Word Processing Software

These are programs designed to solve the problems of written work. They use the concept of a typewriter with memory. This type of software is used to produce written material such as letters, memos, reports, projects and books.  

 Some of these programs have the ability to do desktop publishing work.  

Examples of these programs are:

• Microsoft Word,
• Lotus WordPro,
• Amipro, 
• Display Write,
• Wordpad and
• WordPerfect.

The main advantage of using a Word Processor is that the text can be changed on the screen and mistakes corrected until the document is perfect and it can then be printed.

The following can be done by a Word Processor.

1. Formatting (choosing the way the document should look by changing line spacing, setting borders, inserting bullets for highlighting special points, columns etc.)

2. Changing fonts (Styles of printing the letters or characters)

3. Justifying (Align left, Centre, Align right and Justify across the width of the page).

4. You can set up headers and footers, information which will appear on the top and bottom part of all pages in that document.

5. Set up the page for either landscape or portrait print layout.

6. Set margin widths.

7. Grammar and spellings can be checked.

8. Mail merging, whereby variable details from a data file are merged into the same standard letter. Necessary when one wants to send the same letter to different people.