Todd Nesnick
Microsoft Word has been the industry standard for viewing and editing text documents. According to Britannica, the powerful word-processor application was released in 1983 by Microsoft to compete with WordPerfect, another word-processor software effectively. Currently, Microsoft Word forms an integral part of Microsoft’s Office Suite. Since it is developed and owned by Microsoft, every Windows version is compatible with MS Word. Besides Windows, Word is always supported on macOS, contributing to the app’s already-humongous user base.
The application features a simple and easy-to-use interface, which is one of the many reasons it is used extensively by millions of users all around the globe. Besides this, MS Word also features tons of top-tier features and functionalities that make writing or editing any document very easy. There are numerous features that many users have no idea about. This article will cover how users can download MS Word on their Macs and some of the application’s hidden features that not many users know about. Let us dive right into it:
How to Install MS Word on macOS:
If you own a Mac and wish to get Microsoft Word for writing, editing, and managing .docx files, there are numerous ways following which you can install the app on your device. For instance, if you want Microsoft Office’s full range of applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, etc., you can opt to purchase Office 365 suite’s membership. However, if you only require the standalone MS Word application, you can opt for Microsoft Office 2021 application for Mac. It is a paid suite of applications that requires a one-time purchase fee. Users can choose from numerous versions of the application suite. However, if users opt for this variant of MS Office, they will need to buy the newer version again to access newer features. If neither of the options fits your budget, you can use Microsoft Word Online, a free-to-use version that offers lesser features. To know more about MS Word for Mac, click https://setapp.com/how-to/get-microsoft-word-for-free-on-mac.
Secret Features of MS Word:
Besides having all the necessary features, MS Word also has numerous features that most users have no clue about. Here are some of the “secret” features of MS Word you should know about:
- Enhanced Reading Mode
Microsoft Office offers users an advanced reading mode that prevents them from getting distracted while proofreading important documents. The specialized feature is exclusively available on MS Word versions 2010 and above. One of the quickest ways in which Windows users can access the distraction-free reading mode is by quickly pressing the “Alt” key, followed by pressing the “W” and “F” keys simultaneously. On the other hand, other users can navigate to MS Word’s “View” option present in the Ribbon menu and click on the “Read Mode” option.
- Click and Type
If you use MS Word for brainstorming sessions or putting down your thoughts and imaginations, the “Click and Type” feature of MS Word is the perfect one for you. The feature allows users to click anywhere on the screen and start typing. This significantly helps users jot down their ideas without wasting time. The “Click and Type” acts as a freestyle writing feature that provides Word users with a feature similar to mind mapping applications. Even though it is a default feature available on all versions after MS Word 2000, very few people know about it.
- Equations
Very few users know that MS Word offers a feature using which they can conveniently write equations without worrying about their syntax’s credibility and orientation. The Equation editor functionality of MS Word facilitates users to write down complex equations with ease. To access the feature, you click on the “Insert” tab, click on the option named “Equation,” and select “Insert New Equation.” You can conveniently create new equations for math, physics, or chemistry using the toolbar. Besides, if you want to insert a pre-existing equation, the equation toolbar also features numerous preloaded equations commonly used. To insert the equation, all you need to do is click on it.
- Translate
Even though the Translate option is openly visible in the “Review” tab, most users ignore it. MS Office offers the Translator tool in all of its applications. If you wish to translate a specific sentence, paragraph, or even the whole document, you can use the Translate feature. You can click on the arrow below the Translate icon to select a specific language from numerous available languages. You can also highlight any word and explore its meaning using the sidebar. This feature significantly helps users who wish to add a multilingual feel to their documents and those who want to review documents written in other languages.
Microsoft Word is an immensely powerful word-processor application that features all the best for managing .docx files. Using the features mentioned above, you can use MS Word to its best capabilities.