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English: Microsoft Word

A research guide for English students at Mitchell Community College.

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Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a word processing program that allows users to create and edit documents. Access to Word is available through Office 365 for Mitchell Community College students, faculty, and staff.

Click on the tabs below to learn about tips and tricks for using Word, including how to create a hanging indent and converting your file to a PDF.

 

How to Convert a Document File to a PDF File

Portable Document Format, or PDF is a file format used to represent documents independent of the application, hardware, or system used to create it. This ensures that the document looks the same when opened on different devices and software, by retaining formatting and layout.

Follow these steps to convert your .doc/.docx file to a .pdf:

  • Open your Word document and click File in the upper left corner. 

Microsoft Word File menu

  • Click Save As. 
  • Select the location where you wish to save your file (select a suggested location, or click Browse to browse your computer).
  • Using the drop-down menu "Save as type," select PDF from the list provided. 

Microsoft Word Save As menu

  • Click Save.

Image credits:  Microsoft Word file menu, Microsoft Word save as menu, (c) Sarah Sowa, Mitchell Community College, all rights reserved.

How to Create a Hanging Indent in Microsoft Word

A hanging indent is a formatting technique in which all lines except the first line of the entry are indented. This formatting technique is required for Reference or Works Cited pages. The first line of each source entry should start at the far left, with each additional line of the entry being indented.

Screenshot of References section with three entries formatted to have a hanging indent.

References section in Microsoft Word with hanging indent (c) Sarah Sowa, Mitchell Community College, all rights reserved.

To create a hanging indent in Microsoft Word:

  • Open the document contained your References/Works Cited page and highlight your list of sources.
  • Click on the drop-down arrow below the Paragraph menu.

Microsoft Word Paragraph menu

  • In the Indentation section of the pop-up box, select Hanging from the Special drop-down menu, then click OK.

Microsoft Word Paragraph setting box

Image credits: Microsoft Word Paragraph menu, Microsoft Word Paragraph box (c) Sarah Sowa, Mitchell Community College, all rights reserved.

How to Use Templates in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word offers user free pre-formatted templates that serve as a starting point for users to create new documents in APA and MLA formats. These templates act as blueprints for your documents.

To use a pre-formatted template:

  • Open Microsoft Word. From the welcome screen, select "More templates."
  • In the "Search for online templates" search bar, type in your desired template format (ALA or MLA) and press Enter or click on the magnifying glass icon.

Microsoft Word template search bar

  • Click on the desired template.
  • Click the Create button to open a new document using the desire template. If you have not used this template before, you will need Internet access to allow Microsoft Word to download the template to your device.

Microsoft Word Create button

  • Modify the template according to your instructor's guidelines and your needs.

Image credits: Microsoft Word template search bar, Microsoft Word Create button (c) Sarah Sowa, Mitchell Community College, all rights reserved.

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