Word Processing: Glossary
Definition of terms used in this chapter:
Alignment guide | a green vertical or horizontal line that displays when you are moving or sizing an object to assist with proper placement |
Artistic effects | formats applied to images that make pictures resemble sketches or paintings |
Blank document | a starting point for creating a new document in Microsoft Word |
Blog | a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style |
Bullet | text symbol such as a small circle that precedes each item in a list |
Bulleted list | a list of items in no particular order that are preceded by a bullet for emphasis and organization |
Format painter | allows you to copy formatting from one item and apply it to another |
Cell | the intersection of a row and column in a table |
Checkbox | a small box that can be clicked to indicate a check is turned on or off to indicate an on or off response |
Cover letter | a letter of introduction that highlights key points in the resume that follows |
Ellipses | informally called dot-dot-dot (…), a series of dots that indicates an intentional omission of a word, sentence, or whole section from a text without altering its original meaning. When selected, additional options appear. |
Em dash | a punctuation symbol that indicates an explanation or emphasis |
Field | placeholders that store and display data, and can perform simple tasks like returning the page number or current date and time |
Footer | the bottom margin of each page |
Formatting marks | characters that display on the screen but do not print, indicating where the Enter key, the Spacebar, and Tab key were pressed, also called non-printing characters |
Indentation | specifies the distance between where the lines in a paragraph start in relation to the left or right margins |
Inside address | the name and address of the person or business who received the letter, positioned below the dateline |
Keyboard shortcut | one or more keys used to perform a menu function or other common functions |
Layout options | picture formatting options that control the manner in which text wraps around a picture or other object |
Leader | the space between tab stops can show a line, dots, or dashes to line up information and guide the reader |
Letterhead | the heading at the top of a sheet of letter paper that typically includes name and address or company logo |
Lock anchor | a feature in Word that allows you to move your image to any position on the same page as the anchor paragraph which forces the object to stay in that position |
Mini toolbar | appears whenever you right-click text in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint and provides a quick-access version of the Font group on the Home tab, plus a few extra buttons from other groups |
Newsletter | a printed or electronic report containing news regarding updates for an organization or business and is sent to interested parties |
One-click row/column insertion | a feature in Word tables that allows users to insert a new row or column by pointing to the desired location and then clicking once |
Page border | a decorative border that appears outside the margins on each page and can be solid, dashed, or an artistic style |
Pictures | images or graphics that are stored locally on a computer or flash drive and can be uploaded to a document to add visual interest |
Present online | a Word feature that allows you to share your documents online using a web browser |
Quick access toolbar | located above the Ribbon (top-left) and provides access to commonly used features and commands, such as Save and Undo/Redo, and is customizable |
Quick styles | an efficient way to add effects to a picture such as a shape, border, and other effects |
Resume | a formal document that provides an overview of professional qualifications for an employment opportunity |
Resume assistant | a feature in Word where you can see suggestions from LinkedIn to enhance your resume |
Save As dialog box | allows the user to specify the drive, directory, and name of a file to save their file |
Screen clipping | allows you to capture an image from your screen |
Shape effects | a grouping of coordinating effects that can be applied to a shape including shadows, glows, reflections, soft edges, bevels, and three-dimensional (3-D) rotations |
Shape outline | allows you to change the outline color, weight (thickness), and style of the outline surrounding a shape |
Shape styles | allows you to apply preset colors and effects to quickly change the appearance of your shape |
Shapes | Lines, arrows, stars, banners, ovals, rectangles, and other basic shapes with which you can illustrate an idea, a process, or a workflow |
Sharpen/Soften | a way to enhance picture details or make pictures more appealing by removing unwanted blemishes on a picture |
Small caps | an attractive font in which no lowercase letters are used, yet the height of lowercase letters is maintained |
SmartArt | a graphical tool that adds visual interest |
Special character | normal characters that don’t appear on standard keyboards; but once inserted into a Word doc, they look the same as keyboard characters |
Spelling and grammar check | identifies spelling and grammatical errors and provides suggestions for correction |
Square text wrapping | the manner in which text displays around an object |
Tab indicator | a button to the left of the ruler that provides tab marker options |
Tab stop | the horizontal position which is set for placing and aligning text on a page |
Table | an arrangement of information organized into rows and columns |
Tags | any word, phrase, or number string related to the file that may help you locate the file later |
Textbox | a moveable, resizable container for text or graphics |
Text effects and typography | decorative formats, such as shadows or colors that make text stand out |
Toggle button | a button that can be turned on and off by clicking it once to turn it on and clicking again to turn it off |
WordArt | gallery of text styles that you can add to your publications to create decorative effects, such as shadowed or mirrored (reflected) text |
Word processing | the act of using a computer program to create, edit, and print documents |
Word processor | software or a device that allows users to create, edit, and print documents |
YouTube | a free video-sharing website |