Text Basics in Microsoft Word

Introduction

If you're new to Microsoft Word, you'll need to learn the basics of typing, editing, and organizing text. Basic tasks include the ability to add, delete, and move text in your document, as well as how to cut, copy, and paste.

Optional: Download our practice document.

Using the insertion point to add text

The insertion point is the blinking vertical line in your document. It indicates where you can enter text on the page.

• Blank document: When a new blank document opens, the insertion point appears in the top-left corner.

• Adding spaces: Press the spacebar to add spaces after a word or in between text.

• New paragraph line: Press Enter on your keyboard to move the insertion point to the next paragraph line.

• Manual placement: After you've typed some text, you can use the mouse to click a specific place in your document to move the insertion point.

• Arrow keys: You can also use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the insertion point. Press Ctrl+Left or Ctrl+Right to move between entire words.

Selecting text

Before you can move or format text, you'll need to select it. To do this, click and drag your mouse over the text, then release the mouse. A highlighted box will appear over the selected text.

1. Move the mouse to the left of any line until it becomes a right slanted arrow.

2. Click the mouse to select the line.

3. Drag the mouse up or down to select several lines of text.

Deleting text

There are several ways to remove text:

• Backspace: Deletes text to the left of the cursor.
• Delete: Deletes text to the right of the cursor.
• Highlight & Type: Select text and start typing to replace it instantly.

Copying and moving text

Word allows you to copy text that's already in your document and paste it in other places, which can save you a lot of time and effort. If you want to move text around in your document, you can cut and paste or drag and drop.

1. Select the text you want to copy.

2. Click the Copy command on the Home tab. You can also press Ctrl+C on your keyboard.

3. Place the insertion point where you want the text to appear.

4. Click the Paste command on the Home tab. You can also press Ctrl+V on your keyboard.

5. The text will appear.

1. Select the text you want to cut.

2. Click the Cut command on the Home tab. You can also press Ctrl+X on your keyboard.

3. Place your insertion point where you want the text to appear.

4. Click the Paste command on the Home tab. You can also press Ctrl+V on your keyboard.

5. The text will appear.

1. Select the text you want to move.

2. Click and drag the text to the location where you want it to appear. A small rectangle will appear below the arrow to indicate that you are moving text.

3. Release the mouse, and the text will appear.

Undo and Redo

Word allows you to undo your most recent action when you make a mistake. For example, if you accidentally delete some text, you can restore it instantly.

Locate and select the Undo command on the Quick Access Toolbar. You can also press Ctrl+Z on your keyboard. You can continue using this command to undo multiple changes in a row.

By contrast, the Redo command allows you to reverse the last undo. You can also access this command by pressing Ctrl+Y on your keyboard.

Symbols

If you need to insert an unusual character that's not on your keyboard, such as a copyright (©) or trademark (™) symbol, you can usually find it with the Symbol command.

1. Place the insertion point where you want the symbol to appear.

2. Click the Insert tab.

3. Locate and select the Symbol command, then choose the desired symbol from the drop-down menu. If you don't see the one you want, select More Symbols...

4. The symbol will appear in the document.

Challenge!

1. Open our practice document.
2. Scroll to page 2.
3. Place the insertion point at the top of the document and type Now Introducing ....
4. Use your arrow keys to move the insertion point to the Signature Detail Plan's price and change it to $99.99/mo.
5. At the bottom of the document, use drag and drop to move Just leave the details to us to the end of the last line.
6. At the end of the line you just moved, insert the trademark symbol. If you cannot find the trademark symbol, insert a different symbol of your choice.
7. When you're finished, your document should look something like this:

Frequently Asked Questions