Word processor
Sometimes abbreviated as WP, a word processor is a program capable of creating, storing, and printing typed documents. Today, the word processor is one of the most frequently used programs on a computer, with Microsoft Word being a popular choice.
Word processors can create multiple types of files, including text files (.txt), rich text files (.rtf), HTML (hypertext markup language) files (.htm & .html), and Word files (.doc & .docx). Some word processors can create XML (extensible markup language) files (.xml).
A word processor should not be confused with a text editor, such as Notepad, that only allows editing and creating plain text documents.
Overview of Word
A word processor presents you with a blank white sheet, as shown below. The text is added to the document area; after it's been inserted, it can be formatted or adjusted to your preference. Below is an example of a blank Microsoft Word window with areas of the window highlighted.
Features of a word processor
Unlike a basic plaintext editor, a word processor offers several additional features that can give your document or other text a more professional appearance. Below are popular features of a word processor.
Some more advanced text editors can perform some of these functions.
- Text formatting - Changing the font, font size, font color, bold, italicizing, underlining, etc.
- Copying, cutting, and pasting - Once text is entered into a document, it can be copied or cut and pasted into the current document or another document.
- Multimedia - Insert clip art, charts, images, pictures, and video into a document.
- Spelling and Grammar - Checks for spelling and grammar errors in a document.
- Adjust the layout - Capable of modifying the margins, size, and layout of a document.
- Find - Word processors allow you to find any word or text in any document quickly.
- Search and Replace - You can use the Search and Replace feature to replace any text throughout a document.
- Indentation and lists - Set and format tabs, bullet lists, and number lists.
- Insert tables - Add tables to a document.
- Word wrap - Word processors can detect the edges of a page or container and automatically wrap the text using word wrap.
- Header and footer - Being able to adjust and change text in the header and footer of a document.
- Thesaurus - Look up alternatives to a word without leaving the program.
- Multiple windows - While working on a document, you can have additional windows with other documents for comparison or move text between documents.
- AutoCorrect - Automatically correct common errors (e.g., typing "teh" and having it autocorrected to "the").
- Mailers and labels - Create mailers or print labels.
- Import data - Import and format data from CSV (comma-separated values), database, or another source.
- Headers and footers - The headers and footers of a document can be customized to contain page numbers, dates, footnotes, or text for all pages or specific pages of the document.
- Merge - Word processors allow data from other documents, files, and sources to be automatically merged into a new document. For example, you can mail merge names into a letter.
- Macros - Set up macros to perform common tasks.
- Collaboration - More modern word processors help multiple people work on the same document at the same time.
Examples and top uses of a word processor
A word processor is one of the most used computer programs because of its versatility in creating a document. Below are examples of how you could use a word processor.
- Book - Write a book.
- Document - Any text document that requires formatting.
- Help documentation - Support documentation for a product or service.
- Journal - Keep a digital version of your daily, weekly, or monthly journal.
- Letter - Write a letter to one or more people. Mail merge could also be used to automatically fill in the name, address, and other fields of the letter.
- Marketing plan - An overview of a plan to help market a new product or service.
- Memo - Create a memo for employees.
- Report - A status report or book report.
- Résumé - Create or maintain your résumé.
Examples of word processor programs
Although Microsoft Word is popular, other word processor programs and services exist. Below are these word processors in alphabetical order.
- Abiword.
- Apple iWork - Pages.
- Apple TextEdit - Apple macOS included word processor.
- Corel WordPerfect.
- Dropbox Paper (online and free).
- Google Docs (online and free).
- LibreOffice -> Writer (free).
- Microsoft Office -> Microsoft Word.
- Microsoft WordPad.
- Microsoft Works (discontinued).
- SoftMaker FreeOffice -> TextMaker (free).
- OpenOffice -> Writer (free).
- SSuite -> WordGraph (free).
- Sun StarOffice (discontinued).
- Textilus (iPad and iPhone).
- Kingsoft WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) Office -> Writer (free).
Word processor advantages over a typewriter
See our typewriter page for a listing of advantages a computer with a word processor has over a typewriter.
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