Use of Word Processing

Introduction to Word Processing

• Word processing is a software application that allows users to create, edit, format and print documents.
• Microsoft Word is one example of a widely-used word processing application, but other alternatives include Google Docs and OpenOffice Writer.

Key Features of Word Processing Applications

• They allow for the insertion and formatting of text including fonts, colours, size, and styling (bold, italic, underline).
• They offer tools for checking spelling and grammar to improve the accuracy of written content.
• They provide functionalities to insert tables, pictures, links, and charts into documents.
• They allow for document formatting options such as paragraph alignment, line spacing, margins, and page orientation.
• They provide features for creating specialist documents such as newsletters, brochures and flyers using templates.
• They provide pagination features like inserting page numbers, headers, and footers.
• They offer the ability to inserting bibliographic references and creating a table of contents.

Benefits of Using Word Processing

• Word processing applications improve productivity due to their easy editing and formatting options.
• They facilitate collaborative work as many modern word processors allow for real-time collaboration and document sharing.
• They enhance presentation of work due to a wide range of formatting options.
• They save time in creating similar documents through use of templates and quick access to recently used files.
• They ensure accuracy of written content through spelling and grammar check features.

Issues Associated with Word Processing

• Compatibility issues can arise when trying to open a document in a different word processing program or an older version of the same program.
• Over-reliance on spellcheck can lead to overlooking grammatical errors or incorrect use of words.
• There is potential for security risks such as viruses and malware, especially when downloading templates or add-ons from the internet.
• There are privacy concerns linked to cloud-based word processors that store data on external servers.

Saving and Sharing of Word Processed Documents

• Documents can be saved in various formats including .docx, .pdf, .rtf, and .txt.
• The .pdf format is typically used for sharing documents that should not be edited by the recipient.
• Documents can be shared via email, cloud storage, or as printed hard copies.
• Version control features in some word processors allow for tracking changes made by different users, useful in collaborative work.

Remember, practical application of these features will improve your understanding and proficiency in using word processing applications. Always save your work regularly to prevent data loss.