What is Word and what is it for? Features and functions

Word is a word processor developed by Microsoft and first released on the market in 1983 as a tool for creating or editing professional-quality office documents.

Throughout the following article we will explain more about this office automation program, answering what is it for, how does it work and what are its most outstanding characteristics.

What is Word and what is it for?

As we have already mentioned in the introduction, Word is a Microsoft word processor that allows you to create all types of content, from a simple note to a journalistic article and even an illustrated book with images.

words Used to read, process or edit and save documents of text through different tools or functions present within the program. It is integrated by default into the Office package and allows you to generate different office files, such as: letters, envelopes, labels, letterhead, tables of contents, etc.

Word Features

Word has different features or functions that allow the user to perform different tasks within the document. These include the following:

Toolbar: allows you to modify different aspects of the document, from the type of font to its view mode.
Share files: This function allows you to share the open document with other people, so that they can edit the content in real time, just like the owner.
Export– Used to export a Word file directly to PDF or XPS without using a converter.
Web version: allows you to create and edit Word documents from the web, using different functions of the program.
One Drive Sync– User can log in to their Outlook (Hotmail) account from Word and store the created documents in One Drive cloud.
Mobile app: allows you to use the program much more comfortably on your cell phone, integrating a large part of the functions of the desktop version.
Link to other sources: allows you to insert elements, such as tables, images, videos or graphs, etc., from other programs such as Excel or from the website itself.
voice dictation– Allows you to write in Word using voice commands.
Spelling and grammar check– This function is used to detect spelling or grammar errors throughout the document.
Search– With this feature each person can search for specific phrases or terms within the document, whether in titles or entire pages.
Password protection: serves to prevent other people from editing the document, if it is shared.
Compare or combine: allows you to review two versions of the same document and compare or even combine their content, if necessary.
View Types: Allows you to switch the document view to reading, printing, or web design mode.
Pre-made templates: they allow you to take existing models on the network to create specific documents much faster or with a professional appearance.
Comments: allows you to add comments throughout the text so that other people can read them and modify the content in question.
Automatic correction: is responsible for automatically correcting basic spelling errors, such as the use of capital letters or the use of accent marks in words.

Advantages of Word

Word offers many benefits or advantages to its users. Therefore, some of the most notable ones are mentioned below:

Allows you to create documents from templateswhich benefits inexperienced users.
It can be used on different devices and Operating Systems.
Documents can be edited whenever you want.
It offers a web version with most of the functions, which allows you to edit documents, even if you do not have the desktop app.
It has a extensive list of tools to work.
Can be synced with One Drive.
Allows you to share the file from the cloud with other users.
Provides access to web resources, such as images, videos, plugins, etc.
It has a long list of available formats when saving a document.
It is available in different languages.
It is constantly updatedwhich guarantees the existence of improved functions in the program.
Allows you to protect files against editing with a password.
It has a voice dictation function.
Allows you to edit documents as a team in real time.

Disadvantages of Word

Despite being a fairly complete program, there are some disadvantages of Word that affect its operation. Some of these are:

Requires purchasing the complete package of Office to be able to use it.
Membership fees can be expensive in many countries.
The extensive list of tools or functions may be difficult for inexperienced users.
The web version has limitations.
The document order can be altered between one version of the program and another.
Sources are limited.

If you want to know in detail the advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Word, you can visit our article on .

How does Microsoft Word work?

words It is part of the Microsoft office suite, which can be accessed through a monthly or annual subscription with an Office account. However, it works independently within its own interface, with a variety of tools or buttons that allow you to carry out different tasks in the program.

How to create or edit a document in Word?

Creating a text document in Word is very simple, since when you start the program you can choose between do it from scratch or use one of the templates available for download. Once the desired option has been selected, you just have to use the different tools that the program has in the top bar.

Similarly, when opening an existing document from the “File” tab content can be added or removed, as necessary. It should be noted that, in the case of documents that were not created directly by the user, editing can be enabled by clicking on the corresponding button.

How to save a Word document?

To save a document in Word you must go to tab “Archive” and click on the “ buttonKeep” either “Save as”. Subsequently, assign a name and choose a destination folder on your computer or cell phone. This allows it to be kept on the device to edit, print or share with other users, if necessary.

Compatible devices

The Microsoft text editor is compatible with different platforms and devices. Therefore, it can be used in computers and smartphones through the desktop (Windows or Mac) or mobile app ( or ), respectively. In addition, it has one that can be accessed from different browsers on your computer or cell phone.

Word Online

word online is the online version of the text editor from Microsoft, from which you can create or edit documents as if it were the desktop app. To do this, you must log in using the Outlook (Hotmail) account and search among the available applications. It is worth mentioning that this can be done for free.

Note– There are some limitations to this feature.

Pricing or subscription plans

Taking into account that Word is part of the Office suite, there is no price or type of plan that includes only the text editor. Therefore, when purchasing an Office 365 membership of any type (personal, family or business) you have automatic access to this program.

Note: To check the cost of any of these, you can visit the manufacturer’s.

In conclusion, Word is a text editor that allows you to process documents individually or in groups, using different functions or tools on your cell phone or computer.