer or page numbers.
 Text- where you can insert special text or text boxes into your document.
 Symbols- where you can insert special symbols or math equations into your document.
The Page Layout Tab:
Clicking on the Page Layout Tab will display the commands to change the way the page and
paragraphs are set up.
There are five groups available in the Page Layout Tab:
 Themes- where you can change the theme colours available and default fonts.
 Page Setup- where you can change the page (orientation, size, margins etc.).
 Page Background- where you can change the background and borders of the page.
 Paragraph- where you can change the look and spacing of the document paragraphs.
 Arrange- where you can arrange objects on the page.
Pages Tables Illustrations Links Header & Footer Text Symbols
Themes Page Setup Page Background Paragraph Arrange

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© 2012 Bow Valley College
The Review Tab:
Clicking on the Review Tab will display the commands to edit and check your document.
There are six groups available in the Review Tab:
 Proofing- where you can check spelling and grammar and use the dictionary.
 Language- where you can use the Microsoft translation tool
 Comments- where you can add comments in the margins.
 Tracking- where you can track the changes made to the document.
 Changes- where you can accept or reject any changes made to the document.
 Compare- where you can compare two versions of the same document.
 Protect- where you can restrict access to the document.
The View Tab:
Clicking on the View Tab will display the commands that will change the way the document
appears on the screen.
There are five groups available in the Review Tab:
 Document Views- where you can change way you see the document on the monitor.
 Show- where you can show or hide helpful tools such as the ruler or gridlines.
 Zoom- where you can zoom in and out of the document or see more than one page.
 Window- where you open different views in a new window or switch between document
windows.
 Macros- where you can add macros to the document.
CommentsProofing Changes CompareTracking Protect
Document Views ZoomShow Window Macros
Language

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© 2012 Bow Valley College
Dialogue Boxes on the Ribbon:
If there are more commands available for a group on the Ribbon than can be displayed, there will
be a button to open a dialogue box with more options.
For example:
In the Home Tab Ribbon there is a font category. This category has extra commands available.
To access the extra commands click on the button on the bottom right of the category.
This will open the Font Dialogue Box:
Click here to open the
Font Dialogue Box.
More options for
changing the text are
displayed here.