Using Styles in Word

You may have heard the term “styles”.  You may even have seen the button on your toolbar ( ) or ribbon.  But do you know what “styles” do? 

A style in Word lets you define how a piece of text (paragraph) or a single letter (character) will be formatted, and makes it easy for you to apply that formatting throughout your document(s).

There are many advantages to using styles, for example:

Your document will look uniform and professional.

You’ll be able to create an automatic Table of Contents easily and with as much detail as you need.

It’s easy to change the look of one style right throughout the document (e.g. change the size of a level of heading), or to make global changes throughout the document (e.g. change font or font size).

Templates can be set up with styles so your documents reflect your company’s brand.

As technical writers we use styles all the time, but it’s really easy for anyone to make their documents look professional by using styles.

So now I’ve sold you on styles and you’re itching to use them, what next? Good question. Microsoft have some great online tutorials and videos that are worth checking out:

If you’re using Word 2003, go to http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/format-your-document-with-styles-RZ001103924.aspx

If you’re using Word 2007, go to http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/style-basics-in-word-HA010230882.aspx

If you’re using Word 2010, go to http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/videos/video-apply-styles-in-word-2010-VA101820568.aspx?CTT=1