By now you would have observed that word processing software has very simple interface using dropdown menus. Most of the commonly used functions have a graphical symbol or icon. This kind of user interface is called Graphical User Interface or GUI (commonly pronounced “gooey”). GUI is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices using images rather than text commands.
Now, you will take a short tour of the different dropdown menus and some of the options under each dropdown menu.
As shown in the figure above, the Ribbon has nine dropdown menus; namely, File , Edit, View, Insert, Format, Table, Tools, Windows and Help. Each dropdown menu further has submenus and commands; some commands are made available using toolbars. Some common operations under the main menu items are:
1. File: Create, Open, Close, Save, Print files etc.
2. Edit: Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, Redo, find & Replace, Record changes (review) etc.
3. View: Layouts, Ruler, enable or disable toolbars, hide/show non printing characters etc.
4. Insert: Breaks, Comments, Header, Footer, Table, Picture, Objects etc.
5. Format: Character and Paragraph formatting, Bullets and Numbering, Alignment, Change case, Grouping objects etc.
6. Table: All Table & Cell operations (Insert, Delete, Select, Merge, Split. Borders), Formula, etc.
7. Tools: Spelling and Grammar, Mail Merge, Foot Notes, End Notes, Macros, etc.
8. Window: Close and Open new window.
9. Help: Use Help and check Product Updates.