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Microsoft Word or MS Word or rather widely known as Word is one of the most popular Microsoft software used by many including you. Although used extensively, not many are aware of the different hidden applications in MS Word. No, I am not talking about just using shortcuts to cut, copy or past but beyond that.

Without much delay, let’s jump into knowing some interesting and effective tips and tricks that will make you much well versed with Microsoft Word.

Insert Screenshot

While drafting an article or a write up at times,pictorial representation or reference adds more depth to the content. that being said, here’s  you can take the help of the screenshot feature in MS Word. All you have to do is:

Step 1: Click on Insert Tab

Step 2 : Screenshot option under the Illustration group in the Ribbon group

Step 3: You will find a option called as ‘Screen Clipping’

Step 4: On Clicking, it will redirect to the page you want to  take a screenshot of

Step 5: Drag the mouse on the desired image  

Step 6: Once selected, it will automatically get pasted on your doc.

Format text

If I may ask, how you do format the text in word what would be your reply? Wait, let me take a guess… probably select the text and then click on the clear all formatting option right? Well, although that is one of the right way to format it is not the ‘only way’ you can easily clear all the formatting by just clicking Ctrl+Spacebar and get the text without any kind of styling.

Side –by –Side View

If you are working on multiple documents simultaneously view side by side is a go to option for you as it helps you to view two different documents at the same time. However, you can edit only one document at one time. So, the next time when you wish to work on two different documents consecutively all you need to do is:

Step 1: Click on the View Tab

Step 2:View side-by-side option under the Window Ribbon group

The two word documents will automatically get resized and fit into one window next to each other. Once done, you can close either of the document to disable the View Side-by-Side feature.

Add Border at the Bottom of Your Document

People who use MS Word extensively will certainly agree that boarders are truly powerful elements that can change the entire look and feel of the word document. That being said, not many yet know the trick of inserting a boarder on the bottom of the page. If you wish you to add a boarder at the bottom of your text or document you can simply use certain special characters and then press enter:

Cut the text without Cut-Paste Method

Is there another way to cut the text and paste it without actually using the Ctrl+X and Ctrl+V shortcut? Surprisingly yes and that too with just one key! Here’s how

Step 1: Select the text you want to cut and Press the F2 key. 

Step 2:Place the cursor where you wish to paste the content.

Step 3: Hit the Enter key. 

Convert Word into PDF

Are you still using the old school method of using third party software to convert your word doc into PDF format? Well, you can certainly ditch the old ways because now you can easily convert your word doc into a PDF in just few steps:

Step 1: Open the document you want to save in as a PDF file.

Step 2: Save the doc by clicking on File Tab and click on the Save As Tab the Save As

dialogue box will appear

Step 3:Click on the Save As type drop down list and select the PDF option. Ensure that the Open File After Publishing option is checked or selected

Step 4: Click on Save option.

Pin a Folder or a File

For those who know this feature will surely agree that pinning a file or a folder saves a lot of time at work. As it allows you to conveniently access the required file or folder in no time. If from hereon you feel the need to pin your doc here’s how you can do in two easy ways.

Method 1:

Step 1: Click on the File Tab

Step 2: Select Open Option or use the keyboard shortcut given in the below table

Step 3: Under Recent Document you will find the files that you have recently accessed

Step 4:As you lightly place the cursor on the right side, you will find a Pin icon 

Step 5:Left click on the icon to pin the file.

    Step 1

Step 2 

Method 2:

Step 1: You can simply right click on the word icon on the Task bar

Step 2: The list of recently accessed files will be displayed

Step 3: You will find the Pin icon on placing the cursor lightly on the right side of the files

Step 4:left click on the appropriate file you wish to pin. Likewise you can use this method to pin a folder as well.

Step 1Step 2

Control Word Break with Hyphenation

Have you noticed the words breaking into separate lines like; Therefore looks something like; There-fore or like-wise or en-try? I am sure you must have at some point, well this happens due to hyphenation. When a word does not entirely fit into a single line hyphenation automatically breaks or splits the word in smaller segments. To enable or disable hyphenation you need to first;

Step 1: Click on the Page Layout Tab 

Step 2: Select Hyphenation under the Page setup Ribbon group.

You will find three options under Hyphenation –

1) None (select this if you want to disable the hyphenation option)

2) Automatic (under this selection, you can view the hyphenation created in your current document)

3) Manual. (On selecting this option a Manual Hyphenation dialogue box will appear allowing you to manually adjust or change the suggested hyphenation for certain words.

Safeguard Your Documents

Step 1: Click on the File Tab 

Step 2: Click on Protect Document under Info and select Encrypt with Password option from the drop down box

Step 3:Thereafter a new dialogue box will appear wherein, you need to enter the password for your document.

Although there are merits of encrypting the word document with a password. However, if you fail to enter the correct password you may end up losing the file completely.

Columns

The Microsoft Word Column tool is apt for those who love creating or designing brochures or want to give a different feel and look to the article. If you too are working on a similar documentation the column tool could help in enhancing your documentation as well for which you need to follow these simple step

Step 1:Click on the Page Layout Tab

Step 2:Click on Columns or use the keyboard shortcut as given in the table below

Step 3: Select the number of columns from the drop down menu.

Step 4:The document will automatically get divided into the number selected.

Apart the above mentioned tips and tricks here are some quick keyboard shortcuts that could help you to work smarter with MS Word.

Whether you are a student, business professional or a writer or whether you use a desktop or laptop, you can certainly get some serious writing work done with the help of MS Word. However, that’s only if you know the tips and tricks of using the software. So, the next time you use MS Word with these simple tips & tricks you will become a pro at using this software.

Also check out some interesting keyboard shortcuts that will help you tackle your routine work seamlessly. If you found the article interesting then do share it with your family and friends as well.