Icons are pictures that are shortcuts to common tasks. Opening a document is faster using the shortcut. Remember: I con see the pretty pictures!
One of the fastest ways to learn about software is to get to know the icons. Many of the icons are the same from program to program. Icons are the little pictures that represent a function. To use them, all you do is click on them. For example, by clicking on the printer icon, your document will print automatically. Once you are familiar with several of the icons, you will be able to use them in programs like: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and others. Other software makers use icons which are similar to Microsoft Office icons. This means that you will automatically know how to use basic functions, no matter which software you are using.
Many of the icons you need are on the Standard Toolbar in Microsoft Office Suite programs. To see the purpose of each icon, slide the mouse on top of them. The icons you should learn first are:
New Blank Document -
Opens a blank template (document), you always start with the "Normal" template.
Open a File -
Open a file from any drive.
Save -
Save your document to a drive.
Printer -
Prints your document.
Print Preview -
Shows you a picture of the document you are working on before you print. This is a very useful tool to look for formatting errors.
Spelling and Grammar -
This icon checks your document for basic spelling and grammar mistakes. This is the start of proofreading your document.
Cut -
The scissors will cut or remove words and pictures from your document. Cut is usually used along with the Paste function.
Copy -
The Copy icon, copies information or pictures and places them on the Clipboard (a temporary storage place). After copying the information, move the insertion point to another place in your document, click on Paste.
Paste -
The Paste icon, places a duplicate copy of information or pictures in a new location.
Undo -
Undo is one of the most used icons of all times. Clicking on Undo, removes the last change you made to your document.
Redo -
Redo is the opposite of Undo. If you just clicked on Undo, then decide you do want that information, click on Redo to bring it back.
Zoom -
Zoom allows you to either shrink or enlarge a document. This is a useful tool to see how your document is progressing.
