Word: Text Basics
Word Text Basics

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.

Watch the video below to learn the basics of working with text in Word.

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: The insertion point appears in the top-left corner.
    • Getting Started with Word
  • Adding spaces: Press the spacebar to add spaces after a word.
    • Getting Started with Word
  • New paragraph line: Press Enter to move to the next line.
    • Getting Started with Word
  • Manual placement: Click the mouse to move the insertion point to a specific place.
    • Getting Started with Word
  • Arrow keys: Use keys to move between characters or lines. 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. Click and drag your mouse over the text; a highlighted box will appear over the selection.

Getting Started with Word
Getting Started with Word

To select multiple lines of text:

  1. Move the mouse to the left of any line until it becomes a right slanted arrow.
    2. Getting Started with Word
  2. Click to select the line.
    3. Getting Started with Word
  3. Drag the mouse up or down to select multiple lines.
    4. Getting Started with Word
Quick Tip: Double-click to select a word, triple-click to select a paragraph. Press Ctrl+A to select all text.
Word SELECT ALL

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.

To copy and paste text:

  1. Select the text you want to copy.
    2. Word SELECT ALL
  2. Click the Copy command on the Home tab. You can also press Ctrl+C on your keyboard.
    3. copy button on clipboard
  3. Place the insertion point where you want the text to appear.
    4. place the insertion point
  4. Click the Paste command on the Home tab. You can also press Ctrl+V on your keyboard.
    5. paste command clipboard
  5. The text will appear.
    6. text will appear

To cut and paste text:

  1. Select the text you want to cut.
    2. select text
  2. Click the Cut command on the Home tab. You can also press Ctrl+X on your keyboard.
    3. cut command clipboard word
  3. Place your insertion point where you want the text to appear.
    4. place insertion point word
  4. Click the Paste command on the Home tab. You can also press Ctrl+V on your keyboard.
    5. paste command clipboard
  5. The text will appear.
    6. text will appear in word
You can also cut, copy, and paste by right-clicking your document and choosing the desired action from the drop-down menu. When you use this method to paste, you can choose from three options: Keep Source Formatting, Merge Formatting, and Keep Text Only.

To Drag and Drop Text:

  1. Select the text you want to move.
    2. select text
  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. drag and drop 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.

To Undo an action:

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.

undo command in word

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.

redo command in word

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.

To insert a symbol:

  1. Place the insertion point where you want the symbol to appear.
    2. place insertion point in word
  2. Click the Insert tab.
    3. click the insert tab in word
  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. select symbol in word
  4. The symbol will appear in the document.
    5. symbol appear in word

Challenge!

  1. Open our practice ducument
  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:
    8. word practice document

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I move between words quickly?

Hold the Ctrl key and press the Left or Right arrow keys to skip over entire words.

What is the difference between Backspace and Delete?

Backspace deletes text to the left, while Delete removes text to the right of the insertion point.

How do I select all text at once?

Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A to instantly select all content in your document.

How do I fix an accidental deletion?

Immediately press Ctrl + Z to undo your last action and restore the deleted text.

Where do I find the Trademark symbol?

Go to the Insert tab, click Symbol, and look for the Trademark sign in the dropdown menu.

Continue to Lesson 6: Formatting Text →