WordPad Beginners Guide

In this guide I will show you how to get started in WordPad and how to do the basics. WordPad is really simple to use. But if you are new to the computer world then WordPad probably looks difficult to you. So I will break it down and explain how to do the basics in WordPad.

How to Open WordPad

Click your Start button at the bottom of your screen. Then click Programs > Accessories > WordPad. That will open your WordPad program. You will see a blank document when your program opens. You can begin typing from there.

How to Save a Document

Click File > Save As at the top of your program. A dialog box will pop up. Enter the name that you wish to save this document as and locate the place where you want to save the document to. Then click the Save button on that box. To continue saving your document while you are working, click File > Save.

How to Open a Document

Click File > Open at the top of your WordPad program. A dialog box will pop up. Locate the document that you want to open on your computer. Click the document that you want to open and then click the Open button. That will open the document.

How to Change the Font Style

At the top of your window you will see a drop down box that has a font style in it. It will probably say Arial in it. Drop that box down and select the font that you want to use. If you have already typed your words and want to change it, highlight the words with your mouse by dragging the mouse across the words. Then go to the top of your window and change the font style.

How to Change the Font Color

Highlight the words that you want to change the same way you did above. Then click the icon at the top of the window that has a paint tray on it. When you click that icon a menu of colors will drop down. Click the color that you want to use.

How to Change the Font Size

Again, highlight the text that you want to change. Then drop the box down at the top of your screen with the number in it. Select a higher number to make your text bigger. Select a smaller number to make your font smaller.

How to Print a Document

Go to the top of your WordPad program and click File > Print. A box will pop up and ask you how many copies do you want to print. Enter how many copies you want to print and then click the Print button.

How to Underline Text

Highlight the text that you want to underline. Then click the button at the top of your window that has a U with a line under it. That will underline your text.

How to Make Text Bold

To make your text bold, highlight the text that you want to make bold. Then click the button at the top of your window that has a B on it. That will make your text bold.

How to Make Text Italic

Highlight the text, then click the button at the top of your window that has an I on it. That will make your text italic.

That is the basic how to's for WordPad. Keep practicing with WordPad and you will get the hang of it. I hope I have helped a few of you out. If you have any problems, please feel free to contact me using the contact button at the top of this page.