Basic Software and Tools

The most common program students will use in their academic career is Microsoft Word. Luckily, Fletcher students obtain Free access to Microsoft word. However, with how necessary it is to use Word, it is also necessary to understand how to use the program at least at the basic level.

This page is a guide for basic tips and tricks to make using Microsoft word a little easier. For a guide on how to install Microsoft word please see the Microsoft 365 tab in this guide.

Below are quick guides for beginners to learn how to use Microsoft Word. This includes creating documents, saving documents, printing documents and more. 

Starting a Document

To create a new blank document, click on Blank Document. Alternatively, word also allows for the use of themes. Word offers templates that you can select from the gallery each time Word is opened. 

Opening an Existing Document

If you would prefer to open a document you already worked on, there are a few options you have. If it is a recent document, word will offer you a list of recently used documents each time you open the program.

If you are already in a document, click File in the top corner and then Open to browse for your documents. 

Saving a Document

To save a document, click File and then Save As. If the file has already been saved before, you can simply click Save. You will have the option to save the file wherever you feel like on your computer or One Drive. 

Printing Your Document

To open the printing options, click on File and then Print. From here, you can preview how your document will look before being printed, select the printer you'd like to use and adjust other settings such as single or double sided printing, orientation, size and color settings. 

Interested in learning about more Advanced Word techniques? 

Visit the official Microsoft page for new and improved features that could help make using Word a bit easier.