8 Time-Saving Microsoft Word Hacks for Increased Productivity

Can you believe that Microsoft Word has now been around for more than 30 years? For many of us, we use the software on a daily basis at work and there’s no debating the fact that, more often than not, certain tasks can be time-consuming!

We all know the simple time-saving hacks of CTRL + C to copy a section of a document and CTRL + V to paste, however, they’re only the basics. When you start to dig around and get to know Word a bit better, you’ll find that there’s a whole host of great shortcuts which can save considerable amounts of time. When it comes to work, time is money.

A recent infographic put together by SilverDoor brings together 8 awesome Microsoft Word hacks to increase your productivity at work. By taking the time to understand each one of these, you’ll learn how you can efficiently:

1. Select everything with a single click:
Instead of manually highlighting each section of your document, simply press CTRL + A to select everything instantly. This keyboard shortcut will save you valuable time when you need to select the entire content of your document.

2. Keep important documents pinned:
Are there certain documents you frequently refer to while working? Simply pin them to your Recent Documents list by right-clicking on the document icon and selecting “Pin to List”. This way, you have quick access to your most important files without having to search for them every time.

3. Break your document up into sections:
If you’re working on a lengthy document, it’s helpful to break it up into sections for easier navigation. To do this, place your cursor where you want to start a new section, then go to the Page Layout tab, click on “Breaks” and choose the appropriate section break option.

4. Convert pasted items to plain text:
When copying content from different sources, the formatting can sometimes get messy. To paste without any formatting, use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + Shift + V. This will convert the pasted content into plain text, so it matches the formatting of your current document.

5. Use portrait and landscape in the same document:
If you need to combine the use of portrait and landscape orientations in your document, you can do so effortlessly. Go to the Page Layout tab, click on “Orientation”, and select either portrait or landscape. Then, go to the section where you want to change the orientation, repeat the steps, and choose the opposite orientation.

6. Set your own shortcuts:
Did you know that you can create custom keyboard shortcuts for specific commands or actions? Simply go to the File tab, click on “Options”, then “Customize Ribbon”. From there, click on “Keyboard Shortcuts” and customize them based on your preference. This feature allows you to streamline your work process and improve efficiency.

7. Use full justification formatting:
Full justification evenly spaces the text between the left and right margins of your document, giving it a professional and polished look. To apply this formatting, go to the Home tab, click on the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the “Paragraph” section, and select “Justify” from the drop-down menu.

8. Set quick styles:
Save time by creating your own set of quick styles for frequently used formatting options. Simply format a piece of text to your desired style, right-click on it, and select “Save Selection as a New Quick Style”. You can then apply this style to other sections of your document with a single click, streamlining the formatting process.

Implementing these 8 awesome Microsoft Word hacks into your daily workflow will significantly increase your productivity at work. Take the time to learn and master these shortcuts, and you’ll be amazed at how much time and effort you can save. Cheers to more efficient and effective document creation with Microsoft Word!

Source: SilverDoor

Featured photo credit: SilverDoor via silverdoor.co.uk