Drafting a document in Microsoft Word is sometimes a big drama. Don’t worry: with a few small adjustments, you can already make a big difference.
Working with Microsoft Word is like learning to drive: without realizing it, you can develop some bad habits. These habits often make writing a Word document more complicated and time-consuming than it needs to be.
Time to change that. We’ve listed the biggest mistakes you can make as a Word user, with an appropriate solution.
The biggest mistakes you can make as a Microsoft Word user
Making mistakes in Microsoft Word can be quite frustrating. But with these tips, you’ll significantly reduce that risk. Here they come.
#1 Manually create bold headings
You may be used to selecting a text and pressing Ctrl+B to bold a heading. But besides being unnecessarily time-consuming, it can also cause formatting problems. Instead, use the Styles group on the Start tab. Place the cursor anywhere in the header and choose an appropriate header style for the document.
Header styles in Word ensure that your header is automatically connected to the text that follows it. This means that your header will never jump at the end of a page. This is convenient because it keeps everything neatly together.
WordArt (Image: Figma/Grisha)
#2 Using multiple fonts in Microsoft Word
Using multiple fonts in Microsoft Word is probably a fun way to try out different styles. Yet it makes your document very cluttered, making your text appear less believable.
Sure, you can use different font sizes for headings, bold or italicize important words, or change the font color. But do all this with the same basic font.
#3 Press enter to go to a new page
This is simple: don’t press Enter every time to go to the next page of your document. If you add text later, the extra space may end up in the middle of a page between two paragraphs.
Instead, go to the “Layout” tab, click on “End Marks” and choose the type you need.
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#4 Using the space bar to indent paragraphs
If you want to indent the first line of each paragraph on Microsoft Word, don’t use the space bar because it causes irregular indentations. Instead, use the paragraph style. Go to the “Start” tab and press the small arrow in the lower right corner next to “Paragraph.
Under the ‘Indentation’ section, under ‘Special’ choose ‘First Line’ and set the desired indentation distance. Click ‘OK’ and you will see that the first line of each paragraph in that style is neatly indented.
#5 Using WordArt
Don’t use WordArt if you want to keep your document professional, because it quickly looks hideous. And it can also cause your surrounding text to jump. If you want a clean and neat Word document, avoid WordArt altogether. If you do want to use it, do it as little as possible.
