Microsoft Word 2013 Basics: Getting Started

When MS Word 2013 opens the default start will show a blank document. If you wish to open a recent document or work with something other than a new, blank document, then you must use the File tab, then scroll down to Open. The Open command will display documents that you have recently worked on.  You can also choose from the numerous categories of pre-designed documents that can be used with Word by clicking on the Suggested searches categories when the New command is selected. Selecting any item will replace the blank document that Word normally starts with.

Once you've started working on a new document it is important to save it. For the first save, click on the File tab, then scroll down to the Save As command. This will then open up a series of options for saving the document. The default option is to save it as a .docx file on your computer.  However, there are additional options in Word 2013 that included saving the file to OneDrive or Sharepoint if you have access to those Microsoft services and/or products.   Once the file is saved you will see the file name at the top of the screen and from this point forward you only have to use the Save command to update any changes you've made.  The file and any changes to it will be saved to the same place that you designated, so there's never any need to use the Save As command again unless you wish to save the file to a new location.

Templates are pre-designed documents that have been created in Word and that can be modified in a variety of ways. When you choose the New command there is a list of templates that appears when you run a search or by clicking on any of the categories under Suggested searches. Most of these such as Letters, Brochures, Calendars, Flyers, and more will are taken from the Microsoft Office Templates site. Once connected, thumbnails of the items will appear in the center space where you can scroll through and choose which one to use. When you select one the template will then open in Word and you can modify or change the template the same as any other standard Word document.

The Microsoft Office Template site has thousands of pre-designed items that can be downloaded, then opened in Word. Simply select the category and item that you want, then choose the Download option. You will then be prompted to either open or save the file to your system.

Templates offer the ability to create a document quickly simply by modifying the existing text, graphics, colors, and objects. As you click on each item a different Ribbon will open that will allow you to modify the original item in the template.