Microsoft Word 2008
Working with Text Options
You can format the text in your Word documents by changing the font, size, color, character formatting, and text alignment. This document provides instructions for many different formatting options that can give your document a unique look. For more information, refer to Paragraph Formatting Options and Fonts Overview.
Formatting Text
The following are some rules to keep in mind when you are formatting your text:
-
If you know what formatting options you want, you can enable them before you type. After you finish typing the section, you can disable them.
-
When formatting text that is already typed into the document, the first step is to select it. Only selected text will take on the format that you are applying. For instructions, refer to Selecting Text.
-
Using too many fonts, sizes, and other formatting in one document often looks cluttered and is hard to read. Try to limit yourself to no more than two or three fonts, sizes, and formats per document.
-
Once the text is formatted, deselect the text by clicking away from the text or pressing an arrow key. Selected text is vulnerable and can easily be deleted or changed unintentionally.
Changing Font, Size, and Color
Word allows you to change the font, size, and color from the Font dialog box, or the Formatting Palette. The Formatting Palette option is an easier and faster way of changing the look of your text. However, the Font dialog box provides more options and allows you to preview your text through the Preview box. For more information, refer to Fonts Overview.
Changing Font, Size, and Color: Formatting Palette Option
-
Select the desired text
-
Click TOOLBOX
The Formatting Palette appears.
- If the Font section is not expanded, click it
-
To select a different font, from the Name pull-down menu, select the desired font
-
To select a different size, from the Size pull-down menu, select the desired font size
-
To select a different color, click FONT COLOR
» select the desired font color
Changing Font, Size, and Color: Menu Option
-
Select the desired text
-
On the Command bar, from the Format pull-down menu, select Font...
The Font dialog box appears.
NOTE: A preview of the selected font appears in the Preview section.
-
In the Font text box, type the desired font name
OR
From the Font scroll menu, select the desired font -
In the Size text box, type the desired font size
OR
From the Size scroll menu, select the desired size -
From the Font color pull-down menu, select the desired font color
-
In the Effects section, select any additional font effects
EXAMPLES: Small caps, Superscript, Subscript -
Click OK
Changing Character Formatting
Word allows you to format text characters using the menu, Formatting Palette, or keyboard options. The Formatting Palette and keyboard options are faster; however, the menu option offers more options. Some of the styles you can apply are boldface, italics, underlining, shadow, superscript or subscript, single or double strikethrough, small or all caps, and color.
Changing Character Formatting: Formatting Palette Option
-
Select the text to be formatted
-
Click TOOLBOX
The Formatting Palette appears. -
OPTIONAL: If the Font section is not expanded, click it
-
In the Font section, click one or more of the appropriate formatting buttons
EXAMPLE: Click ITALIC
HINT: To deselect character formatting, select the text and click the previously chosen formatting button a second time.
Changing Character Formatting: Menu Option
-
Select the text to be formatted
-
On the Command bar, from the Format pull-down menu, select Font...
The Font dialog box appears.
NOTE: A preview of the selected font appears in the Preview section.
- In the Font style scroll menu, select one or more of the appropriate formatting effects
EXAMPLE: Select Italic.
HINT: To deselect character formatting, select the text and click the formatting effect a second time.
Changing Character Formatting: Keyboard Option
-
Select the text to be formatted
-
Press the appropriate key(s):
Enhancement Keystroke Italics [Cmd] + [I] Bold [Cmd] + [B] Underline [Cmd] + [U]
