Top 3 Word 2010 time saving tips

So you’ve just upgraded to Word 2010 and are working your way around its great functions. We thought now would be a good time to introduce you to some features to make your life even simpler.

1. Quickly insert blocks of text using Quick Parts

Quick Parts is a fantastic feature for formatting your documents quickly and giving them a polished and professional look. From here you can insert fields (e.g. for names or addresses), attractive cover pages, watermarks, page numbers, text boxes and more.

1) To reach the Quick Parts features click on the Insert ribbon and click on

2) To insert fields click on Field from the Quick Parts drop-down menu. Select your chosen field from the left-hand list and click OK.

3) For a variety of useful options such as cover pages, content tables and text boxes, click on Building Blocks Organizer from the Quick parts drop-down menu. Click on your desired feature to select it and click on Insert.

2. Create and apply document styles

Like previous versions of the software, Word 2010 helps us apply styles to our documents easily, making it a doddle to format lengthy documents consistently.

1) To access Styles click on the Home ribbon and you will see a selection of pre-formatted styles to the top-right of your screen.

2) To format a style right-click on one of the styles from this selection and, from the drop-down menu, click on Modify. Select the properties you wish to apply to the style, e.g. font, size, etc., and then click OK.

3) To quickly apply styles throughout your document select the text you wish to change and click on the style you want from the selection pane.

3. Custom dictionaries

Many of us could not live without spellchecker. But whilst this can be a Godsend, it’s not fool proof. Spell check is not a complete resource and it can be distracting when Word continually highlights a word it believes to be misspelt just because it does not appear in its dictionary. But there is a solution to this, since Word 2010 has the option to add custom dictionaries where you can then insert your own words. From proper nouns i.e. company names to industry terminology – anything can be added.

To add a custom dictionary:

1) Click on the File ribbon and then on options.

2) Click on Proofing.

3) Click on Custom Dictionaries and then on New.

4) Insert a name for your new dictionary and click on Save.

You have now created a Microsoft Office User Dictionary to which you can add words at any time.

To add words:

1) In the Custom Dictionaries section, click on the dictionary you wish to add to.

2) Click Edit Word List

3) Enter your desired word in the field provided.

4) Click on Add. Once you have entered as many words as you wish, click on OK.