Virtually each author or creator makes use of a phrase processor. It’s the default software for writing, modifying, and storing work.
Most phrase processors look slightly totally different on the floor, however underneath the hood, all of them share the identical core options.
You would possibly suppose you’re already utilizing yours to its full potential. However in actuality, many writers solely use a fraction of what these instruments can do.
That’s as a result of some really helpful phrase processor instruments are sometimes those writers by no means suppose to make use of.
Phrase processors can do greater than you would possibly suppose
It’s really easy to put in writing with a phrase processor. Merely open a brand new doc and begin typing.
That’s what makes them such a preferred writing software, since you don’t want to consider what’s taking place within the background.
However there’s so much happening that you simply don’t see. One easy process that you simply don’t discover is that your writing is being saved at common intervals to safeguard your work.
One other is that you simply would possibly see auto-complete recommendations on your subsequent phrases, which may save time.
You’ll all the time have a menu bar, however have you ever investigated the choices it offers you?
That’s the place you could find many extra options that aren’t solely helpful, however may make your phrase processor a extra full software on your writing.
Most writers solely scratch the floor and use essentially the most fundamental, seen options, resembling selecting fonts, utilizing daring or italics, and including bullet lists.
However by taking a couple of minutes to dig a bit deeper, you could find instruments, features, and options that may enhance your writing workflow.
Many helpful instruments are hidden away in menus and settings, in order that they’re simple to miss. Nonetheless, you’ll probably uncover one or two issues that may enable you make writing simpler and extra environment friendly, and even exchange a separate software you’re at present utilizing.
When you begin investigating your writing software program, it turns into clear that phrase processors supply way more sensible assist for writing than you would possibly realise.
10 Phrase processor instruments to discover
In my listing beneath, you’ll discover ten additional options, instruments, and features which can be frequent to all phrase processors.
Some would possibly use totally different menu labelling, naming, or placement, however they’re all there so that you can discover and use.
So take 5 or ten minutes to research and see how one can get essentially the most out of your present phrase processor.
1. Autosave and revision historical past
It’s not apparent, however your phrase processor is quietly serving to you by saving recurrently. However that’s not the one factor it’s doing.
It additionally makes use of auto-save to create a revision historical past you may entry in case you run right into a technical drawback or wish to return to an earlier model.
Right here’s a screenshot of the revisions out there for considered one of my paperwork.
It is without doubt one of the most helpful instruments that is really easy to overlook or overlook.
2. Feedback and notes inside a doc
You don’t want a separate note-taking app as a result of you are able to do your note-taking inside your doc.
Right here’s a fast take a look at the way it works.
Protecting notes contained in the doc can prevent effort and time by maintaining the whole lot collectively in a single file.
3. Match for goal templates
The essential default template is perhaps a fast and simple option to begin a brand new mission.
Nonetheless, creating templates for various writing initiatives, resembling weblog articles, essays, or books, will prevent time in the long term.
It’s simple to do. Merely format a doc on your wants after which “Save as Template.”
Then you definitely’ll have a brand new template alternative to make use of.
4. Phrase rely total or by choice
Each program has a phrase counter.
However in most, you may change the view to indicate web page rely, phrase rely, and generally even character rely.
Most phrase processors may rely phrases from chosen textual content if you wish to verify a bit of your writing.
5. Kinds (heading ranges)
Phrase processor kinds aren’t only for textual content and font formatting.
Utilizing headings in your doc is structural as a result of they may help you navigate your doc a lot quicker, as you will notice within the subsequent tip.
In your phrase processor, it is perhaps known as Doc Define, Define View, or View TOC.
While you activate this, you will notice your headings in a listing that you should utilize to rapidly navigate to totally different sections of your textual content.
This operate is especially helpful for lengthy paperwork or manuscripts.
Right here’s a picture of the hyperlinks in considered one of my paperwork.
You may as well use thumbnails to maneuver rapidly between elements of an extended doc.
7. Full-screen / focus mode
While you’re writing, the very last thing you need are distractions, ribbons, menu bars, or formatting choices.
Utilizing full-screen view is without doubt one of the only methods to cut back distractions.
One tip, although. Additionally, learn how to exit full-screen mode, as a result of on some instruments, it’s not all the time apparent. It’s usually a keystroke command.
8. Discover and exchange
You most likely use discover, however discover and exchange can prevent lots of time.
I exploit it continuously to make bulk adjustments, or extra usually, to seek out tabs, returns, or areas that seem when copying and pasting.
One other use is to vary a personality’s title, resembling from “Kathy” to “Cathy.”
9. Export codecs (RTF, EPUB)
You would possibly use export on events for DOCX in case your phrase processor doesn’t natively assist it.
But additionally check out different helpful export codecs.
RTF or perhaps TXT are two helpful codecs when publishing on-line as a result of these information include little or no, or no background code.
I all the time export to RTF earlier than pasting textual content into my WordPress editor. You are able to do the identical for any on-line running a blog or publishing platform.
One other is EPUB, as a result of it makes it really easy to verify a manuscript with an ereader or e-book app. It saves having to transform your doc with one other utility.
10. Thesaurus (built-in or built-in)
I exploit this so much! Relying in your software, it is perhaps built-in, otherwise you would possibly want so as to add it.
As I exploit Apple Pages, the thesaurus is a system software that integrates with Pages.
All I have to do is spotlight a phrase and click on “Lookup”.
Immediate and easy accessibility to a thesaurus is a must have software for any author.
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It can solely take you a couple of minutes to research these and plenty of different phrase processor instruments and choices that you should utilize.
You gained’t need or want to make use of all of them, however being conscious of the additional options you’re not utilizing would possibly uncover a time-saving or workflow enchancment you may undertake.
You could possibly additionally uncover that you simply don’t want to make use of additional instruments or apps as a result of your phrase processor can deal with it.
Meaning you may keep in a single place and focus absolutely in your writing.
Associated Studying: The Protected Approach To Write A E book With A Phrase Processor
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