Here are the main features of Word that can be used to save time:

1 Inserting the file path name in the footer: go to View/Headers and Footers/Insert AutoText menu, clicking on the down arrow of that box.

2 Use AutoText to enter a frequently used phrase or insert an object, eg, a logo: Insert/AutoText, highlight the text/object, then select AutoText. Type the keyword that you will use for this to appear, and select the “Add”’ button (or type Alt+F3). To insert, go to Insert/AutoText and pick the word from the dropdown list, or choose AutoText and pick from the whole list.

3 Formula — to add to columns in a table. With the cursor in the bottom cell of the columns (or row), click on Table/Formula.

4 AutoFormat to spruce up a table: highlight the table and click on Table/Table AutoFormat.

5 To compare two documents side by side: open both documents, then click on Window/Compare.

6 Making sure that unusual words are spelt correctly: when you spellcheck, either click on Add to Dictionary or highlight the word and press F7.

7 To scroll through a document by a specific aspect (eg, comments, tables, etc): use the Browse Object button at the bottom of the right-hand vertical scroll bar. To cancel your selection and revert to next/ previous page, click on the button and select Browse by Page.

8 To indicate where changes/edits have been made: highlight the text, and from the toolbar click on the Highlight icon (this can often be easier than using Track changes).

9 For a quick view of the document’s structure and layout, use Thumbnails: click on View/Thumbnails.

10 Shortcut keys to save time: to open a file, Ctrl+O; to close a file, Ctrl+W; to do a word count, Ctrl+Shift+G; to insert a new page, Ctrl+Ent; to undo the last action, Ctrl+Z; to indent a paragraph, Ctrl+M.

For more help, send your questions to creme@thetimes.co.uk or hit F1 to search Microsoft’s database.

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