Open Microsoft Word

This tutorial is based on Microsoft Word 2013 and is written for the computer novice. Although it will help if you know a little bit about getting around on your computer, this tutorial assumes you know nothing about Word. I will begin by showing you how to open the software.

Open Microsoft Word: Windows 7

1. Click the Start button. A menu appears.
2. Click All Programs. A menu appears.
3. Click Microsoft Office 2013. You may need to click and drag the scroll bar to scroll down.
4. Click Word 2013. Microsoft Word opens to the start screen.
5. Click Blank Document. The Microsoft Word window appears.

I see the words "Compatibility Mode" at the top of my window. What does that mean?

When the words "Compatibility Mode" appear at the top of your window that means some of the Word 2013 features are turned off so that the document you create will be compatible with a previous version of Word. To turn off Compatibility mode: 1) Choose the File tab. Word moves to Backstage view and a menu appears along the left side of the window. 2) Choose Info. 3) Click Convert. The Microsoft Word dialog box opens. 4) Click OK.

I do not want to see the start screen when I open Word. Is there a way I can prevent it from appearing?

1) Choose the File tab. Word moves to Backstage view and a menu appears along the left side of the window. 2) Click Options. The Word Options dialog box opens and a menu appears along the left side of the dialog box. 3) Choose General. 4) In the Start Up Options section, uncheck Show the Start Screen When This Application Starts. 5) Click OK. Now when you open Word, you will go directly to a blank document.