Working with Styles in Microsoft Word 2007
The Perfect Way to Create a Professional Document
Jun 9, 2009
Creating a specific set of styles allows for easier organization within a document as well as the ability to create styles across a whole project. While Microsoft Office Word 2007 offers some default styles, creating styles offers a customizable and personal touch.
Styles Basics
Styles refer the the sets of fonts, font sizes, font weights, colors, and effects that Microsoft has put together for users. On Word 2007, there are eleven style sets to choose from. However, users can create their own or personalize the sets for their use.
Where to Find Styles
On "The Ribbon", ensure that the Home tab is selected. When on the home tab, the styles box is located on the right side of the ribbon. A few clicks of the mouse while on the styles scroll bar will show users several options within a set of styles—from headings, quotes, and book titles; there are plenty of ideas and options to choose from.
Select Change Styles to change the style set, the color set, or the fonts in a style. Also in the Change Styles menu, users can set their style choices as the default set when they start using Word 2007 by selecting Set as Default.
The Styles Window
The styles window reveals a set of styles in list form rather than the form they are seen in on the ribbon. In the styles window, users may select a style, or click the arrow to open a short menu meant for updating or modifying the style. At the bottom of the styles window, there are two check boxes. One check box allows users to preview a style before use and the other allows for users to disable linked styles.
The styles window also features tools to create a new style, inspect a style, and manage a style.
Creating a New Style
- While in the styles window, select Create a New Style. The Create New Style from Formatting Dialog box opens.
- In the first box, type the name for the style.
- Select the style type, what style the new style will be based on, and what style the new style will follow (for example, whether it is a paragraph style or heading style, etc.).
- Select the formatting for the style. Make the changes, choosing from typeface, font effects, size, orientation, spacing, and margins.
- Decide whether or not to include the new style in the Quick Styles List by checking the box.
- Check the box if the new style should be automatically updated in the document.
- Select the radio button next to choose whether or not to apply this style in the current document only, or to apply the style for new documents.
- When finished, select OK. The style will be added to the styles window as well as the style box on the ribbon.
A final note: If desired, while in the styles window, the format button may be selected for further formatting customization.
By following these simple steps, a user can add flair to their documents in a consistent manner by creating custom styles in Word 2007.
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