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Word processing is about preparing a document for some sort of publication.\u00a0 There are many parts to word processing, but the basics include formatting text, controlling page layout and inserting external objects such as graphics.<\/p>\nWord processing is about preparing a document for some sort of publication.\u00a0 There are many parts to word processing, but the basics include formatting text, controlling page layout and inserting external objects such as graphics.<\/p>\n
When learning how to use a word processor, one should already know how to type.\u00a0 When I teach word processing, I give my class a few hundred pages of a classic work (something out of copyright) and have them format the document in a specific way: fonts, line spacing, margins, page numbers, a few graphics.\u00a0 We start with an ASCII text file, usually from Project Gutenberg<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here is the step that usually sinks one or two students.\u00a0 When an ASCII text file is\u00a0saved using Word, this cryptic message pops up.<\/p>\n YourFile.txt may contain features that are not compatible with Plain Text format.\u00a0 Do you want to save the document in this format?<\/p>\n To save, click Yes. Most people that get this message will click “Yes”.\u00a0 After all, I want to save my file.\u00a0 I have been formatting this thing for an hour so I certainly want to save my file.\u00a0 How can I go wrong by pressing “Yes” to save my file?<\/p>\n “Yes” will save the file as an ASCII file.\u00a0 ASCII files can’t contain formatting (fonts, line spacing, margins, page numbers, a few graphics).\u00a0 In other words, if you take the time to format a text file and then save it as a text file, you will only have the file you started with and no formatting at all.<\/p>\n The correct thing to do is Save As and select “Word” as the document format.\u00a0 This retains all the formatting.\u00a0 If you don’t go with the “Save As” option, chances are you will become another victim of that confusing message from Microsoft and end up right where you started.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Word processing is about preparing a document for some sort of publication.\u00a0 There are many parts to word processing, but the basics include formatting text, controlling page layout and inserting external objects such as graphics. When learning how to use … Continue reading
\nTo preserve formatting, click No.\u00a0 Then save a copy in the latest Word format.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n