If you list "good business communication skills" on your resume,
you should be at least "proficient" with common word processing software.
Here is a list of the things you should be able to do on MS Word to be
called "proficient" and "expert" in the use of the software. Shaded
boxes include tools you will need to complete requirements in Business
Communication I (150:113).
| Software Process | Proficient users should be able to | Expert users should be able to |
| Process text | Cut, copy, insert, and move text
Add bullets and numbering Use the Undo and Repeat command Use the Overtype mode |
Use text flow options (Widows/Orphans options
and keeping lines together)
Use non-breaking spaces |
| Format characters | Apply font styles (Bold and Italic)
Use all underline options Apply character effects (superscript, subscript, strikethrough, small caps and outline) Select and change fonts and font size (automatically and manually) |
|
| Place and align text | Use hyphenation (nonbreaking and soft hyphens)
Align text (Center, Left, Right, and Justified) Set margins Insert page breaks Align text vertically Set line spacing options Insert date and time |
|
| Use paragraph formatting and tab setting options | Use TABS command (Center, Decimal, Left and Right)
Set tabs with leaders Use indentation options (Left, Right, First Line and Hanging Indent) |
|
| Use page numbers, headers and footers and sections | Create and modify page numbers
Create and modify headers and footers Create sections with formatting that differs from other sections Alternate headers and footers |
Create watermarks
Format first page differently than subsequent pages |
| Use styles and templates | Create and apply styles
Edit styles Use templates |
|
| Edit text | Find and replace text
Find specific text (Go to) Navigate through a document Set auto correct exceptions Create and apply frequently used text |
|
| Generate an outline | Create an outline
Modify an outline |
|
| Create documents for use on Internet/Intranet | Save as HTML
Create a hyperlink Browse through files |
|
| Use writing tools | Use the SPELLING command
Use the GRAMMAR command Use the THESAURUS command |
|
| Use columns | Key and edit text in columns
Revise column structure |
Balance column length
Keep text in columns together |
| Create tables | Create and format tables
Add borders and shading to tables Revise tables Modify table structure (merge cells, change height and width) Rotate text in a table |
Import worksheets in a table
Modify worksheets in a table Perform calculations in a table Create worksheets in a table |
| Manage files | Locate and open an existing document
Save a document with the same name Save a document with a different name Create a folder |
Protect documents
Add comments to the file properties |
| Use draw | Create and modify lines and objects
Create and modify 3D shapes |
|
| Print documents and envelopes | Use print preview
Print a document Prepare and print envelopes and labels |
|
| Use footnotes and endnotes | Create footnotes and endnotes
Revise footnotes and endnotes |
|
| Workgroup editing | Track changes to a document
Insert comments Route documents Highlight text in document Create multiple versions of a document Create master documents |
|
| Use charts | Create and modify charts
Import data into charts |
|
| Use forms | Create and modify a form
Create catalogs and lists |
|
| Apply borders and shading | Create and modify page borders
Apply paragraph and section shading |
|
| Insert graphics and special characters | Add graphics
Delete and position graphics Change page orientation Insert fields Insert special characters |
|
| Use macros | Record and run macros
Edit macros Copy, rename, and delete macros Use macros to create templates |
|
| Generate a mail merge | Merge a document using variable data | |
| Use sort | Sort lists, paragraphs, tables
Sort records to be merged |
|
| Generate reference documents | Create and modify a table of contents
Create and modify an index Create cross-reference Use bookmarks |