Microsoft Word 2008

Working with Summary Information

You can access important document information with document summaries. Document summaries contain information such as the filename, title, and author. The summary is contained in the document file and serves for future reference to the document.

Using Properties
Creating a Document Summary
Printing Summary Information

Using Properties

The document's Properties information provides the user with a brief history and description of the current document. The Properties dialog box is divided into sections that simplify the process of creating a document summary. Included in the document summary are important bits of information about the writing process such as keywords or phrases, subject, author, and title. The bits of information can be used in future references about the document content and history, and also can act as a location tool for misplaced files.

Included in the most basic summary is the filename, directory, title, and the author (which automatically appears as the default user of the program but can be changed for each individual document). The following are additional summary descriptions that can be added at the author's discretion:

Subject
A brief subject description

Author
The name(s) of the author(s)

Keywords
Topical words that can help in locating the document

Comments
Any comments that may serve for future reference

Creating a Document Summary

The purpose of a document summary is to have a location for important information about your document.

From the File menu, select Properties...
The Properties dialog box appears.
Select the Summary tab
In the fields provided, type the appropriate information relating to your document
To return to your document, click OK

Printing Summary Information

You can print Summary information separate from the document or along with the document itself.

Printing Summary Information: Separate from the Document

From the File menu, select Print...
The Print dialog box appears.
From the Print Options pull-down menu, select Microsoft Word
From the Print What pull-down menu, select Document properties
Click PRINT
The Summary information is printed.

Printing Summary Information: With the Document

From the Word menu, select Preferences...
The Preferences dialog box appears.
In the Output and Sharing section, select Print
Under Include with document, select Document properties
Click OK
To print, from the File menu,
1. Select Print...
  The Print dialog box appears.
2. Make any necessary adjustment.
  NOTE: For more information, refer to Printing Options for Specific Pages.
3. Click PRINT
  The Summary information is printed with the document.
  WARNING: Summary information will be printed in the manner defined above until this print command is changed. To turn off the summary printing, repeat steps 1-4.