You can use Microsoft Word Online through Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), which allows you to work on documents via a web browser without needing to install the desktop version. Here`s a step-by-step guide on how to use MS Word Online:
1. Sign in or Sign Up for a Microsoft Account
- If you already have a Microsoft account, sign in at Office.com.
- If you don’t have one, create a free account using your email address.
2. Access Microsoft Word Online
- Once you’re logged in to Office.com, you`ll see the Microsoft 365 homepage.
- Click on the Word icon from the available app options, or go directly to Word Online.
3. Creating or Uploading a Document
- To create a new document: Click on New blank document. This will open a new document for you to start working on.
- To upload an existing document: Click on Upload and open in the Word Online app. Select a Word document from your computer that you want to upload and edit.
4. Using Word Online’s Features
- Basic editing tools: Word Online offers standard editing tools like text formatting (font styles, bold, italics, alignment), bullet points, headings, tables, and more.
- Collaboration: You can share documents with others and collaborate in real-time. Use the Share button to invite people to edit the document.
- Auto-save: All changes made in Word Online are saved automatically to your OneDrive cloud storage.
- Templates: You can also start with ready-made templates for documents like resumes, letters, reports, and more.
5. Saving and Downloading
- Documents are automatically saved in OneDrive. You can also download a copy of your file by going to File > Save As > Download a Copy in Word Online.
6. Additional Features
- Access across devices: Since Word Online is cloud-based, you can access your documents from any device (desktop, tablet, phone) as long as you have internet access.
- File sharing and permissions: You can control who has access to your document by setting permissions (view-only or edit access) when sharing.
Key Limitations Compared to Desktop Word:
- Some advanced features like full formatting options, macros, and certain editing functions are only available on the desktop version of Word.
This should be enough to start using Microsoft Word Online efficiently for your basic document creation and editing needs.