Microsoft Word – Overview
MS Word is a word processing software developed by Microsoft. It allows users to create, format, edit, print, and share documents like letters, reports, resumes, etc.
📌 Key Features of MS Word
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Text formatting (font, size, color)
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Paragraph alignment
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Insert images, tables, charts
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Spell & Grammar check
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Header, Footer, Page Number
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Page layout and margins
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Mail Merge
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Macros
🖱️ Explanation of Important MS Word Icons (Tabs & Functions)
1. Home Tab
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Bold (B): Makes text bold
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Italic (I): Italicizes text
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Underline (U): Underlines text
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Font: Change font style
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Font Size: Change text size
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Text Highlight Color: Highlight text
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Font Color: Change text color
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Bullet / Numbering: Create bullet/number lists
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Align Left / Center / Right / Justify: Paragraph alignment
2. Insert Tab
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Table: Insert table
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Picture: Insert image from PC
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Shapes: Insert shapes (circle, arrow, etc.)
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SmartArt: Insert flowcharts/diagrams
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Chart: Add graphs (bar, pie, line, etc.)
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Header / Footer: Add top/bottom margin text
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Page Number: Insert page numbers
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Text Box: Insert a movable text box
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WordArt: Decorative text
3. Design Tab
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Themes: Change the overall design
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Watermark: Add transparent text behind content
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Page Color: Change background color
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Page Borders: Add decorative borders
4. Layout (Page Layout) Tab
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Margins: Set page margins
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Orientation: Portrait/Landscape
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Size: Set page size (A4, Letter)
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Columns: Create newspaper-style columns
5. References Tab
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Table of Contents: Auto-generate TOC
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Footnote: Add footnotes
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Citations & Bibliography: Manage references
6. Review Tab
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Spelling & Grammar: Check errors
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Thesaurus: Suggest synonyms
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Word Count: Count pages, words, characters
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Track Changes: See edits made by others
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Comments: Add reviewer notes
7. View Tab
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Print Layout / Web Layout / Read Mode: Change document view
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Zoom: Magnify content
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Navigation Pane: View headings and pages
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Ruler / Gridlines: Help with alignment
💡 Frequently Asked Shortcut Keys in MS Word (With Explanation)
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | New document |
| Ctrl + O | Open existing document |
| Ctrl + S | Save document |
| Ctrl + P | |
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo |
| Ctrl + B | Bold text |
| Ctrl + I | Italic text |
| Ctrl + U | Underline text |
| Ctrl + F | Find text |
| Ctrl + H | Find and Replace |
| Ctrl + A | Select All |
| Ctrl + E | Center align |
| Ctrl + L | Left align |
| Ctrl + R | Right align |
| Ctrl + J | Justify |
| Ctrl + 1 | Single line spacing |
| Ctrl + 2 | Double line spacing |
| Ctrl + Shift + > | Increase font size |
| Ctrl + Shift + < | Decrease font size |
| Ctrl + Home | Go to beginning of document |
| Ctrl + End | Go to end of document |
| Alt + Ctrl + F | Insert Footnote |
| Ctrl + Enter | Page Break |
❓ Frequently Asked MS Word MCQs (Bank, SSC, UGC, etc.)
🧠 Sample MCQs:
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Which shortcut key is used to 'Paste' content?
A) Ctrl + C
B) Ctrl + X
C) Ctrl + V ✅
D) Ctrl + P -
To justify a paragraph, which shortcut is used?
A) Ctrl + R
B) Ctrl + J ✅
C) Ctrl + L
D) Ctrl + E -
What is the function of 'Ctrl + S' in MS Word?
A) Save document ✅
B) Search
C) Spell check
D) Select all -
Which tab allows you to insert tables and pictures?
A) Home
B) View
C) Insert ✅
D) Layout -
Which option is not available in the 'Home' tab?
A) Font
B) Paragraph
C) Styles
D) Mail Merge ✅
📑 Important Notes for Exam
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Focus on shortcut keys – at least 10 are asked frequently.
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Understand the use of each tab (Home, Insert, Layout, etc.)
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Common questions test knowledge of formatting, inserting elements, and editing.
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Practical familiarity with MS Word UI helps in answering visual-based questions.