10 Hidden Features in Microsoft Word (You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner)

Introduction

This tutorial highlights 10 hidden features in Microsoft Word that can enhance your productivity and improve your document handling. These features may not be well-known but can significantly streamline your workflow. Whether you're a casual user or a frequent writer, these tips will help you make the most out of Microsoft Word.

Step 1: Generate Random Text with Lorem Ipsum

• Use the Lorem Ipsum text generator to create placeholder text.
• Type =lorem() in your document and hit Enter to fill your document with random text.
• You can specify the number of paragraphs and sentences by adding parameters, like =lorem(2,3) for two paragraphs and three sentences each.

Step 2: Use Hidden Text

• Hide text that you don’t want to display but might need later.
• Select the text you want to hide, right-click, and choose Font.
• In the Font dialog, check the "Hidden" option.
• To view hidden text, go to File > Options > Display and check "Hidden text".

Step 3: Spike Cut and Paste

• Use the Spike feature to cut and store multiple pieces of text.
• Select the text you want to cut, then press Ctrl + F3 to cut it to the Spike.
• Repeat this for additional text.
• To paste all Spike contents, place your cursor where you want the text and press Ctrl + Shift + F3.

Step 4: Vertical Selection

• To select text vertically, hold down the Alt key and drag your mouse to create a selection box.
• This is useful for editing columns or lists in your document.

Step 5: Shrink One Page

• To condense your document to fit on one page, go to the Page Layout tab.
• Click “Shrink One Page” in the Page Setup section to adjust margins and font size automatically.

Step 6: Customize Ribbon Tabs

• Right-click on the Ribbon and select "Customize the Ribbon".
• Add or remove commands to create a personalized Ribbon for easier access to your most-used features.

Step 7: Use Document Inspector

• Use Document Inspector to find and remove hidden data before sharing your documents.
• Go to File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document to run the inspector and choose what data you want to remove.

Step 8: Advanced Autocorrect

• Customize Autocorrect settings to fix common typos automatically.
• Go to File > Options > Proofing > Autocorrect Options to add new entries or modify existing ones.

Step 9: Customize the Status Bar

• Right-click on the status bar at the bottom of the window to choose which information you want to display, such as word count, page number, or language.

Step 10: Use Advanced Find

• Use the advanced find feature for better search options.
• Press Ctrl + F to open the Navigation Pane, then click on the magnifying glass and select "Advanced Find" for more options like searching by formatting.

Step 11: Take Screenshots

• To insert a screenshot directly into your document, go to Insert > Screenshot.
• Select a window or a screen clipping to add it to your document seamlessly.

Step 12: Change Case Button

• Quickly change the case of selected text by going to the Home tab and clicking on the Change Case button (Aa) to choose from options like UPPERCASE, lowercase, or Sentence case.

Step 13: Use Read Aloud Feature

• To have your document read aloud, go to the Review tab and click on “Read Aloud”.
• This feature is useful for proofreading and ensuring your text flows well.

Step 14: Show/Hide Button

• Use the Show/Hide button (¶) in the Home tab to reveal formatting marks like spaces and paragraph breaks, helping you troubleshoot formatting issues.

Step 15: Compare Documents

• To compare two versions of a document, go to Review > Compare.
• Select the documents you want to compare, and Word will highlight differences, making it easier to merge changes.

Step 16: Quick Parts

• Save time with reusable content using Quick Parts.
• Select the text you want to save, go to Insert > Quick Parts > Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery, and reuse it later.

Step 17: Building Blocks

• Use Building Blocks to create and manage reusable content such as headers, footers, and text boxes.
• Go to Insert > Quick Parts > Building Blocks Organizer to manage your saved blocks.

Conclusion

These hidden features in Microsoft Word can enhance your writing experience and improve efficiency. By implementing these tips, you'll streamline your workflow and utilize the software more effectively. Explore these features further to discover how they can best serve your needs in document creation and editing.