Hidden Gems in Microsoft Word: Discover 5 Lesser-Known Features

Hidden Gems in Microsoft Word: Discover 5 Lesser-Known Features

Microsoft Word is a powerhouse of features, but many users only scratch the surface of its capabilities. Uncover these hidden gems to become a Word wizard:

1. Spike Your Text (Cut and Paste Multiple Sections)

Ever needed to move multiple pieces of text around in a document? The Spike is your friend.

• How it works:
  1. Highlight a section of text and press Ctrl+F3 (or Cmd+F3 on Mac). This cuts the text and adds it to the Spike.
  2. Repeat for other sections you want to move.
  3. To paste everything from the Spike, press Ctrl+Shift+F3.

This is a lifesaver for rearranging content or collecting information from different parts of a document.

2. Compare Documents Side-by-Side

Need to see the differences between two versions of a document? The Compare feature makes it easy.

• How it works:
  1. Go to the “Review” tab and click “Compare.”
  2. Select the original and revised documents.
  3. Word will create a new document highlighting the changes.

This is invaluable for collaboration, editing, and tracking revisions.

3. Generate Lorem Ipsum Placeholder Text

Need placeholder text for a design mockup or layout? Word can generate Lorem Ipsum on the fly.

• How it works:
  1. Type =lorem(p,s) and press Enter.
  2. Replace p with the number of paragraphs and s with the number of sentences per paragraph.

This saves you time and effort when you need filler text.

4. Translate Text Directly in Word

Working with multilingual documents? Word’s built-in Translator can help.

• How it works:
  1. Highlight the text you want to translate.
  2. Go to the “Review” tab and click “Translate.”
  3. Choose the target language.
  4. You can either insert the translation directly or view it in a separate pane.

This is a convenient tool for understanding documents in other languages or communicating with international colleagues.

5. Customize the Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) is a customizable area where you can add your most-used commands.

• How it works:
  1. Click the small arrow at the end of the QAT.
  2. Choose “More Commands.”
  3. Select the commands you want to add and click “Add.”

This puts your favorite tools right at your fingertips, saving you valuable clicks and time.

Bonus Tip: Explore Word’s online templates for pre-designed documents like resumes, flyers, and reports.