How to use word

[amillionyears]

I am writing a book,and as far as I know I need to submit it using word.
We have word on the computer,but I do not understand how to use it.
My DH has tried to tell me,but I still dont understand. tbh,I dont think he is a very good teacher,and I am not a good student.
Can someone please point me in the right direction of a good book to help me understand it please,and it would need to be very simple.Thanks.

Do an internet search for a free downloadable instruction book such as 'Word for dummies'. Make sure you get the correct book for the version of Word you have. I've used 2003 and 2007 but not 2010. There are differences in each version, so you'll need the right book.

Word isn't that difficult to use once you get used to it. Honest.

Thanks NicholasTeakozy.I will get that book,sounds just what I need .
I'm feeling relieved.

Avast is saying the first 8 in this list are scanned as clean. That's not to say the other 2 aren't, just that Avast has no data on them.

Open up Word.
Start typing.

Is there anything in particular you want to achieve with it? (Effects, formatting, etc.)

I like using the mouse.When I put the mouse whereever I want the words to start on the page,and press on left click,the words dont start there,they start somewhere else.

Word is a word processing application, suitable for writing content. A desktop publishing application gives much more control over layout for designing things like magazine and newspaper spreads.

Do you need to control the presentation, rather than just the words/content that will be used? If so, you will be better off with a DTP application (e.g. MS Publisher); it's possible to lay things out in Word using tables, tabs, text boxes etc. but it will probably be easier with the right tool for the job.

If you just need to get words on paper (you know what I mean) then just use Word, get things down sequentially, give them big titles and let your publisher sort the rest out.

Wrt page orientation, open up Word. Along the top look for the icons that look like lined pages and click on the one that says 'left oriented'. Once you start to play with it a bit it becomes dead easy. :)

Thanks both of you.
Yes,its really just words on paper.
I was hoping to also make rough notes down the sides,when needed,and rub out afterwards as it were,but that may or may not be a bit beyond me.
I will look for the left oriented icon,and have a play and see how I get on.

You can add Comments to points in the text or particular sections which will leave notes down the right hand side of the document, it sounds like exactly what you're looking for.

If you're using Word 2007 or 2010, you can add comments from the Review tab; in Word 2003 'Comment' is in the Insert menu.

You can also insert footnotes, from the Insert > Reference menu in 2003, and the References tab in 2007/2010.

Have discovered we have Word 2003.
Have managed to find the "comment" in the insert menu.
Will have a play around and see how I get on with it.

That's the best way to learn how to use it IMO. Just dive in. Trial and error is the way forward. Don't forget to save often.

Good advice above and it sounds like you're on your way. Just to add, however, that the 'Help' function is really handy with little tutorials on each thing you want to do starting at the most basic.

The one thing I remember about the 'Help' in Office 2003 was that fucking paperclip.

I've got Word 2010 and I actually miss that fucking paperclip! I think I swapped mine for a dog - does that sound right?

I don't miss the 'Oh It looks like you are writing a letter! can I just patronise you a bit?'

I've got Word 2010 and I actually miss that fucking paperclip! I think I swapped mine for a dog - does that sound right?

You are Kyle MacDonald AICMFP

I told DH I was getting help from you lovely ladies on here.
And told him about a paperclip and dog,obviously dont know what I am talking about yet,and he said"ah,you are talking about the help function.Yeah,I disengaged that,we dont need it"!
But I will reengage it for you!
Trouble with my DH is,lovely man that he can be,is that he imo is a useless teacher,and when it combines with someone in the household not having a very good understanding about something,he gets very frustrated.
it was when he said,on the day I started the thread,that there are many functions with word,and he only understands or knows a few of them,that I realised I needed the extra help.
I will press the help function as soon as he has "reengaged" it.

Have you tried your local library or local authority training centre if they have a basic computers skills course that includes Word? Although I'm a great believer in diving in, you don't want to lose your work because you didn't know how to back up, etc.