Topic outline

  • Course Introduction

    {GENERICO:type="QuickInfo-2",time="4"}This course will teach you how to create documents using Microsoft Word and Google Docs. It is designed for students with little or no experience with these word processing programs. We will review some basic editing and formatting tools and how to create and print a business letter. Google Docs and Microsoft Word share many of the same formatting features and functions, and most of the features we explore in this course can be used in both programs. If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can use a free 30-day trial of Microsoft Office 365. Google Docs is available for free to anyone with a Google account. Many schools, universities, and public libraries also have at least one word processing program that you can use.

  • Course Syllabus

    First, read the course syllabus. Then, enroll in the course by clicking "Enroll me". Click Unit 1 to read its introduction and learning outcomes. You will then see the learning materials and instructions on how to use them.

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  • Unit 1: Getting Started with Microsoft Word and Google Docs

    In this unit, we discuss the basic on-screen elements of Microsoft Word and Google Docs. We explore the toolbars, menus, commands, and taskbars. Toolbars and menus are located at the top of the screen and list options that allow you to insert, view, or change the layout of a document. Each menu option lists different commands that let you format, save, and print documents. We also discuss the Quick Access Toolbar and learn how to add and delete commands. As you go through this unit, open up your version of Microsoft Word or Google Docs and follow along with the tutorials. This will help you learn as you explore the window and menu environment.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 1 hour.

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  • 1.1: Microsoft Word Window and Menu Environment

    Microsoft Word is a popular word processing program that is part of the Microsoft Office Suite. Many businesses use it to create, edit, format, and organize documents.

    Pages: 3

  • 1.2: Google Docs Window and Menu Environment

    Google Docs is a free web-based word processor offered by Google. Many businesses use it to create, edit, and format documents. Google Docs are especially easy to share online and to collaborate with colleagues. You can access them from anywhere, view and restore older versions of documents if necessary, and allow several users to edit at the same time.

    Pages: 2

  • Unit 2: Creating and Formatting Documents

    In this unit, we explore how to use Microsoft Word and Google Docs to create new documents and documents based on templates. We review the different commands used to format documents, and introduce options for saving and printing documents. As with the previous unit, we encourage you to open up your version of Microsoft Word or Google Docs to follow along with the tutorials. This will help you learn as you practice creating and formatting documents.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

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  • 2.1: Creating Documents

    Now that we have looked into the basic Microsoft Word and Google Docs environment, let's explore how to create a new document. In this section we demonstrate how to use commands to change the font style, such as bold, italics, and underline, and how to save and print your work. We also discuss how you can use themes and colors to change the overall look of your document.

    Pages: 2

  • 2.2 Using and Creating Document Templates

    A template is a pre-designed document you can use as a starting point to create your own document. When you open the template, the fonts, styles, margins, and paragraph settings are already set. For example, one template might include all the formatting elements of a standard business letter, which you would then modify to fit your needs. You can also create your own templates to use later, such as when you need to create the same kind of document over and over.

    Pages: 3

  • 2.3 Basic Tools

    Let's dive in and look at several ways to save and print a document, some simple editing tools, how to insert and resize an image, and how to share documents with Google Docs. Microsoft Word and Google Docs make it easy to create and edit documents that look professional and are easy to read.

    Note that while some of these videos present commands or features of Google Docs or Microsoft Word, both programs share most of these same basic commands.

    Pages: 6

  • 2.4. Basic Formatting Commands

    Formatting refers to the appearance of a document. A confusing layout can be frustrating to read and difficult to understand. Documents that are organized and properly formatted are not only easier to read, but you probably want to highlight the data and information you want your audience to see clearly. For example, you may want to showcase how you and your team were able to achieve a difficult sales goal. In this section, we demonstrate how to use Microsoft Word and Google Docs to format documents as you want them to appear.

    As we noted in the previous section, while some of these videos present commands or features of Google Docs or Microsoft Word, both programs share most of these same basic commands.

    Pages: 7

  • Unit 3: Creating Business Documents

    In this unit, we discuss how to create and format two standard business documents, block-style business letters and memos. Word processing tools allow us to incorporate a variety of font styles to emphasize text. These techniques include creating text that is in bold type, in italics, and underlined. We can also use borders to create a visual break between sections of a document. Finally, we explore how you can add headers and footers to present a polished, professional, and organized business document.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 1 hour.

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  • 3.1: What is a Business Letter?

    Many businesses use standard templates and styles for their memos, letters, and emails. Since these formats are standardized, you can use these templates to quickly create business documents in the proper format.

    Pages: 2

  • 3.2. Creating a Block-Style Letter or Memo

    When creating the basic block-style that many offices use for their emails, memos, and letters, be sure to pay attention to spacing between paragraphs and words, since it is an important component of block-style documents.

    Pages: 3

  • 3.3. Adjusting the Margins and Page Borders of your Business Letter

    Margins are the space between the text and edge of a document. By default, margins in Microsoft Word and Google Docs are set to one inch from the right, top, left, and bottom of the page. You may want to adjust the page margins if, for example, your company uses a logo at the top of the page. We can use page borders to customize documents with background colors and shading. You can apply a border to an entire page, a paragraph, or a section of text.

    Pages: 3

  • 3.4. Creating Headers and Footers for your Business Letter

    This section focuses on how to use headers and footers which we often use when creating documents that have multiple pages. For example, they may contain information, such as the author’s name, date and time, or page numbers. As their names suggest, headers appear at the top of a document, while footers appear at the bottom.

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  • Course Feedback Survey

    Please take a few minutes to give us feedback about this course. We appreciate your feedback, whether you completed the whole course or even just a few resources. Your feedback will help us make our courses better, and we use your feedback each time we make updates to our courses.

    If you come across any urgent problems, email contact@saylor.org.

    URL: 1

  • Certificate Final Exam

    Take this exam if you want to earn a free Course Completion Certificate.

    To receive a free Course Completion Certificate, you will need to earn a grade of 70% or higher on this final exam. Your grade for the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt.

    Once you pass this final exam, you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate.

    Quiz: 1