• A word processor is a computer program that allows the user to compose a document such an essay or letter using a keyboard and a graphical interface. Examples of common word processors are Microsoft Word and Open Office Writer. Word processors can be a convenient way write and edit information or to learn keyboarding skills. For those new to word processing, some basic exercises can help the user become more familiar with the program that they are using.
  
  

Copying Documents

• A basic exercise that can help improve keyboarding ability as well as the ability to use basic formatting in a word processor is reproducing a physical document in digital form by typing it into the word processor. This will the user used to using the enter and tab keys to start new paragraphs and depending on the content of the document being copied, it may require other formatting such as bold or italicized words, underlining and different font sizes. Many word processing programs have toolbars with quick shortcuts that can perform basic formatting; some also have key commands that can be used as shortcuts to perform various functions. For instance, holding the control key and then pressing "B" will format highlighted text to bold in many word processors.
  
  

Printing Documents

• Printing documents is a basic word processing skill. After copying a document, the user can save the document and then go through the printing process. For most word processors, the printing process is simple and can be started by selecting "Print" from the "File" or Windows menu or holding down the control key and pressing "P." After printing a document the user can compare the new document to the original that they typed into the computer to see if they were able to accurately reproduce it.
  
  

Spell Checking

• Many word processors contain spelling and grammar checking tools that can correct mistakes. Running a spelling and grammar check on a document containing errors can help users learn how to effectively use their word processor's spell checker.
  
  

Key Shortcuts

• Certain key shortcuts that are common to many word processors are very useful and worth learning even for beginners. Basic exercises using the copy and paste shortcuts (control+C and control+V, respectively) to copy information from one place to another within a document and the undo and redo shortcuts (control+Z and control+Y respectively) can help users increase their word processing proficiency. Another useful exercise is to use the find command (control+F) to locate specific words or within a large document.