How do I convert PDF files within Word?

PDF files can be converted to editable Word documents simply by opening them through Word. Start by opening word and navigating to the File Tab. Click Open and select the PDF from its stored location. When opening this file, you will be presented with a warning message.


Press Yes/OK and the PDF will convert to a Word document. However, if the PDF contains lots of images, it may not look completely clean and may need reorganising.


This content is aimed at the Intermediate level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I translate my text in word?

It's easy to translate text in over 60 languages right within Word. Just select the text, right-click, and choose Translate. You’ll be able to preview the translated text as well as quickly changing the language.


Want to translate your entire document?

1. Click Review > Translate > Translate Document.

2. Select the From and To languages.

3. Click Translate.



This content is aimed at the Intermediate level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I change the default font on word?

You can change the default font type within word easily. Start by expanding the font section, within moments of the dialog box appearing on your screen you will see the option to make the font your default. Use the dropdown menu to choose your desired font and press the default font button. Would you like this font to be default for word entirely, or just for the document?



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How do I add auto-correct rules?

Auto-correct is a simple process that looks at what you type and corrects the word to what the computer thought you was trying to spell. You can delete the rules, edit the rules and create new rules that the auto-correct will look at while you are typing away.


1. Go to File and Options

2. Click onto the proofing section

3. Now press on AutoCorrect Options.

4. On the left side, type the letters/words that you want to be replaced with whatever you wish by typing the correction in the right-hand side. 



This content is aimed at the Intermediate level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I write comments on information in word?


Highlight the text that you want to comment over, or the end of a paragraph. On the review tab, select new comment. From here, you will be able to type within the specified field the comments that you want to make. Alternatively, you can select the text as stated in the previous method and right click to bring up an additional method where you can quickly create comments.

To view your comment, hover over the text and the comment will appear.



This content is aimed at the Intermediate level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I delete words at a time in word?

A hidden feature of word is the ability to simply remove a word at a time rather than a letter every backspace. You can highlight the word you want to delete and remove it from the document, but this is the commonly known method. If you press and hold Ctrl while using backspace, you will notice that words disappear instead of just letters.



This content is aimed at the Intermediate level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I recover my document if word crashed?

If word crashes at the most elaborate time where you currently haven’t saved your document, you can still see the files deep within word. Here is how you can restore your file. Please note: if word closed successfully the auto recover files will be removed and you will lose the chance to restore the documents. 


Open Word and select File, Options.

In the Options dialog box select Save from the left-hand menu. Note the Auto Recover files location.

Open Windows Explorer/My Computer

Select Folder and Search Options.

Select the View tab.

Remove the tick next to Hide Extensions for known file types.

Click OK.

Select the Show hidden files, folders and drives radio button.

Move to the location found in step 3 above.

Open the folder which has your document name (with %20 representing spaces).

Copy the .asd file.

Return to Word and click on File, Open

Scroll down until you can see the Recover Unsaved Documents button and click it.

Paste the copied file into the folder

Open the file

Save the document.


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How do I use the Find & Replace tool in word?


In word, you can use a feature that will help you look through the entire document to find a specific word or phrase. If you delve deeper into the options of this feature, you can find the word and replace it with another in a simple click of a button.



This content is aimed at the Introduction level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I change the page colour when I'm using read mode in Word?

In word, you have three different view options to choose from. Each will change how you see your document. The default and standard layout is called Print Layout. You also have the option to change it to Web Layout or Read mode.

To prevent eye strain while in reading mode, you can change some visual settings such as changing the page layout from column which is default in this mode or paper layout. You can change the colour of the page to either sepia or inverse.

To change this colour, enter read mode and navigate to view. (Read mode is located in the bottom right corner of word) Page Colour will appear on this list, from which you can decide which to use.



This content is aimed at the Intermediate level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I start word in safe mode?

When you are experiencing problems in word, you can run it in safe mode to stop all the addons that may be causing the issue from running. After an excess amount of crashes, word will prompt you to start in safe mode to check that the functionality of word is working.

Manually start safe-mode

1. Using the start menu, open Run (Windows key + R)

2. In the dialog box type the process name, word.exe

3. While still typing in the box, type /safe after the name.

4. Press enter and word will begin to load in safe mode.



This content is aimed at the Advanced level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I hide grammar and spelling problems?

To hide the spelling check and grammar check on word, you navigate to the options and proofing. This is where you can change how spellcheck works and the place where you can disable auto spell and grammar checks.

1. Within word, open file menu and go to the options section

2. Options will open in a dialog box

3. Select proofing and untick both check spelling and check grammar when typing.




This content is aimed at the Intermediate level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I manually check for spelling and grammar errors?

If you have disabled the auto checks for spelling and grammar in word, you can still double check that you haven’t made any mistakes. When you are writing on word, you might not notice any spelling or grammar errors, but you can manually check by pressing on the open book icon that is located on the bottom bar.

Pressing this icon will open an additional dialog box, which will tell you the spelling mistakes and grammar corrections. You can chose to either ignore the checks and carry on working, or you can change the mistakes to the recommended options that word provides.



This content is aimed at the Intermediate level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How to type special Characters in word

In word, you can type many different symbols ranging from the standard punctuation to the copyright symbol.

How to quickly write special characters in word:

1. To start typing a special character they require brackets. Opening bracket ( and closing bracket ).

2. Decide which symbol you want to use. In this example I will show you how to create the copyright symbol.

3. Type the letter c in between the brackets. ©



This content is aimed at the Intermediate level.   Click here to view our course overview.

What version of Word am I using?

For Office 2013 and 2016:

1. Press on file

2. Under Account you will see product information

3. Product information will show you the version of Word



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How do I type anywhere on a document?

In word, there is many different functions that have multiple actions, for example double clicking on a word will highlight that specific word while double clicking on a blank space will move the cursor to this area.

This is exactly how to type anywhere on the page. When double clicking within the body of the document, you will see that the cursor has moved position to where you previously double clicked.


How to type anywhere on a document:

1.Double click in an empty space on the document

2. Start typing and the text will appear next to where you double clicked.

3. Repeat step 1 & 2 if you wish to add more text elsewhere on the page.


This content is aimed at the Intermediate level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I add a calculator to Word?

When you have word open, go to File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar, switch to All Commands and click on the Calculate Command to add to the Quick Access Toolbar (You can quickly find the calculate tool by pressing on the list of commands followed by pressing the letter C). After you save, you will see a grey circle at the top of your Word window where Save, Undo & Redo are located.


To use this calculator, highlight an equation in your document and press on that circle, you will notice that an answer to your calculation will appear at the bottom of your window.


This content is aimed at the Advanced level.   Click here to view our course overview.

How do I select a sentence fast in word?

Word has a feature depending on the amount of times you left click an area on the document.


How to quickly select a sentence:

1. Find the sentence you want to select.

2. Press and hold Ctrl + Click on the sentence you want to select.


This content is aimed at the Introduction level.   Click here to view our course overview.