Mac comes with default iWork package that includes free Pages, Numbers and Keynote apps. However, many of us use Microsoft Word in Windows and have difficulties in using Apple document software. Though Microsoft Office 365 is a premium app for Mac, you have to go for it in order to keep your productivity high when preparing documents. If you are new using Microsoft Word for Mac, here are some useful tips to the app like a pro.
Microsoft Word for Mac
You can purchase Office 365 through Mac App Store as a bundle containing six apps. Alternatively, you can purchase the app online using your Microsoft account and install it on Mac. Earlier, Microsoft was lagging many features in Mac compared to Windows version. However, there are many new features introduced in recent days in Word for Mac and other Office apps.
Here are some of the most useful features, you should try in Microsoft Word for Mac app.
1. Open Multiple Instances of Same Document
Did you ever wonder opening the same document in different and updating in parallel? This is easily possible with Word for Mac. Simply open you document and go to “Window > New Window” menu. This will duplicate the current document in a new window, and you can continue to type your content on the new window. Press “Command + S” to save and close your new window and you can find the updated content on your original document as well.
This is very useful to work on a same document when you have multiple monitors. Similarly, you can also arrange the windows left and right and update the same document.
Related: How to fix slow Microsoft Word document when typing?
2. Hover to Correct Spelling and Grammar
The latest Word for Mac version has a wonderful feature for spelling and grammar check. First, the traditional spelling check you can access by going to “Tools > Spelling and Grammar > Check Document” has a new “Editor” interface. This will show you the suggestions in the right sidebar in elegant manner.
The beauty is that you do not need to go that editor. you can simply hover over the wrong word and get spelling suggestions.
This option is enabled by default in Word for Mac. If it is not working on your app, make sure to update to the latest Word version and follow the below instructions.
- When you are in Word, go to “Word > Preferences” menu.
- Click on “Spelling & Grammar” icon.
- Enable “Check spelling as you type” option under “Spelling” section.
- Close the preferences pop-up and you will see the feature works on the misspelled words when you hover on it.
3. Use Developer Menu
By default, “Developer” menu is hidden in Word for Mac. You can go to preferences and enable “Show developer tab” option under “View” section.
You can insert check box, combo box and other form controls in your documents from “Developer” menu.
4. Resume Assistant
Whether you are preparing a resume for yourselves or someone else, you do not need to pay for the resume writing agencies. Word for Mac has a beautiful “Resume Assistant” powered by LinkedIn. You can access this service by going to “Review > Resume Assistant” menu. Login with your LinkedIn account to get the resume suggestions based on your profile.
5. Insert Images, Icons, Cutout People, Stickers and Illustrations
Many of us know using SmartArt in Word for inserting process diagrams. However, do you know that you can insert royalty free stock images, icons, cutout people, stickers and illustrations? All you can do right inside your document in Word for Mac app. Go to “Insert” menu and choose the item you want to insert on your document.
For example, select “Insert > Pictures > Stock Images” to add stock image. This will open the images in sidebar with predefined categories. You can also use the search box to filter relevant images you need. After finding the item, select and click on “Insert” button to add it in your document. Similarly, you can insert icons, illustrations and cutout people from the sidebar,
Icons and illustrations are very useful that you can drag and adjust the size without losing the quality. These items will help you to make professional documents without searching design elements outside Word for Mac app.
6. Quickly Insert Screenshot
You can quickly insert the screenshot of open applications in your document. Go to “Insert” menu in the ribbon and click on “Screenshot” option. This will show the screenshots of all the open apps on your Mac. Click on an item to insert the corresponding screenshot. Alternatively, you can also select “Screen Clipping” option and take your custom screenshots.
7. Insert Symbols
Word for Mac allows you to insert symbols using different ways. You can go to “Edit > Emoji & Symbols” menu to open the default Mac Character Viewer app. Alternatively, you can also go to “Insert Advanced Symbols” menu to open “Symbol” utility. Here, you can find almost any symbol and insert in your document.
8. Different Number Formats
If you need to use different number formats for list and other purposes in your document, then Word for Mac has an option for you. Go to “Insert” menu from ribbon and then click on “Number” icon. it will open a small pop-up showing different number formats. Enter the number, select the format and click “Insert” button. This will convert the entered number into selected format and insert on your document. You can easily make encircled numbers, numbers inside parenthesis and other formats with this option.
9. Draw on Document
Wanted to make a quick freehand note or draw something on your document? Go to “Draw” menu in the ribbon and start drawing with different pens. You can change the color and size of the pen as per your need and use eraser to delete the drawing if needed.
Alternatively, enable “Draw with Trackpad” to use Mac’s trackpad as a drawing pad to draw with fingers.
Word will treat these drawings as images inserted on your document. Therefore, you can easily move to the place where you want to insert by dragging and moving it.
10. Insert Footnote and Endnote
Training and tutorial documents have footer and end notes for explaining the terms used in-between the document. In this case, you may need to frequently use superscript function for adding citations and references. In Word for Mac, you can go to “Insert” menu from the top menu bar and select “Footnote…” option. On the pop-up dialog box, customize the format and where you want the note to appear.
This will insert the number on the cursor position and add a note at the selected location in your document. You can enter the note and continue preparing your document. Repeat inserting the footnote to continue quick insertions without any additional formatting. When you delete the note number on the document, Word for Mac will automatically delete the corresponding note and adjust the sequence.
Related: 12 tips to improve productivity in Microsoft Word for Windows.
11. Read Aloud
Have a lengthy document and bored to read by sitting in one place? Go to “Review” menu from the ribbon and click on “Read Aloud” icon. this will open a small audio controller, press the play button to start reading the document from the position of the cursor. You can click on the speaker with gear icon on the audio controller and adjust the reading speed and select the voice.
12. Focus and Immersive Reader
If you want to focus on your document without distraction, go to “View” menu from ribbon and select “Focus” icon. This will open the document in full screen view hiding all other controls like ribbon and top menu bar. Press escape key to quit the focus mode and return to normal view.
You can use the “Immersive Reader” option to improve the reading fluency by setting syllables for each word in your document.
13. Use In-built Translator
The last tip for Word for Mac is to use the in-built translator. When you want to translate the document or want to find the meaning of a word in different language then this option will be useful. Go to “Tools” menu in top bar and select “Translate” option. You can choose to translate the selected words or the entire document. The “Translator” sidebar will open, and you can choose the language to get the translate results.
If you have selected the document translation option, the translated document will open in a new window. You can review the content and save it as a new Word document file.
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.