Microsoft Word: You don't know what you're doing

Most people, when I ask them, say yes when I ask if they know how to use Microsoft Word. When I add: “Do you know how to use styles?” almost all the yesses turn to no.  Although many individuals use the highly popular Microsoft Word application everyday, few realize that the Styles function exists and can make usage much easier.

Make it easier on the machines

Most people know that headings and subheadings in a document make it easier for people to scan and read them. Did you know that using styles to make those headings make it easier for machines—most importantly, search engines—to read your document? If you’re going to put a PDF online, remember this: 

“Never underestimate the importance of styles in a document.”

When a pdf is posted online the use of styles can make it far more accessible.

Make it easier on yourself

In addition to making your content easier for your audience and technology, using styles properly saves you time. Sure, it may take a little while to set up a stylesheet to your liking, but when you do, even if you decide you don’t like the style, you can change it globally.  There are few people that can't use a bit more time in their day.  Make the time you spend at your desk developing documents more efficient by using the Style function in Microsoft Word.

Additionally, when you’ve properly formatted your headings and subheadings, you can auto-generate and re-generate your table of contents, no matter how much editing you do. Even if page numbers change, as long as you’ve used heading styles in your document, Word can find them. Microsoft has a great guide for using Styles .

So learn more and start using this great tool!

Find your Styles in Microsoft Word

Check out this guide for using Microsoft Styles