Help! Need a crash course in using Microsoft Word creatively

[LemonsDrizzled]

I'm used to using Pages on a MacBook which I love because I can use it to create/design anything I can imagine.

I'm now working in a school where we only have Windows computers. I'm being asked to make worksheets in Word but I have no idea how to position images and so on - I can't simply 'drop' them where I want them for example, or work out how to wrap the text around the image.

Is there such a thing as an online crash course in using Word for design-y purposes?

I've used Word for decades. It isn't really designed for graphics. But what I do is insert a text box and put the image inside it. Then edit the box if it' needs the borders taking off or the filling taken out. You should be able to move the image about then more easily.

The wrap text feature is in the format menu on my version - there are various options.

Use power point. Customise slide size to A4 dimensions.
Its much.better for aligning pictures, drawing diags etc...

Yes, power point is much more design friendly! Does your school not have publisher?

I have just discovered that if you use a blank Publisher document (look in templates) it is so much easier to position images and text boxes. It has changed my life.

Try canva.com, it's free online graphics software. There are lots of templates. You just have to be careful when choosing templates, as for some there's a cost.

Agree that a textbox makes things easier. Just insert pictures/shapes etc. Also, Insert SmartArt is pretty good for playing about with. It comes with pre-set changes of colour but you can play about with sizing, shape changing, colours etc. Can change whatever you want - add photos. etc.

To move or fix it, you need to use the box with a half circle over some lines which pops up on the right hand side of your image or is in the Insert (I think) tab - not got Word on this laptop so writing from memory.

I agree with scaryclown, PowerPoint is actually pretty good for this sort of thing. I'm a professional designer, and I sometimes use PowerPoint to put together creative newsletters/posters etc that are easily editable by non-designer colleagues (rather than making Adobe files that only I can open and edit).

Wrap text, that's it.

I use both systems - Apple at home, Microsoft at school. For worksheets at school I find Publisher the most flexible. It's not the easiest to get used to, but does a lot of the heavy lifting for you once you get the hang of it. Good luck!