The word processor and its interface

A word processor is a program for writing, editing, decorating and printing documents. Notepad in Windows is very simple; Word, from the Microsoft Office package, can do much more: type text, search and replace, cut and copy, change fonts and colours, insert pictures and tables, check spelling, set up pages and print. Since Word 2007 a ribbon has replaced the old menus. The ribbon has tabs: File, Home, Insert, Design, Layout, References, Review, View. The main groups of the Home tab are: Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, Styles and Editing. At the top left is the quick access toolbar (save, undo, redo), at the top the title bar, in the middle the white workspace, and at the bottom the status bar and zoom. You can start Word from the Start menu, a desktop shortcut or a taskbar icon. Word is paid software; free choices are LibreOffice Writer or online editors, and signing in to an online editor needs an adult’s help.