A blank Word document feels a little less inviting when you're surrounded by unfamiliar buttons. The good news is that you only need a handful of commands to start writing, tidy up the page, and save your work. Start with the Windows desktop steps below, with browser and Mac alternatives called out where they differ.
Start your first document
For a quick browser start, enter word.new in the address bar.
Press Enter.
Sign in if prompted.
In Word on Windows, select File > New > Blank document instead.
Click the page to start typing.
For a ready-made layout in Windows Word, select File > New.
Double-click a template to open it.
To find a particular type of template, enter a document type in Search for online templates.
Press Enter to search.
Replace your chosen template's sample content with your own text.
To continue an existing document on Windows, use File > Open to browse to its location.
In the browser, open an existing Word file stored in OneDrive.
Tip: Start with a blank document to practice, or choose a template for a layout to work from.
Save your work before you get too far
Once you've written a little, give your document a name and a home. These saving steps apply to Word on Windows.
Open File > Save As.
Choose This PC or Browse for local storage, or select an online location.
Enter a filename.
Select Save. Word's default document format is .docx.
Press Ctrl+S to save as you work on Windows, or Command+S on Mac.
To use desktop AutoSave in Word for Microsoft 365, save the document to OneDrive or SharePoint Online.
Turn on AutoSave.
Before changing an original you want to preserve, choose File > Save a Copy to create a separate copy to edit.
Make inconsistent text look tidy
Different formatting from one passage to the next leaves your document looking inconsistent.
Select the text you want to change in Windows Word.
Choose font formatting, Bold, or Italic on the Home tab.
For a list, select the relevant text.
Choose Home > Bullets or Home > Numbering.
To format a section title, select its text.
Choose a heading style from Home > Styles.
Apply that same style to other titles at the same level.
For coordinated formatting across the document, choose a style set under Design > Document Formatting.
Adjust spacing through Design > Paragraph Spacing.
Select Custom Paragraph Spacing to enter your own settings.
If a change looks wrong, press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Command+Z on Mac to undo it.
Add pictures and arrange the page
In Windows Word, select Insert > Pictures.
Choose an image source.
Follow the insertion dialog to add your picture.
To add a table, select Insert > Table.
Choose a grid size for your rows and columns.
Open Layout > Margins to set the space around the page.
Choose a preset, or enter your measurements under Custom Margins.
Set the page orientation through Layout > Orientation > Portrait or Layout > Orientation > Landscape.
To start a new page, place the cursor where that page should begin.
Select Insert > Page Break on Windows or in Word for the web, or Layout > Breaks > Page on Mac.
For automatic page numbers in Windows Word, select Insert > Page Number.
Choose a location and style.
Select Close Header and Footer when you're finished.
Tip: Use a page break to mark exactly where a new page starts.
When your draft is ready, check the details
Before sending your document, give its spelling and grammar a check. Check the length too if you're working toward a word limit.
In Word for Microsoft 365, open Home > Editor or Review > Editor, depending on which path your version offers. Available checks depend on your language and entitlement.
Choose a category to review its suggestions.
For a check directly in the text, right-click an underlined word.
On Mac, select Review > Spelling & Grammar for a manual check.
Read the word count in desktop Word's status bar to see your document's length.
Click the count for detailed statistics.
Select a passage to count only that portion.
In Word for the web, use Review > Word Count > Show Word Count to control the display.
For repeated wording changes in the browser, use Home > Find to locate the text.
Choose Replace to replace matching text.
Share, export, or print your document
To collaborate on a supported cloud-stored document in Word for Windows, select Share in the top-right corner. If a menu opens, select Share again. Enter names or email addresses, choose permissions from the dropdown, and select Send. People with editing permission can work on the shared file together.
For a PDF in Windows Word, select File > Save a Copy, or File > Save As for an unsaved document. Choose Browse, select PDF as the format, and select Save.
On Mac, open File > Save As or File > Save a copy, choose File Format > PDF, and select Save. In Word for the web, use File > Print > Save as PDF.
For a paper copy on Windows, open File > Print. Set Copies, choose your Printer, adjust Settings, and select Print. Word for the web prepares a PDF preview for printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Word for free on a Chromebook?
Yes. Basic editing in Word for the web is free with a Microsoft account. On your Chromebook, visit microsoft365.com, sign in, and open Word. Bookmark the site for easier access. Microsoft's Android Office apps are unsupported on Chromebooks.
How do I install the desktop version of Word?
You need a Microsoft 365 plan that includes desktop apps, Office 2024, or an eligible standalone Word purchase. If your purchase includes an unredeemed product key, enter it at microsoft365.com/setup while signed in to your Microsoft account. Then visit m365.cloud.microsoft/apps using that same account and select Install apps > Install. Run the downloaded installer and follow its prompts. Open Word and complete activation.
How do I recover a Word document I forgot to save?
In Word on Windows, select File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents. Select an available recovery file and choose Open, then save it. Recovery requires an available AutoRecover copy.
How do I start a document on my phone?
Open the dedicated Word app for iPhone or Android and sign in to access your account files. Select New > Blank document, then type with the on-screen keyboard. Available features depend on your account.