Word 2000

Introduction

By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

• Use show/hide codes

Show/Hide Codes

Whether you realize it or not, when you compose a Word document, non-printing characters are inserted. To assist you when editing, Word can display the non-printing characters it uses to indicate spaces, tabs, and hard returns (created when you press the Enter key).

On the Standard toolbar, you will see the Show/Hide button. See the illustration below:

Show and Hide Buttons

When you select the Show/Hide button, codes for paragraph marks , tabs , and spaces are visible in your document.

If you prefer to display non-printing characters when formatting your document, these symbols will not appear in your printed document.

Why Display Non-Printing Characters?

• General Editing. Display non-printing characters when you need to follow a specified format.
• Combining two paragraphs. Erase the returns that separate paragraphs. Returns are represented on the screen by paragraph symbols . Erasing the symbol will erase the return.
• Deleting tabs. Place the insertion point to the right of the tab symbol , and press the Backspace key.

Display Paragraph Characters:

• It is easier to combine and separate paragraphs by erasing and inserting the actual paragraph symbols.
• Each paragraph symbol contains important information about the format of the paragraph preceding it (type size and style, indentation, borders, etc).

Challenge

• Open a previously saved document.
• Select the Show/Hide Codes button on the Standard toolbar.
• Correct any obvious formatting mistakes you may have made.
• Deselect the Show/Hide Codes button.
• Save your changes.