advanced word processing skills essay

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30 Advanced Essay Words to Improve Your Grades

• Posted by by Cameron Smith
• 12 months ago
• Updated 2 months ago

In this guide, you’ll find 30 advanced essay words to use in academic writing. Advanced English words are great for making academic writing more impressive and persuasive, which has the potential to wow teachers and professors, and even improve your grades.

30 Advanced Essay Words

• Definition: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
• Example: The smartphone has become ubiquitous in modern society.
• Replaces: Common, widespread, prevalent.
• Definition: Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
• Example: Her eloquent speech captivated the audience.
• Replaces: Well-spoken, articulate.
• Definition: To make less severe, serious, or painful.
• Example: Planting more trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change.
• Replaces: Alleviate, lessen, reduce.
• Definition: In contrast or opposite to what was previously mentioned.
• Example: Some believe in climate change; conversely, others deny its existence.
• Replaces: On the other hand, in opposition.
• Definition: Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.
• Example: His ostensible reason for the delay was a traffic jam.
• Replaces: Apparent, seeming, supposed.
• Definition: A countless or extremely great number.
• Example: The internet offers a myriad of resources for research.
• Replaces: Countless, numerous.
• Definition: Exceeding what is necessary or required.
• Example: His lengthy introduction was filled with superfluous details.
• Replaces: Excessive, redundant.
• Definition: To cause something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly.
• Example: The economic crisis precipitated widespread unemployment.
• Replaces: Trigger, prompt.
• Definition: Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.
• Example: The beauty of the sunset over the ocean was ineffable.
• Replaces: Indescribable, inexpressible.
• Definition: Having knowledge or awareness of something.
• Example: She was cognizant of the risks involved in the project.
• Replaces: Aware, conscious.
• Definition: Relevant or applicable to a particular matter.
• Example: Please provide only pertinent information in your report.
• Replaces: Relevant, related.
• Definition: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
• Example: The researcher conducted a meticulous analysis of the data.
• Replaces: Thorough, careful.
• Definition: Capable of producing the desired result or effect.
• Example: The medication has proved to be efficacious in treating the disease.
• Replaces: Effective, successful.
• Definition: Mentioned earlier in the text or conversation.
• Example: The aforementioned study provides valuable insights.
• Replaces: Previously mentioned, previously discussed.
• Definition: To make a problem, situation, or condition worse.
• Example: His criticism only served to exacerbate the conflict.
• Replaces: Worsen, intensify.
• Definition: The state or capacity of being everywhere, especially at the same time.
• Example: The ubiquity of social media has changed how we communicate.
• Replaces: Omnipresence, pervasiveness.
• Definition: In every case or on every occasion; always.
• Example: The professor’s lectures are invariably informative.
• Replaces: Always, consistently.
• Definition: To be a perfect example or representation of something.
• Example: The city’s skyline epitomizes modern architecture.
• Replaces: Symbolize, represent.
• Definition: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
• Example: The cacophony of car horns during rush hour was deafening.
• Replaces: Discord, noise.
• Definition: A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain advantage.
• Example: He surrounded himself with sycophants who praised his every move.
• Replaces: Flatterer, yes-man.
• Definition: To render unclear, obscure, or unintelligible.
• Example: The politician attempted to obfuscate the details of the scandal.
• Replaces: Confuse, obscure.
• Definition: Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment.
• Example: Her sagacious advice guided the team to success.
• Replaces: Wise, insightful.
• Definition: Not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous.
• Example: His repeated explanations were redundant and added no value.
• Replaces: Unnecessary, surplus.
• Definition: Unwilling or refusing to change one’s views or to agree about something.
• Example: The intransigent negotiators couldn’t reach a compromise.
• Replaces: Unyielding, stubborn.
• Definition: Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.
• Example: The mansion’s ostentatious decorations were overwhelming.
• Replaces: Showy, extravagant.
• Definition: A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition.
• Example: She had a proclivity for taking risks in her business ventures.
• Replaces: Tendency, inclination.
• Definition: Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
• Example: The artist’s enigmatic paintings left viewers puzzled.
• Replaces: Mysterious, cryptic.
• Definition: Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
• Example: The pernicious influence of gossip can damage reputations.
• Replaces: Harmful, destructive.
• Definition: Shining with great brightness.
• Example: The bride looked resplendent in her wedding gown.
• Replaces: Radiant, splendid.
• Definition: Optimistic, especially in a difficult or challenging situation.
• Example: Despite the setbacks, he remained sanguine.
• Replaces: Optimistic, hopeful.

Using these advanced words in your essays can elevate your writing, making it more precise, engaging, and impactful.

As you work on your essays, consider the nuanced meanings and applications of these advanced words, and use them judiciously to enhance the quality of your academic writing.

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith is an English Communication Coach based in Vancouver, Canada. He's the founder of Learn English Every Day, and he's on a mission to help millions of people speak English with confidence. If you want longer video content, please follow me on YouTube for fun English lessons and helpful learning resources!

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• Computer-Based Writing

Introduction

Learning objectives.

• demonstrate proficiency with basic word processor features
• demonstrate proficiency with intermediate word processor features
• demonstrate proficiency with advanced word processor features

Popular culture holds a romantic image of writers as solitary figures, scribbling with pen and paper in attics by candlelight.

Realistically speaking, though, most writing we do these days is electronic. While there is great joy in putting pencil to paper, keyboarding and word processing are survival skills in college. Your professors will expect much of the work you do for classes to be typed, and either printed or submitted electronically. Additionally, most employers will expect and require you to be comfortable with using Microsoft Word and similar programs.

This section is designed to hold a little something for everyone. The video series walks viewers through features of Microsoft Word. Start at the level that seems the best fit for you. Even if you’re a seasoned word processor, you’ll encounter some tips that will save you time and effort in formatting documents for college.

Beginning Word Processing Skills

Most writing you do for college will need to be typed, and often submitted electronically. Mastering the basics of word processing tools will make this process much more comfortable to do.

The most popular word processing program is Microsoft Word, part of the Microsoft Office Suite. Most college computer labs have this program available, and you can often purchase it for a reduced rate through your college bookstore.

Some classes will explicitly require you to use Microsoft Word for your classwork. Otherwise, you’re free to use whatever program you wish. Apple’s Pages and Google’s Google Docs, are two other widely-used examples.

Intermediate Word Processing Skills

Now that you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to focus on the parts of word processing that make life easier!

Advanced Word Processing Skills

Even people who have been using word processors for years often don’t know about some of the advanced tips below.

Free Alternatives to Word

Word is the most common word processor, but it’s expensive, especially if it didn’t come with the computer you bought. Here are some free options to explore as an alternative.

• Office Online .  You’ll need to register with an account, but can then access your saved files from any internet-connected device.
• OpenOffice .  This is software you download on your computer, so you don’t have to be online to use it.
• LibreOffice . Similar to OpenOffice, you download this software directly to your computer.
• Google Drive . Connected to a Gmail / Google personal account, this flexible tool lets you access your saved files from any internet-connected device. You can also download files to work on offline, and they will automatically sync when you go online again.
• Outcome: Computer-Based Writing. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Self Check. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Image of girls at computers. Authored by : World Bank Photo Collection. Located at : https://flic.kr/p/8rMqoS . License : CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
• How to make a hanging indent. Authored by : RVCCLibrary. Located at : https://youtu.be/n7rtKPYfhk0 . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Word 2013: Getting to Know Word. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/ySeeQFCFhQo . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Creating and Opening Documents. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/H0QJXbklpgQ . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Saving and Sharing Documents. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/QZhgurTl6V0 . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Text Basics. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/Y2wRglqFDfw . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Printing Documents. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/L7qB3cP6euA . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Line and Paragraph Spacing. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/lgRz00IiWNg . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Spelling and Grammar. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/-T4sKrH4l40 . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Headers, Footers, and Page Numbers. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/BU6tOwzWtY8 . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Track Changes and Comments. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/FVG2au1kuCs . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• How to get a word count from Microsoft Word 2013 document. Authored by : iYogi. Located at : https://youtu.be/j-G508FXOxo . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Create a Bibliography using MS Word 2013. Authored by : Lindsay Henning. Located at : https://youtu.be/I-IEWabgf0I . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Pictures and Text Wrapping. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/LmllSsu2--M . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• How to Put Words in Alphabetical Order in Microsoft Word 2007. Authored by : eHowTech. Located at : https://youtu.be/7oQqC7bSy8k . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Change Default Formatting: Microsoft Word 2013. Authored by : Greg Stager. Located at : https://youtu.be/M61X8x8_Fp8 . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Table of Contents

Instructor Resources (available upon sign-in)

• Overview of Instructor Resources
• Quiz Survey

Reading: Types of Reading Material

• Introduction to Reading
• Outcome: Types of Reading Material
• Characteristics of Texts, Part 1
• Characteristics of Texts, Part 2
• Characteristics of Texts, Part 3
• Characteristics of Texts, Conclusion
• Self Check: Types of Writing

Reading: Reading Strategies

• Outcome: Reading Strategies
• The Rhetorical Situation
• Academic Reading Strategies
• Self Check: Reading Strategies

Reading: Specialized Reading Strategies

• Outcome: Specialized Reading Strategies
• Online Reading Comprehension
• How to Read Effectively in Math
• How to Read Effectively in the Social Sciences
• How to Read Effectively in the Sciences
• 5 Step Approach for Reading Charts and Graphs
• Self Check: Specialized Reading Strategies

Reading: Vocabulary

• Outcome: Vocabulary
• Strategies to Improve Your Vocabulary
• Using Context Clues
• The Relationship Between Reading and Vocabulary
• Self Check: Vocabulary

Reading: Thesis

• Outcome: Thesis
• Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements
• The Organizational Statement
• Self Check: Thesis

Reading: Supporting Claims

• Outcome: Supporting Claims
• Types of Support
• Supporting Claims
• Self Check: Supporting Claims

Reading: Logic and Structure

• Outcome: Logic and Structure
• Rhetorical Modes
• Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
• Diagramming and Evaluating Arguments
• Logical Fallacies
• Evaluating Appeals to Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
• Self Check: Logic and Structure

Reading: Summary Skills

• Outcome: Summary Skills
• How to Annotate
• Paraphrasing
• Quote Bombs
• Summary Writing
• Self Check: Summary Skills
• Conclusion to Reading

Writing Process: Topic Selection

• Introduction to Writing Process
• Outcome: Topic Selection
• Starting a Paper
• Choosing and Developing Topics
• Back to the Future of Topics
• Developing Your Topic
• Self Check: Topic Selection

Writing Process: Prewriting

• Outcome: Prewriting
• Prewriting Strategies for Diverse Learners
• Rhetorical Context
• Working Thesis Statements
• Self Check: Prewriting

Writing Process: Finding Evidence

• Outcome: Finding Evidence
• Using Personal Examples
• Performing Background Research
• Listening to Sources, Talking to Sources
• Self Check: Finding Evidence

Writing Process: Organizing

• Outcome: Organizing
• Moving Beyond the Five-Paragraph Theme
• Introduction to Argument
• The Three-Story Thesis
• Organically Structured Arguments
• Logic and Structure
• The Perfect Paragraph
• Introductions and Conclusions
• Self Check: Organizing

Writing Process: Drafting

• Outcome: Drafting
• From Outlining to Drafting
• Flash Drafts
• Self Check: Drafting

Writing Process: Revising

• Outcome: Revising
• Seeking Input from Others
• Responding to Input from Others
• The Art of Re-Seeing
• Higher Order Concerns
• Self Check: Revising

Writing Process: Proofreading

• Outcome: Proofreading
• Lower Order Concerns
• Proofreading Advice
• "Correctness" in Writing
• The Importance of Spelling
• Punctuation Concerns
• Self Check: Proofreading
• Conclusion to Writing Process

Research Process: Finding Sources

• Introduction to Research Process
• Outcome: Finding Sources
• The Research Process
• Finding Sources
• What are Scholarly Articles?
• Finding Scholarly Articles and Using Databases
• Database Searching
• Advanced Search Strategies
• Preliminary Research Strategies
• Reading and Using Scholarly Sources
• Self Check: Finding Sources

Research Process: Source Analysis

• Outcome: Source Analysis
• Evaluating Sources
• CRAAP Analysis
• Evaluating Websites
• Synthesizing Sources
• Self Check: Source Analysis

Research Process: Writing Ethically

• Outcome: Writing Ethically
• Academic Integrity
• Defining Plagiarism
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Using Sources in Your Writing
• Self Check: Writing Ethically

Research Process: MLA Documentation

• Introduction to MLA Documentation
• Outcome: MLA Documentation
• MLA Document Formatting
• MLA Works Cited
• Creating MLA Citations
• MLA In-Text Citations
• Self Check: MLA Documentation
• Conclusion to Research Process

Grammar: Nouns and Pronouns

• Introduction to Grammar
• Outcome: Nouns and Pronouns
• Pronoun Cases and Types
• Pronoun Antecedents
• Try It: Nouns and Pronouns
• Self Check: Nouns and Pronouns

Grammar: Verbs

• Outcome: Verbs
• Verb Tenses and Agreement
• Non-Finite Verbs
• Complex Verb Tenses
• Try It: Verbs
• Self Check: Verbs

Grammar: Other Parts of Speech

• Outcome: Other Parts of Speech
• Comparing Adjectives and Adverbs
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Conjunctions
• Prepositions
• Try It: Other Parts of Speech
• Self Check: Other Parts of Speech

Grammar: Punctuation

• Outcome: Punctuation
• End Punctuation
• Hyphens and Dashes
• Apostrophes and Quotation Marks
• Brackets, Parentheses, and Ellipses
• Semicolons and Colons
• Try It: Punctuation
• Self Check: Punctuation

Grammar: Sentence Structure

• Outcome: Sentence Structure
• Parts of a Sentence
• Common Sentence Structures
• Run-on Sentences
• Sentence Fragments
• Parallel Structure
• Try It: Sentence Structure
• Self Check: Sentence Structure

Grammar: Voice

• Outcome: Voice
• Active and Passive Voice
• Using the Passive Voice
• Conclusion to Grammar
• Try It: Voice
• Self Check: Voice

Success Skills

• Introduction to Success Skills
• Habits for Success
• Critical Thinking
• Time Management
• Writing in College
• Conclusion to Success Skills

Introduction to College Composition

Video: advanced word processing skills, hanging indents.

Bibliography Pages

Alphabetizing bibliographies (and other lists), inserting pictures.

Change Default Settings

Free alternatives to word.

• Office Online .  You'll need to register with an account, but can then access your saved files from any internet-connected device.
• OpenOffice .  This is software you download on your computer, so you don't have to be online to use it.
• LibreOffice . Similar to OpenOffice, you download this software directly to your computer.
• Google Drive . Connected to a Gmail / Google personal account, this flexible tool lets you access your saved files from any internet-connected device.  You can also download files to work on offline, and they will automatically sync when you go online again.

Licenses and Attributions

Cc licensed content, shared previously.

• How to make a hanging indent. Authored by : RVCCLibrary. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Change Default Formatting: Microsoft Word 2013. Authored by : Greg Stager. License : CC BY: Attribution

All rights reserved content

• Create a Bibliography using MS Word 2013. Authored by : Lindsay Henning. License : All Rights Reserved . License terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Pictures and Text Wrapping. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. License : All Rights Reserved . License terms : Standard YouTube License
• How to Put Words in Alphabetical Order in Microsoft Word 2007. Authored by : eHowTech. License : All Rights Reserved . License terms : Standard YouTube License

• Email Sign-Up

Advanced Word Processing Lessons 56-110: Microsoft® Word 2016, Spiral bound Version | 20th Edition

Available study tools, keyboarding and word processing essentials lessons 1-55: microsoft® word 2016, spiral bound version, keyboarding course lessons 1-25, keyboarding and word processing complete course lessons 1-110: microsoft® word 2016, about this product.

This robust learning package integrates advanced word processing, document formatting and design, and communication skills within a single text, along with a strong emphasis on honing skills by competing projects in a realistic office environment. Using Microsoft® Word 2016, students will format advanced business correspondence, tables, reports, mail merge files, graphics, and a broad range of common document types, including meeting, travel, news, legal, medical, and human resources/employment, as well as practicing real-time co-authoring on OneDrive. The text includes nine modular projects and two comprehensive projects to help students apply what they learn and prepare to be productive immediately when beginning their careers. Combined with Skills Assessment Manager (SAM)—an interactive, online learning and testing tool—the text makes your course easier to teach and manage by enabling students to work independently from anywhere.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

Chapter 8 Technology Skills

8.1 Word Processing

Word processing programs are invaluable tools for doing your assignments and writing essays. If you are someone who still likes to handwrite assignments, consider this: one of the most useful aspects of doing assignments on a computer is the ability to make changes. You can go back and reword things, correct mistakes, add in extra information to clarify issues or give examples, and reorganize your paper moving a paragraph from one place in your assignment to another using cut and paste and not having to retype it. It’s especially useful if your instructor asks you to make changes to your assignment. You can start from your existing document and add to, summarize, or make your writing more concise. Most people are familiar with using at least one word processing program such as Microsoft Word, WordPad, or OpenOffice Writer. Many lap tops come pre-loaded with word processing software.

When choosing software you need to keep a few things in mind. First, you want documents that others can read. If the software you use produces documents that can’t be read by anyone that doesn’t have the same software, then it becomes frustrating. Also, you want to have some nice features with your software. Formatting features such as bolding , indenting, bullets, different font sizes, styles, and colours, underlining , italicizing ,  shading, inserting captions, and highlighting, to name a few, are great features to make your documents visually appealing and clearer to read. Other features such as being able to insert and size charts and tables, pictures, headers and footers, symbols, subscripts and superscripts – all help to make creating documents easier. Having the ability to add hyperlinks to internet sites and videos enhances your documents as well. Using headings and features such as “find and replace” all add convenience and efficiency. Having the ability to track changes is a really useful tool for a student who is trying to get feedback from others or working on a group assignment.

Author’s Story

While working on my Master’s, I had many group assignments online. We had to share documents all the time, so we used a tool to share the work on the web and we’d track suggested changes from the different group members. On one project, all the members used Microsoft Word except for one student who used an unfamiliar word processing software which didn’t work well with Word. She could never see our tracked changes, and we couldn’t see her changes. It became quite frustrating and ultimately cost us precious time. It’s worth having a discussion at the beginning of a group project about what software everyone is using, and make sure it is all compatible.

— Mary Shier, College of the Rockies

Microsoft Word is a common word processing software. Usually if you are a post-secondary student taking courses from an accredited school, you can have access to a free download of Microsoft Word for a year. You just need an email address from the institution you are attending. Check out your institution’s website or contact their IT department for more information.

Spelling and grammar tools are almost standard in most programs now. They help identify if you’ve spelled a word incorrectly or if your sentence is grammatically incorrect. It’s not perfect and it sometimes doesn’t catch things that need fixing, or sometimes makes suggestions that weren’t what you intended. So you still have to proof-read your work with a critical eye. If your program isn’t set to perform spelling and grammatical checks automatically, you may want to go into settings and set it up for automatic checking, or at least perform a check every now and again as you go along.

The thesaurus and synonym tools are extremely useful when you are trying to think of words while writing assignments.  You can enter the word that you want to replace and the software will suggest alternate words. It  is very useful when you can’t think of the right word you want to use, when you have used the same word repeatedly and you don’t want to sound repetitive, or when you want to use a more interesting or engaging word. In MS Word and some other programs, when you are writing and use a word you’d like to replace, right click on the word, choose synonyms and a variety of words to choose from will appear. Thesauruses and synonym tools help writers make their writing more descriptive, expressive, and articulate.

Synonym Finder:

On first draft, a student wrote, “My instructor is not only a great teacher and really helpful, but she is really nice.” While proof-reading, the student realized that the word, nice , is fairly nondescript and doesn’t tell the reader much. Not only that, but they had used it already several times earlier in their paper in a different context, so they wanted to use a different word so as not to be too repetitive. They used the synonym tool and it gave them the options of enjoyable, agreeable, pleasant, good, fine, lovely, amusing, wonderful, kind,  polite courteous, and gracious. They thought about which, if any, of these words better described what they wanted to say. Some weren’t applicable in this case, such as amusing or courteous , as these weren’t what they intended. They ended up choosing wonderful .

They thought about why they think their instructor is nice or wonderful. It caused them to think more clearly about what they wanted to say. They then realized that it was because their instructor cared about their success and encouraged them.  By going through this process using the synonym finder and taking the time to consider what they wanted to say, they improved their writing and made it more descriptive.

• First draft: My instructor is not only a great teacher and really helpful, but she is really nice.
• Next draft: My instructor is not only a great teacher and really helpful, but she is really wonderful. She takes great interest in her students’ success and encourages each of them personally. She believed in me and made me believe in myself which made me strive far beyond what I ever expected.

Using tools in your word processing programs can aid you in producing better writing.

Thesauruses and synonym finders are also useful for discovering definitions of words, along with online dictionaries and word-web apps. As you are reading text and come across words you don’t know the meanings of, you can use these tools to quickly give you context for and understanding of your reading. Gone are the days when you had to take the time to physically get up, find a dictionary in book form, and look up the word by scanning through the pages to find the meaning of a word. Now it is as quick as right-clicking on your online text, or typing the word into an app on your phone to find the meaning. In seconds you can be back reading your text with new enlightenment.

If you currently use a good word processing program, check to see if you are able to access its many features. You’ll likely never have use for all the features but some are very handy for you as a student. For example, a word processing program with a built in tool for referencing sources in APA or MLA format is extremely useful and time saving when writing research papers.

If you aren’t familiar with these tools, get familiar by using one of these options:

• Try doing an internet search on how to use these features in your documents.
• Search YouTube and search for instructional videos on using these features.
• Take a short continuing education course. Colleges often have short evening or weekend courses to help people get familiar with features on their word processing programs.
• Find a short online course that can lead you through the many features.

Learning about the features in your word processing program will ultimately save you a lot of time and you will be able to produce documents that are visually appealing and organized.

During my online Master’s program, it became a signature feature for me to include a chart or graph in all my assignments. At first the reason it was to organize the information, and it was fun to create them. But then I realized the instructors loved them and they always commented on them. Creating charts and graphs went onto my check list for assignments that I always used before handing an assignment in. It was on the list along with proof-reading, editing, checking my references, checking formatting, etc. Try adding a chart to your next assignment. Your instructor will love it!

Exercise: Explore Word Processing Features

Create a short Word document. You can choose the topic for your document. Some possibilities include writing about your family, your job, a pet, a holiday, a product you just purchased, or how to make a good cup of coffee. The topic is your choice, but only choose one.

Demonstrate three or more word processing features that you haven’t used before or haven’t used much. It can be as simple as changing fonts or using italics. It can be using the synonym tool to find better words for your document. It can be inserting clip art, creating a chart, or inserting a photograph. You can use any of the features listed in this section, or some that you have discovered on your own. Then demonstrate them in your document in a relevant way.

At the end of your document, list the features that you are highlighting. If you used the synonym tool or thesaurus, note the words you started and ended with. Note the features you have never used before, if applicable. What features did you find most useful?

Student Success Copyright © 2020 by Mary Shier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Advanced Microsoft Office skills assessment: Full guide

Some jobs require candidates to have only a basic understanding of the Microsoft Office Suite. For roles that require collaboration between multiple teams or heavy data analysis, on the other hand, your ideal candidates need to know more than just the basics.

But, distinguishing between general and advanced Microsoft Office skills can be challenging, and assessing these skills is even more so. And failing to understand and assess advanced Microsoft Office skills accurately can result in steeper learning curves for new hires, less efficient teams, reduced productivity, and other challenges.

Fortunately, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll explain what these advanced skills are, which skills to look for when hiring, and how to use an advanced Microsoft Office skills assessment to test candidates and inform your hiring decisions.

Table of contents

What are advanced microsoft office skills, advanced microsoft office skills to look for, which roles require advanced microsoft office testing, how to test a candidate’s advanced microsoft office skills, start assessing your candidates with testgorilla  .

Advanced Microsoft Office skills go beyond the basic actions you can complete in the Microsoft Office suite. They require a deep understanding of and proficiency in using various features and tools within Microsoft Office applications. 

Microsoft Office includes popular tools like:

PowerPoint , used to create presentations using slides

Word , used to create text documents such as letters and reports

Teams , used for workspace chats and video conferencing

Excel , used to calculate, format, and organize data in spreadsheets

Outlook , used for email communication within the Microsoft Exchange Server

SharePoint , used to create websites

Access , used to store and organize large amounts of data

Your candidates might use basic Microsoft Office skills to carry out everyday tasks and functions in their work, like creating, editing, and managing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and emails. These are the skills your candidates must know to begin learning advanced Microsoft Office skills.

For instance, advanced Microsoft users can create intricately designed presentations in PowerPoint, create automations in Outlook, and develop complex algorithms or data models in Excel.

When assessing candidates for advanced Microsoft Office skills, look for the core abilities and specific tool proficiencies below. Candidates who master these skills can use the full potential of Office applications to handle complex tasks and improve your organization’s productivity and efficiency.

Advanced Excel Skills

Auditing formulas and using functions like VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and INDEX-MATCH

Using pivot tables and pivot charts to summarize and analyze data

Implementing macros and automation to streamline repetitive actions

Applying complex data analysis and modeling when using data

Using data validation and conditional formatting

Using array formulas and functions for multiple simultaneous calculations

Transforming data using Power Query 

Advanced Word skills

Using advanced formatting, such as styles and creating templates

Personalizing communication using mail merge

Using table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, and bibliographies 

Customizing page layouts

Collaborating on documents using whiteboards and tracking changes

Using cross-references and bookmarks

Automating tables of figures and indexes

Using fields to insert dynamic content, like dates, automatically 

Creating interactive fields like dropdown menus and checkboxes

Adding watermarks to documents

Inserting files from other Office applications, such as an Excel spreadsheet

Advanced PowerPoint skills

Creating interactive presentations with hyperlinks and buttons

Creating and using animations and transitions

Customizing slide masters

Designing custom motion paths for objects in slides

Embedding multimedia elements, like audio, video, and quizzes

Using collaborative editing and comments

Recording presentations with voiceover commentary 

Advanced Outlook skills

Efficiently managing inboxes by creating advanced rules, filters, folders to organize emails by sender, subject, and other criteria

Creating and using email templates

Developing multiple email signatures for specific recipients and contexts

Configuring out-of-office and automated responses

Using Quick Steps to automate tasks, like email forwarding

Effectively managing, sharing, and scheduling calendars

Clearly organizing contacts and tasks

Using advanced email search

Creating conditional formatting for email fonts and signatures based on certain conditions

Collaborating using shared calendars, setting custom access permissions for colleagues

Advanced Access skills

Creating complex databases and tables using relational database design principles such as normalization

Developing fields, expressions, and conditional logic for data gathering

Designing and running advanced queries using SQL (Structured Query Language)

Building relationships between tables

Automating tasks with macros and triggering actions based on user inputs

Creating forms for data input

Designing custom reports and visualizations

Building parameterized queries to collect user input

Dividing databases into two parts: a front-end for forms or reports and a back-end for tables

Advanced OneNote skills

Organizing notes using custom notebooks, sections, and pages

Creating and using note templates

Collaborating on and sharing notebooks

Embedding files, images, and videos

Tagging and categorizing notes

Searching and indexing content

Linking notes and creating to-do lists

Using math tools to develop and edit equations 

Advanced SharePoint skills

Creating and managing site structures, collections, and subsites, as well as document libraries and lists

Developing custom site templates

Designing forms using ​​Microsoft InfoPath and using them within SharePoint

Using versioning and document sets to manage documents

Setting up permissions and access controls

Using SharePoint Designer to create custom workflows

Integrating with other Office apps

Creating and customizing web pages

Collaborating on team sites and project management

Advanced Teams skills

Using advanced meeting options like breakout rooms and virtual lobbies

Implementing advanced settings like queues and attendants for inbound calls

Pinning files and messages within Teams chat conversations

Sharing images, code, and other multimedia and rich text formatting within Teams messages

Using keyboard shortcuts to prompt certain actions

Hosing large meetings or virtual events with audience management tools

Creating and managing channels with user permissions, names, descriptions, and pinned posts

Implementing Microsoft Bot Framework to create task automations within Teams

Managing and integrating tasks with Microsoft Planner

Thanks to its many useful functions, Microsoft Office is a tech staple across various job roles in countless industries. Some roles rely on different applications and features, and, as a result, many companies using the software benefit from employees with advanced Microsoft Office skills.

Here are some roles that require advanced Microsoft Office testing:

Customer service

Customer service workers typically need to be proficient in tools such as Excel and Access that enable them to communicate with customers and other departments.

Administrative roles

Roles that include data entry, scheduling, and other admin tasks require a keen understanding of Microsoft Office programs like Team, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Using a pre-employment assessment, you can effectively test for word processing skills and other abilities.

Sales and marketing 

Sales and marketing teams measure successes in numbers. As a result, sales and marketing personnel should be well-versed in Word, Excel, or Access.  

Office employees

Office employees’ tasks usually involve presentations, data analysis, and reporting. To perform these tasks efficiently, they need solid PowerPoint and Excel skills. 

Finance positions

Much like sales and marketing, finances are all about the numbers. To create reports, measure success, and quantify progress and failures, finance and accounting roles typically require strong Microsoft Office skills, especially in Excel. 

Other roles

Jobs that involve data journalism, retail management, project management, and business analysis also benefit from using Microsoft Office apps. Tools such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access are very useful in these fields. 

While candidates may list many Office skills on their resume, this may not reflect their proficiency. Pre-employment screening , on the other hand, enables you to assess the extent of their Microsoft Office skills properly. 

In turn, this helps you identify candidates who can effectively use advanced Office features, enabling them to contribute to projects and tasks requiring proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. 

Here's how to effectively employ advanced Microsoft Office skills assessments:

Define your requirements

Before testing candidates, clearly outline the specific skills and tasks relevant to the role. Then, determine which Microsoft Office applications and functions are critical for the position. 

If you’re hiring for a newly created position and have yet to identify what Microsoft Office tools are needed for the role, examine the job’s description and identify the skills the employee needs to carry out their core functions.

For example, does this role require them to collect employee data for payroll and other documentation? Excel could be a valuable tool here. Will your employee need to host or participate in multiple virtual meetings and other forms of communication? Teams and Outlook offer many functions that seamlessly aid that communication. 

Select the right tests

Once you’ve identified the role’s skill requirements, choose the appropriate testing tools or platforms that provide comprehensive assessments for each Microsoft Office application. 

TestGorilla is an excellent choice. Our platform offers more than 300 expert-created, scientifically backed tests – including dedicated tests to assess advanced skills in Excel , Word , PowerPoint , Outlook , and SharePoint . 

You can combine up to five tests to create custom assessments, making it easy to evaluate candidates across a handful of Office applications in a single go. You can also add custom questions to assessments, so you can be sure you’re getting the exact insight you’re after. 

Choose realistic scenarios

When creating custom questions for assessments, choose scenarios that simulate real-world tasks the candidate would encounter in the role. 

For instance, to test the Excel skills of a candidate applying for a position in data analytics, you could create questions involving chart creation, formula usage, and data analysis. They’ll need these skills to effectively model, illustrate, and gain insights from the data they collect. 

Mix different question types

Incorporate various question types, such as multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended questions that serve as practical assignments. This ensures a well-rounded assessment of your candidate's skills, as it helps you gather both qualitative (unmeasurable) and quantitative (measurable) data. 

Plus, varied question types enable you to evaluate candidates’ factual knowledge (through multiple choice questions) and their unique approaches to situations (by completing practical assignments). 

Assess advanced features

Of course, be sure your tests include questions that cover advanced features of each application – such as pivot tables in Excel, advanced formatting in Word, and intricate animations in PowerPoint. 

For example, you might task a marketing manager applicant with creating a campaign pitch presentation for a client using PowerPoint to test for advanced Microsoft PowerPoint skills . You could provide them with some data on the client in an Excel sheet, images, and any other relevant information they could use to create a pitch. A candidate with advanced PowerPoint skills would create a compelling presentation using charts created in Excel, SmartArt, and image editing.   

Test time management

Assign a reasonable time limit for each test. This measures not only the candidate's skills but also their ability to work under pressure. In addition, it ensures candidates don’t feel overwhelmed and can perform to the best of their ability.

For example, consider a customer service task that requires a candidate to create short reports for each call. In this scenario, your candidate manages approximately 35 calls per day, and each call typically lasts 10 minutes. You can test your candidate’s ability to complete updates to an existing Excel sheet for three of these calls in a set timeframe of about 30 minutes. 

Simulate collaboration

Some roles require collaborative work. Provide tasks where candidates must collaborate on a shared document using features like Track Changes or co-authoring. 

For example, you might test an HR candidate by tasking them with polishing up an internal policy in a Word document that one of your interns wrote using the co-authoring feature.

Evaluate for accuracy and efficiency

Assess both the correctness and efficiency of the candidate's work. Advanced users should demonstrate not only accurate results but also streamlined and effective approaches. 

For example, for an Excel exercise, provide your candidate with a list of inventory and their prices, then ask them to create tables and provide totals using formulas instead of manually calculating the figures.

After the assessment, review the candidate's performance. Does your candidate display strong application skills, creative problem-solving, and adaptability to various tasks ? These traits are all crucial to efficiency on the job. 

Combine them with other assessments

Consider complementing Microsoft Office skills tests with other candidate skills assessments like personality tests and cognitive ability assessments. This provides a comprehensive evaluation of each candidate’s suitability for the role.

Provide feedback

Offer your candidates constructive feedback and share their test results with them. You can then help them better understand their strengths and weaknesses while showcasing your commitment to transparency.

Advanced Microsoft Office skills involve more than the ability to create basic documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Skilled Office users have in-depth knowledge and can use the suite of applications to its full potential to improve your business’s output and efficiency. 

To ensure you’re hiring truly skilled candidates, incorporate a comprehensive advanced Microsoft Office skills assessment into your recruitment process. With TestGorilla, this is a snap. Our platform offers more than 300 research-backed tests , including advanced tests for Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint. 

Take our quick product tour and sign up for your free TestGorilla plan today to start hiring top talent for your team. 

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10 Advanced Microsoft Word Features That'll Make Your Life Easier

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Everyone knows Clippy. But are you friends with Pilcrow? If you are, then you know more about Microsoft Word than most people do. Do you know about widow lines? The extended clipboard?

There are plenty of lesser-known Microsoft Word features that you should know about if you want to be truly proficient with the software. Here are some advanced Microsoft Word features that can make your work and life easier.

1. Be Distraction Free: Hide the Ribbon and Go Full Screen

Writers want peace. Since MS Word is packed full of features, it can feel a bit cluttered when you just want a distraction-free view of the text.

Hide the Ribbon Menu

You can use a quick shortcut to hide the Ribbon. Press Ctrl + F1 to toggle the Ribbon from view.

You can also change the behavior of the Ribbon to hide automatically when you don't need it. To do this, click the Ribbon Display Options icon (next to the minimize icon) and select Auto-hide Ribbon .

Distraction-free Reading

Distraction-free reading is a more specialized feature available in Word 2010 onwards. Though primarily designed for touch-enabled tablets, the Read Mode works well on an everyday laptop as well. To access it quickly, press Alt , followed by W + F simultaneously.

Optionally, use the buttons:

• View > Read Mode (on the Ribbon menu).
• The Read Mode button on the right (on the Status Bar).

You can double-tap with your finger or double-click with your mouse to zoom in and make graphics like tables, charts and images fill the screen.

2. Reorganize With the Outline View

Outlining your main ideas and completing that first draft quickly is the surefire tip for writing productivity. If used well, the Outline View can increase your productivity with large documents by 50%.

On the Ribbon, go to the View tab and click Outline .

Outline View helps you fine-tune the organization of complex documents by reordering text blocks and nine levels of headings. Outline View brings up a special toolbar called Outlining , with controls for promoting or demoting selected text. Use the controls to hide or display selected text.

• Want to get to a specific point in a long document? Switch to Outline View and jump to a specific heading level.
• Want to draft quickly? Plan out the main sections on Outline View and then switch to the other layouts to write the body.
• Want to reorganize a report by moving huge blocks of text? Drag and drop a heading to move not only that heading, but all the sublevels under it and the body text. Use the upward-downward arrows to work them.
• Want to quickly format headings? Use Headlines 1, 2, and 3 instead of changing the size and using uppercase.

3. Use Word as a Quick Brainstorming Tool

Double-click anywhere and begin typing. You don't need to bother with positioning a cursor if you don't want to. This is the closest MS Word comes to freestyle writing. Click and Type has existed since Word 2002. The feature works only in the Print Layout view or in Web Layout view.

Though this is very useful for inserting text and graphics, you can also use it for impromptu brainstorming as a free-form mindmapping tool .

4. Convert Tables to Graphs in 3-Steps

Take your pick: a neatly formatted table with lots of data or a nicely designed chart visualizing that data for you?

Being visual creatures, it is often a no-brainer to opt for the latter. Word makes it easy to convert tabular information into a chart. When you don't have too much of tabular data, create a chart in Word instead of over-killing with Excel. Select the table with the data and follow three steps:

• Click on the Insert tab on the Ribbon.
• Click the Object tool within the Text group and open the Object dialog box .
• From the list of Object Types , choose Microsoft Graph Chart . Click OK .

Word displays the tabular data as a neat column chart. Modify the data sheet that appears.

You can also format this graph with a different chart type. To do this:

• Double-click your chart.
• Right-click in the white space that's within the bounding box of the graphic.
• Select Chart Type .

You can also use Microsoft Word to create stunning flowcharts with the shapes feature.

5. Write Equations in Word

It's not only Excel formulas that are amazing . The Equation Editor has always been an important feature of MS Word. In the latest versions of Word, it is simply known as Equation. To use it, choose Insert > Equation > Insert New Equation .

Use the Equation Toolbar to design your own advanced equations for mathematics, physics, or chemistry. Word gives you many well-known equations to insert with just a click.

6. Hold 24 Items in the Clipboard

The Office clipboard can hold 24 items and its interoperable between all Office files. In the Home tab, click the little drop-down arrow next to Clipboard to reveal the panel on the left. For the shortcut, press Ctrl + C twice to open the Clipboard Panel.

This holding capacity enables you to cut and copy multiple elements and move them anywhere within the document or between open Office programs.

Use the clipboard's Options to control its functions. For instance, you can disable the Show Status Near Taskbar When Copying that displays the number of items you've copied in the bottom-right corner of the Word window. It's enabled by default.

Related: How to Use Headers and Footers in Microsoft Word Like a Pro

7. Translate Languages on the Go

Microsoft Office uses Microsoft Translator to handle all translations. Use the Translate feature from the Review tab. Translate a word or a sentence. Or, translate the entire document and display it in a separate Word document.

The Translator tab appears on the right and you can choose and change languages. Use this sidebar to highlight each word and explore their meaning in full.

8. Beautify Fonts with Kerning

Kerning adjusts the space between two individual letters for a better visual look. When designing a document, each typeface requires its own specific kerning. Kerning becomes important when you are designing with large fonts on Word, like on an ebook cover.

Word has kerning switched off by default, and normally you don't need to bother with it. But let's say you need to submit a five-page homework. Save effort by increasing the width between the letters instead of writing fluff!

Click the little pop-out arrow on Font (on the Home tab). Alternatively, press Ctrl + D . Go to the Advanced tab. Select the checkbox for Kerning for fonts . Experiment by entering a small point size in the box. Remember, some typefaces and font sizes don't look good with kerning.

9. Inspect Your Document

Today, an important MS Word feature is collaboration, but you have to pay attention to security too. The Document Inspector in Word helps you check your document for any information you want to keep private.

Whenever you create or even edit a document, some user information gets added to the file automatically. The Document Inspector helps you erase this kind of information before sharing a document.

To access the Document Inspector, go to File > Info > Inspect Document > Check for Issues > Inspect Document .

You can inspect hidden content by selecting the checkboxes. After the inspection, any categories with sensitive data gets an exclamation mark. The Remove All button for each category removes the data and finalizes the document.

10. Take the Benefits of Hidden Text

Hidden Text is a non-printing character attribute that has its usefulness. Hiding text can be useful in many situations:

• Create a simple quiz by hiding the answers.
• Control the layout for some specific printing job by inserting hidden text.
• Print two versions of a document. In one, hide portions of text. You don't need to create two copies or delete any part of the document.
• Temporarily hide confidential information that you don't want others to see.

On the flip side, we've shown how to add a watermark in Word for text that people can't remove.

To hide or unhide text:

• Select the text you want to hide or the hidden text.
• Click Home > Font Dialog box > Font .
• Select or clear the Hidden checkbox.

To print hidden text:

• Go to the File tab > Options > Display .
• Select the Hidden text check box.
• Select the Print hidden text check box.

Non-printing characters are formatting marks, which enables you to troubleshoot and fine-tune the layout of a document. For instance, if words need to be single-spaced; your paragraphs have to be spaced with correct line breaks; all tabs should be lined up; table cells have to be formatted neatly, and so on.

Pilcrows, tab-markers, spaces, line breaks, page breaks, object anchors, and hidden text are just some of the non-printing elements that are handy for controlling the layout of a Word document. You can remove page breaks when needed, or display the non-printing characters by clicking the Pilcrow button on the Home tab. Alternatively, press Ctrl + * .

Use These Productivity Secrets in Word

Use these advanced Microsoft Word tips and you'll speed up your workflow in no time. Whether you're trying to get through a school essay, work project, or something personal, these tips will help you master Word.

There's plenty more you can do with Word beyond these tips. For example, did you know you can create a fancy-looking cover page?

• Productivity
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office 365

Top 12 Word Processor Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's digital workspace, proficiency in word processing is not just an asset, but a necessity. Highlighting your word processor skills on your resume can significantly elevate your appeal to potential employers by demonstrating your ability to efficiently create, edit, and manage documents.

Word Processor Skills

• Microsoft Word
• Google Docs
• Typing Speed
• Adobe Acrobat
• OpenOffice Writer
• Zoho Writer

1. Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a widely-used word processing software developed by Microsoft, designed for creating, editing, and formatting text documents.

Why It's Important

Microsoft Word is a vital tool as it provides comprehensive features for document creation, editing, and formatting, making it indispensable for professional and personal word processing tasks.

How to Improve Microsoft Word Skills

To enhance Microsoft Word as a word processor, focus on the following aspects:

Performance Optimization: Streamline code and resources for faster startup and smoother operation. Microsoft Support

User Interface (UI) Improvements: Adopt a more intuitive and customizable UI. Microsoft Design

Enhanced Collaboration Tools: Improve real-time editing, commenting, and sharing capabilities. Office Support - Collaboration

Advanced Formatting Features: Introduce more versatile formatting tools for professional document creation. Office Training Center

AI-Powered Editing and Suggestions: Incorporate AI for grammar, style, and tone suggestions. Microsoft AI

Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensure seamless document editing and sharing across various devices and operating systems. Office Apps

Enhanced Security and Privacy Features: Strengthen data protection and user privacy. Microsoft Security

Accessibility Features: Improve accessibility options for users with disabilities. Microsoft Accessibility

Integration with External Apps and Services: Facilitate easier integration with third-party apps and cloud services. Microsoft AppSource

Customizable Shortcuts and Automations: Allow users to create custom shortcuts and automate repetitive tasks. Office Support - Keyboard Shortcuts

Improving Microsoft Word involves a balanced approach to enhancing functionality, usability, and user experience.

How to Display Microsoft Word Skills on Your Resume

2. Google Docs

Google Docs is a web-based word processor offered by Google, allowing users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents online in real time.

Google Docs is important as a word processor because it allows for real-time collaboration, cloud-based storage for easy access from any device, and integrates seamlessly with other Google services, enhancing productivity and facilitating remote work.

How to Improve Google Docs Skills

To improve Google Docs as a Word Processor, consider the following concise strategies:

Enhance Collaboration Features : Enhance real-time editing and commenting features for better collaboration. Google Workspace Updates

Improve Offline Capabilities : Strengthen offline capabilities for editing and saving documents. Google Docs Offline

Expand Template Library : Increase the variety and customization options of templates. Google Docs Templates

Enhance Formatting Tools : Introduce more advanced formatting options, such as better styles management and smart formatting. Docs Editors Help

Optimize for Mobile Devices : Ensure full feature accessibility and user-friendly interfaces on mobile devices. Google Docs Apps

Integrated Research Tools : Enhance built-in research tools for easier information verification and citation. Explore in Docs

Improve Accessibility Features : Improve voice typing, screen reading, and other accessibility features for users with disabilities. Accessibility for Docs Editors

Expand File Compatibility : Ensure seamless compatibility and conversion with other file types, especially DOCX. Work with Office files

By implementing these improvements, Google Docs can significantly enhance user experience, productivity, and accessibility for all users.

How to Display Google Docs Skills on Your Resume

3. Typing Speed

Typing speed refers to the number of words a person can type per minute (WPM) on a word processor.

Typing speed is important for a Word Processor as it directly affects productivity and efficiency, enabling faster document creation, editing, and communication.

How to Improve Typing Speed Skills

To improve typing speed for use in a Word Processor, follow these concise tips:

Learn Touch Typing : Familiarize yourself with the keyboard layout and practice typing without looking at the keys. Websites like TypingClub offer free lessons.

Use Typing Software : Engage with interactive typing software that adapts to your skill level, such as Keybr.

Practice Regularly : Dedicate specific time for typing practice daily. Consistency is key to improvement.

Focus on Accuracy Before Speed : Aim for precision in hitting the right keys before trying to increase your speed. Speed naturally increases as accuracy improves.

Test Yourself : Measure your progress by taking timed typing tests on platforms like 10FastFingers .

Adopt Proper Posture : Sit upright and keep your feet flat on the ground. Position your keyboard and monitor at a comfortable height.

Use Shortcuts : Learn and utilize keyboard shortcuts in your Word Processor to save time and increase efficiency.

By following these steps and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your typing speed for efficient use in any Word Processor.

How to Display Typing Speed Skills on Your Resume

4. Grammarly

Grammarly is a digital writing tool that integrates with word processors to provide grammar checking, spell checking, and plagiarism detection services, enhancing the quality and clarity of users' writing.

Grammarly is important for a Word Processor because it enhances written communication by checking for and correcting grammatical errors, improving vocabulary usage, and ensuring clarity and consistency, thereby elevating the quality and professionalism of the text.

How to Improve Grammarly Skills

To enhance Grammarly for use in a Word Processor, focus on these areas:

Integration : Ensure seamless integration with major word processors for a frictionless user experience. Link

Customization : Allow users to customize rules based on their writing style and the document's purpose. Link

Context Awareness : Enhance the AI to better understand context for more accurate suggestions. Link

Feedback Mechanism : Implement a system for users to provide feedback on suggestions, improving AI accuracy over time. Link

Offline Functionality : Develop offline capabilities for users to work without an internet connection. Link

Implementing these improvements can significantly enhance the user experience and effectiveness of Grammarly within word processors.

How to Display Grammarly Skills on Your Resume

LaTeX is a high-quality typesetting system; it includes features designed for the production of technical and scientific documentation. Unlike typical word processors, LaTeX is not a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) application; instead, it uses a markup language for document preparation, enabling authors to focus on the content without worrying about the document's formatting.

LaTeX is important because it excels in handling complex documents and technical materials, such as scientific papers, mathematical formulas, and academic publications, offering superior precision in typesetting and layout compared to typical word processors.

How to Improve LaTeX Skills

Improving your LaTeX experience, especially in comparison to using a word processor, involves enhancing efficiency, managing your documents more effectively, and utilizing the vast array of packages available. Here's how to do it concisely:

Use a powerful LaTeX editor : Choose an editor like TeXstudio or Overleaf for features like auto-completion, error checking, and live previews.

Learn shortcuts : Most LaTeX editors offer keyboard shortcuts for common commands, significantly speeding up your workflow.

Incorporate version control : Use Git with platforms like GitHub or GitLab to manage versions of your documents, facilitating collaboration and backup.

Explore packages : Enhance your documents' appearance and functionality by exploring packages on CTAN (Comprehensive TeX Archive Network) . Packages for bibliography management ( BibTeX ), graphics ( TikZ ), and formatting are particularly useful.

Automate your workflow : Use makefiles or scripting (e.g., with Latexmk ) to automate document compilation and management tasks.

Stay updated : LaTeX and its packages receive updates that can introduce new features or improve performance. Regularly update your LaTeX distribution (e.g., TeX Live , MiKTeX ) to benefit from these improvements.

Engage with the community : Join LaTeX forums and Q&A sites like Stack Exchange to get help, share knowledge, and stay informed about best practices and new packages.

By integrating these strategies, you can significantly improve your LaTeX experience, making it a more powerful and efficient tool for document preparation compared to traditional word processors.

How to Display LaTeX Skills on Your Resume

6. Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a software application designed for creating, editing, viewing, and managing PDF (Portable Document Format) files, rather than functioning as a traditional word processor.

Adobe Acrobat is important for a Word Processor because it allows for the creation, editing, and sharing of PDF documents, ensuring universal document format compatibility and maintaining layout integrity across different devices and platforms.

How to Improve Adobe Acrobat Skills

Improving Adobe Acrobat, particularly for tasks related to word processing and managing external links, involves enhancing PDF editing capabilities, streamlining link integration, and ensuring seamless compatibility with word processors. Here’s a concise guide:

Enhanced PDF Editing : Integrate advanced text editing features similar to those in word processors for easier manipulation of text within PDFs.

Seamless Link Integration : Develop simpler methods for inserting and editing hyperlinks, allowing users to easily add, remove, or update external links.

Word Processor Compatibility : Ensure better compatibility with major word processing software, allowing for flawless import and export of documents to and from PDF format without losing formatting or links.

By focusing on these areas, Adobe Acrobat can significantly improve its utility as a word processor, particularly in handling external links and editing text.

How to Display Adobe Acrobat Skills on Your Resume

7. SharePoint

SharePoint is a web-based collaboration and document management platform from Microsoft, not primarily a word processor, but it integrates with Microsoft Word for document creation, sharing, and collaborative editing.

SharePoint is important for a Word Processor because it enables collaborative document editing, version control, and centralized document management, enhancing productivity and ensuring consistency across team projects.

How to Improve SharePoint Skills

To improve SharePoint as a Word Processor, focus on enhancing collaboration, accessibility, and integration:

Enhance Real-Time Collaboration: Enable simultaneous editing and commenting to streamline group work ( Co-authoring in SharePoint ).

Improve Document Accessibility: Leverage SharePoint's accessibility features and ensure content is easily navigable for all users (Accessibility Support for SharePoint).

Streamline Integration with Office 365: Utilize SharePoint's deep integration with Office 365 for a seamless experience across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (Office 365 Integration).

Optimize for Mobile Use: Ensure SharePoint sites and documents are mobile-friendly, allowing users to access and edit documents from any device (Mobile View in SharePoint).

Enhance External Linking: Use Markdown or the built-in linking features in SharePoint to add external links to documents, facilitating easy access to external resources (SharePoint Hyperlink or Picture Column).

By focusing on these areas, SharePoint can be significantly improved as a Word Processor, enhancing productivity and user experience.

How to Display SharePoint Skills on Your Resume

8. Scrivener

Scrivener is a word processing software designed specifically for authors, offering advanced features for managing complex writing projects, organizing research, and structuring long documents.

Scrivener is important because it offers advanced features tailored for writers, such as organizing research, structuring documents, and tracking revisions, making it more versatile and writer-focused than typical word processors.

How to Improve Scrivener Skills

To enhance Scrivener as a word processor, consider implementing the following improvements:

Cloud Integration : Enable seamless sync with popular cloud services (e.g., Google Drive , Dropbox ) for backup and cross-device access.

Collaboration Tools : Introduce real-time collaboration features similar to Google Docs to allow multiple users to edit a document simultaneously.

Enhanced Export Options : Expand export capabilities to include more formats and customizable templates, ensuring compatibility with other word processors like Microsoft Word .

Improved Navigation : Streamline the navigation pane for easier maneuvering through large documents, incorporating an advanced search and tag system for quick access.

Accessibility Features : Include text-to-speech and speech-to-text support, along with high-contrast modes and other accessibility improvements to cater to a diverse user base.

Mobile App Refinement : Enhance the mobile app for better functionality and user experience, ensuring feature parity with the desktop version.

User Interface Customization : Allow users to customize the interface fully, enabling them to create a personalized workspace that suits their needs.

Incorporating these enhancements will significantly improve the versatility and user-friendliness of Scrivener, making it a more competitive option in the word processor market.

How to Display Scrivener Skills on Your Resume

9. Markdown

Markdown is a lightweight markup language with plain-text formatting syntax designed for easy readability and writing for web content, allowing users to create formatted text using a plain text editor. In the context of a word processor, it enables users to quickly format text without using a mouse or complex keyboard shortcuts, using simple symbols to represent formatting options like headings, bold, italic, lists, and links.

Markdown is important for word processing because it enables users to easily format text with simple, plain-text syntax, ensuring content is portable and readable across different platforms and devices without relying on specific software.

How to Improve Markdown Skills

To enhance Markdown for a Word Processor with a focus on inline linking, you can:

Extend Markdown Syntax : Introduce new or custom Markdown syntax tailored for advanced document formatting needs, such as side notes, captions, or specialized lists, while keeping the simplicity of Markdown.

Simplify Inline Linking : Develop a more streamlined approach for inserting inline links. For example, propose a simplified syntax that reduces the need for parentheses and brackets for common URLs or provides autocomplete suggestions based on the text being linked.

Embed Rich Content : Allow embedding of external rich content (like videos, interactive charts, or widgets) directly within the document using simple inline syntax, enhancing the multimedia capabilities of the text.

Enhance Collaboration Features : Implement features like inline comments or suggestions using a straightforward syntax, enabling seamless collaboration directly within the Markdown document.

Improve Navigation : Introduce a syntax for creating an automatically generated table of contents or index, allowing users to navigate long documents more efficiently.

Optimize for Accessibility : Ensure that the Markdown processor can generate documents that are accessible, including features for screen readers, alternative text for images, and easy keyboard navigation.

Seamless Conversion Tools : Provide robust tools for converting Markdown to other formats (PDF, DOCX, HTML) without losing formatting nuances, making it easier to use Markdown documents in various contexts.

By focusing on these enhancements, Markdown can be made even more powerful and useful for Word Processor users, especially in handling external links more effectively and intuitively.

How to Display Markdown Skills on Your Resume

10. Evernote

Evernote is a note-taking and organization app that allows for text entry, document and image storage, and basic formatting, but it is not primarily designed as a full-featured word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Evernote is important as a word processor because it offers seamless note-taking and organizing capabilities, enabling users to efficiently create, edit, and manage documents across multiple devices, fostering productivity and collaboration.

How to Improve Evernote Skills

To enhance Evernote as a Word Processor while incorporating external links in markdown format, focus on these concise improvements:

Markdown Support : Integrate full markdown support for streamlined editing and formatting, allowing users to easily insert external links using the inline linking method [link text](URL) . This will simplify the process of adding rich content.

Rich Text Improvements : Enhance text formatting options including fonts, headings, and list styles to align with robust word processing capabilities.

Link Previews : Develop functionality for displaying rich previews of external links within notes, giving users a snapshot of the linked content without leaving Evernote.

Collaboration Tools : Strengthen collaboration features by allowing real-time editing and commenting directly within shared notes, improving team workflows.

Export Options : Provide versatile export options that maintain markdown formatting and embedded links, ensuring compatibility with other platforms.

Template Library : Expand the template library with customizable options for professional documents, including templates that utilize markdown for quick formatting.

Offline Access : Enhance offline capabilities to ensure users can edit documents with external links in markdown format without internet connectivity.

Implementing these improvements will significantly boost Evernote's functionality as a word processor, particularly for users who rely on incorporating and managing external links within their documents.

How to Display Evernote Skills on Your Resume

11. OpenOffice Writer

OpenOffice Writer is a free, open-source word processor that is part of the Apache OpenOffice suite, offering features for creating and editing text documents, similar to Microsoft Word.

OpenOffice Writer is important as it provides a free, open-source word processor that offers functionality comparable to commercial alternatives, enabling users to create, edit, and manage documents without financial constraints, fostering accessibility and inclusivity in digital document creation.

How to Improve OpenOffice Writer Skills

To improve OpenOffice Writer as a word processor, consider these concise strategies:

• Update Regularly : Ensure you're using the latest version for new features and bug fixes. Download the latest version .
• Install Extensions : Enhance functionality with extensions like language tools and templates. Browse extensions here .
• Customize Toolbars : Tailor your workspace by adding or removing icons from toolbars to streamline your workflow. Customization guide.
• Use Styles and Formatting : Master the use of styles for consistent formatting, which improves document structure and readability. Learn about styles .
• Implement Keyboard Shortcuts : Increase efficiency by learning and using keyboard shortcuts. Shortcut list.
• Explore Templates : Use and modify templates for professional-looking documents. Find templates .
• Enable Automatic Updates : Keep the software up to date effortlessly by enabling automatic updates in the settings. Update settings guide .

By adopting these strategies, you can significantly enhance your productivity and the functionality of OpenOffice Writer.

How to Display OpenOffice Writer Skills on Your Resume

12. Zoho Writer

Zoho Writer is a cloud-based word processing application that allows users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents online.

Zoho Writer is important as a word processor because it offers a cloud-based, collaborative platform for document creation and management, integrating advanced editing tools, real-time collaboration features, and compatibility with various formats, enhancing productivity and accessibility for users.

How to Improve Zoho Writer Skills

To improve Zoho Writer as a Word Processor, consider the following concise strategies:

• Enhance Collaboration Features : Implement real-time editing and commenting with finer control over permissions. Collaboration in Zoho Writer
• Improve Document Accessibility : Offer more options for document accessibility, including better screen reader support and accessibility checks. Accessibility in Zoho
• Expand File Compatibility : Increase compatibility with other file formats for seamless import/export, focusing on flawless conversions to/from DOCX, PDF, and ODT. Zoho Writer Features
• Enhance Mobile Experience : Optimize the mobile application for better usability, including smoother navigation and editing tools. Zoho Writer Mobile App
• Integrate Advanced Research Tools : Integrate tools for research that allow users to search credible sources and incorporate citations directly within the document. Zoho Writer for Research
• Improve Template Variety and Customization : Broaden the range of templates and enhance customization features for creating professional-looking documents quickly. Zoho Writer Templates
• Augment Auto-Correction and Writing Assistance : Incorporate advanced AI for grammar, style, and syntax suggestions to improve writing quality. Zia in Zoho Writer
• Enhance Security Features : Strengthen document security with advanced encryption, secure sharing options, and user authentication. Zoho Security

By targeting these areas, Zoho Writer can significantly enhance user experience, performance, and functionality as a top-tier word processor.

How to Display Zoho Writer Skills on Your Resume

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Success Skills

Video: advanced word processing skills.

Even people who have been using word processors for years often don’t know about some of the advanced tips below.

Hanging Indents

MLA and APA bibliography pages use a special type of indent, called a “hanging indent.”  Where a normal paragraph indents the first line but not any others, a hanging indent paragraph DOESN’T indent the first line, but DOES indent all the others.  Luckily, it’s very easy to have your word processor do the hard work of this type of formatting for you, as this video demonstrates.

Bibliography Pages

Speaking of bibliographies (or Works Cited pages, or References pages), did you know that many word processors have ways to help you create those quickly?

Alphabetizing Bibliographies (and other Lists)

One more bibliography tip…if you create your citation list as you use sources, you’ll need to put these in alphabetical order at the end.  An easy way to do that is to use the Sort feature in your word processor.  This video demonstrates that in Word 2016.

Inserting Pictures

Many college projects will require you to include visuals in your essays.  The following video addresses how to add an image and then how to get the text around it to behave properly afterwards.

Change Default Settings

If the first thing you do each time you open a new document, is change your font size or style, as well as readjust your margins, then you probably will save time by changing the default settings so it starts just the way you like it. (This video is for Word 2013)

Free Alternatives to Word

Word is the most common word processor, but it’s expensive, especially if it didn’t come with the computer you bought.  Here are some free options to explore as an alternative.

• Office Online .  You’ll need to register with an account, but can then access your saved files from any internet-connected device.
• OpenOffice .  This is software you download on your computer, so you don’t have to be online to use it.
• LibreOffice . Similar to OpenOffice, you download this software directly to your computer.
• Google Drive . Connected to a Gmail / Google personal account, this flexible tool lets you access your saved files from any internet-connected device.  You can also download files to work on offline, and they will automatically sync when you go online again.
• Introductory Text: Advanced Word Processing Skills. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• How to make a hanging indent. Authored by : RVCCLibrary. Located at : https://youtu.be/n7rtKPYfhk0 . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Change Default Formatting: Microsoft Word 2013. Authored by : Greg Stager. Located at : https://youtu.be/M61X8x8_Fp8 . License : CC BY: Attribution
• Create a Bibliography using MS Word 2013. Authored by : Lindsay Henning. Located at : https://youtu.be/I-IEWabgf0I . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2013: Pictures and Text Wrapping. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/LmllSsu2--M . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• How to Put Words in Alphabetical Order in Microsoft Word 2007. Authored by : eHowTech. Located at : https://youtu.be/7oQqC7bSy8k . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Creating a Hanging Indent in Microsoft Word 2016. Authored by : Tina Shanahan. Located at : https://youtu.be/yCStrefoSCU . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• How to Create a Bibliography in Word 2016. Authored by : HowTech. Located at : https://youtu.be/PafCMUVH_OA . Project : https://youtu.be/EaTg2jOdbLE. License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Word 2016: Pictures and Text Wrapping. Authored by : GCFLearnFree.org. Located at : https://youtu.be/jh9IQuu8J_s . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube license
• Word 2016 for Beginners Part 24: How to Sort a List in Microsoft Word 2016. Authored by : Simon Sez IT. Located at : https://youtu.be/MQZahOwhMa0 . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License