What is Microsoft Word?

A word processor is a program (for the computer) which helps users prepare documents for production (printing) – the program helps with composition, editing, formatting, and saving into a printable form.  Such programs allow users to use their computers as they would a typewriter – except that the computer will fix errors and format the document in many different ways rather than forcing the person to do it manually (as they used to do on the typewriter).

Microsoft Word is the most common of all the word processing programs, though there are others (such as Word Perfect and Google Docs, an online word processor).  Microsoft Word is usually a part of Microsoft’s Office packet, which also offers graphics programs, as well as various templates for things such as form letters, business forms, and merge mailings.  Word processors make any type of printed material composition and printing infinitely easier than before.  They’ll even offer tools which help edit, such as spell checking, word count, automatic footers and headers, page numbering, etc.  Documents which took hours (or days) to complete on the typewriter can be done in a fraction of the time – and look much more professional – when completed on a word processor.