Word 2010
While this book is ideal for students new to Word 2010, it will also be beneficial to those that have just started using the program and only have an introductory level of knowledge. The book will walk students through the advances of Word 2010 (when compared to the 2003 version), as well as a detailed visit to each tab in the new Ribbon. If you have been using an earlier version of Word, this book will help you understand how to navigate around in the updated environment.
In addition to traversing through the new program, readers will be provided with various tips on how to make the most out of Word 2010. Lots of visuals will guide students along so they can experience the program while they read. The target audience includes high school students, although any college-age students that have just started working on Composition classes will find it a great starting point for understanding the program before they begin drafting papers.
An Introduction to Word 2010
Word processing programs have been readily accessible for more than 15 years, with mainstream programs like Works and Word leading the pack of lesser-known products. Even as far back as Word 97, Microsoft® has made it a point to stay in the forefront of the word processing software game. This is no less true with Microsoft s® latest version: Word 2010 (part of the Office 2010 suite).
While the Office suite comes in various packages (students, teachers, enterprise and more), the standard, out-of-the-box version is what we will be covering here. Even with the introduction of Office 2007, Microsoft® began to slowly do away with the old-school menus and toolbars. Long gone are the various drop-down menus with seemingly endless sub-menus. Now you are able to use a new term called the Ribbon. The Ribbon provides a consolidated collection of related functions and features that allow you to find options much faster. Plus, graphical changes aside, analysts agree that the chassis and engine are unquestionably superior than older versions of the program (Levine 2010, pg. 8).
As you read through this book as we discuss the visual and structural changes, you will see that each standard tab in the Ribbon is divided into its own section, thus allowing for easier consumption. One thing that is quickly discovered is how the older dialog boxes are still available. So, even if you had become familiar with those more intermediate to advanced features, you will be relieved to know that they still appear as they did before.
Word 2010 contains an evolution of the Ribbon concept first introduced in Word 2007. Even the Ribbon is not new to Word, many users have found that this latest release is unfailingly faster and less prone to crashing that the functionality provided in Word 2007 (Levine 2010, pg. 8). The easiest way to tackle this program is to analyze each tab in the Ribbon and see what they all have to offer. You will find that some items have been moved from more familiar locations. But, after you think about its new home, you might realize that the new spot actually makes a great deal of sense. Finally, an analysis of the very new Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) and a collection of tips and tricks will be provided. Most folks familiar with older versions of Word will often take quickly to the new QAT, simply because it looks and feels like a toolbar.