A Few Kinds of Word Processors

There are three major types of word processing applications although there are dozens available for use. Each word processing package is different in terms of the exact functions the processing application provides and yet they are inherently similar in that they all will perform, opening, closing, saving, and deleting functions. Microsoft Works Word Processor comes standard as a part of the Microsoft Works package on computers with a Microsoft Windows operating system. Microsoft Word comes inside the Microsoft Office software suite and OpenOffice Writer is included in the OpenOffice software package.

Microsoft Works Word Processor
This application populates a blank page ready to accept writings from a user when it's launched. Standard menu choices of file, edit, view, insert, format, tools and help are available. Clicking on the "Table" item allows the user to insert a table, rows, columns or import another spreadsheet into the document. The next line down shows the standard icon tool bar that includes all the normal functions of opening, saving, formatting, print preview and printing. The font bar allows a user to choose between most standard available fonts. Microsoft Works Word Processor offers document templates to help a user get started such as journals, faxes, flyers, cards, resumes, stationary and address labels.

Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is the word processor that comes part of the Microsoft Office suite. Microsoft Word offers the same functionality as Microsoft Works Word Processor and is similar in layout. The key differences between the two products are the layout options. Microsoft Word allows the user to view the document in full pane view, print layout with rulers up the sides, outline format, draft format and a web layout. Clicking on each of these options changes how the text and overall document is displayed. This word processor allows the use of macros to make repetitive work easier for the user. For those working on various types of research papers, this word processor has a reference section built in that allows the user to simply plug in various pieces of a source and the word processor produces the correct format for citing sources.

OpenOffice Writer
The OpenOffice software suite is offered to the public as open source software with no cost and no licensing requirements. Registration of the product is voluntary whereas the Microsoft products require registration of their products. The OpenOffice software suite is available for download from the internet at openoffice.org. The menu bars in OpenOffice Text Document are similar to that of the Microsoft products. The key difference is that more of the menu choices are listed as picture icons. The pictures illustrate what each function is. This word processor allows the attachment of databases and bibliographies. To make the documents compatible with other software packages OpenOffice allows the document to be saved in a PDF format.