Microsoft Word Basics: Making Changes to Text

1. Microsoft Word Basics:Making Changes to Text Computer Information Technology – Section 4-7 Some text and examples used with permission from: • http://www.jegsworks.com • Note: We not endorsing or promoting religious doctrine, but simply taking advantage of this website for educational purposes.

2. Formatting a Word Document • Objectives: • The Student will: • Understand the different methods of changing text in a Word document.

3. Changing Text • There are a number of ways to modify text in Word: • Add • Delete • Modify • Move

4. Changing Text - Add • Adding text is as simple as moving the cursor to the position you want and typing. • The point where the cursor is sitting is called the insertion point. • Normally text is simply inserted at the point. • Word can also overwrite the text instead of inserting text • Turn this on and off by either hitting the insert key If this feature gets turned on my accident it can be very confusing! • In Word 2007 this entire feature is controlled from the advanced tab on the options menu. Turning the feature off ensures you cannot accidently turn overwrite on.

5. Changing Text - Delete • There are 2 ways of deleting text. • Delete key/Backspace key: Simply place the cursor where you want to delete the text. • Delete key: deletes the text after the cursor • Backspace key: deletes the character before the cursor • If you select some text then either key will delete that text • Cut command: You can find the cut command on either the Home ribbon, by right clicking the mouse or by typing CNTL-x. • Select the text and choose cut. • The difference between Delete/Backspace and Cut is that cut will place the text on the clipboard and you can later choose Paste to insert the text at a different location. • Both commands can be undone by clicking the undo button.

6. Changing Text - Modify • There are 2 ways of modifying text. • Typing over the text: Select the text you need to modify and simply type the text to replace it. • Find and Replace: Use the find and replace command. • Bring up the Find and Replace dialog box by hitting either CNTL-f (the find command) or CNTL-h (brings you directly to the replace dialog box):

7. Changing Text - Modify • Find and Replace: • Enter the text you want to find in the Find what box. • Enter the text you want to replace it with in the Replace with box • Choose either Replace All (no questions asked) or Find Next (prompts/asks for each replacement)

8. Changing Text - Move • There are 2 ways of moving text. • Cut and Paste: • Select the text you want to move. • Use the Cut command or CNTL-X to cut the text from the current location (and place it on the clipboard) • Move the cursor to the location where you want the text. • Select Paste from the Home ribbon, right click and select paste or type CNTL-v • Drag and Drop: • Select the text you want to move. • Press and hold the left mouse button. • Move the text to the new location and let go of the mouse button. • On a long drag your finger might slip and accidentally drop your text in the wrong spot. Cut and paste will be easier in that case.

9. Formatting a Word Document • Summary: • Like most Word functions, there are multiple ways of doing each thing. Experiment with them all and find the ways that best work for you!

10. Rest of Today • Download trip.doc from the homework section of the web site. • Download “Sec 4-7 - Modifying Text Instructions.doc” from the home work section of the web site. Follow the instructions. • Do at least 15-20 minutes of typing in Mavis Beacon