Since its launch in 1983, Microsoft Word has become one of the most popular word processors in the world, but not everyone uses the software to its fullest potential. Tessa R Davis, a doctor and writer, shared some helpful tips and tricks on Twitter that can improve your Microsoft Word experience and turn you into a more professional user.
Here are some of the most helpful tips shared by Davis.
1.2 billion people use Microsoft Word.
Most of us think we know it inside out.
But we don’t.
Here are 8 Microsoft Word tricks you wish you already knew:
— Tessa Davis (@TessaRDavis) July 15, 2022
Start typing anywhere
Sometimes you don’t want to start typing at the beginning of the document and prefer to start somewhere else, like in the middle of the document. To do this, you don’t need to press Enter several times and then press the spacebar several times afterward. Instead, you can simply start typing anywhere by double-clicking the position where you want to start and Microsoft Word will place the cursor exactly there, allowing you to start typing.
Use focus mode to eliminate distractions
Microsoft Word has a special mode for those times when you need to focus and concentrate on what you’re writing: “focus mode.” Focus mode eliminates all distractions, including white space in the document background and the ribbon menu at the top of the document, giving you a clean, clear workspace for everything you type. To enable focus mode, go to the View tab and select focus mode.
Focus mode. (Image credit: Screenshot/Microsoft Word)
Convert PDF to Microsoft Document
We all know how useful it is to convert a Microsoft Word document to PDF, but did you know that it was also possible to do the reverse? If you go to File > Open and select a PDF document, Word will automatically convert the PDF file to an editable Word document. Note that it may not look exactly like the original document since Word tries to make it editable. This feature also works with images.
Open the PDF as a Word document. (Image credit: Screenshot / Microsoft Word)
Sort lists alphabetically
If you have a list of words on a document, you can rearrange the list in alphabetical or reverse alphabetical order. All you have to do is select the text you want to sort, then go to the Home tab and hit the sort icon. This opens a dialog where you can enter sorting parameters, including whether you want the list to be sorted alphabetically or reverse alphabetically.
Add citations and references
Adding references to your Word document. (image credit: Screenshot / Microsoft Word)
If you work on writing research articles and other academic papers, you will know how difficult it is to cite different articles and sources of information, especially when the citation style differs depending on the use case. . But Microsoft Word can help by automatically inserting references and citations in the format you need. Go to the “References” tab and click on “insert citation” and add the details of the work you wish to cite. After that, you can later add a bibliography or reference list at the end of your document and Microsoft Word will automatically create it in the style you want.
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