Word processing is about preparing a document for some sort of publication. There are many parts to word processing, but the basics include formatting text, controlling page layout and inserting external objects such as graphics.
When learning how to use a word processor, one should already know how to type. When I teach word processing, I give my class a few hundred pages of a classic work (something out of copyright) and have them format the document in a specific way: fonts, line spacing, margins, page numbers, a few graphics. We start with an ASCII text file, usually from Project Gutenberg.
Here is the step that usually sinks one or two students. When an ASCII text file is saved using Word, this cryptic message pops up.
YourFile.txt may contain features that are not compatible with Plain Text format. Do you want to save the document in this format?
To save, click Yes.
To preserve formatting, click No. Then save a copy in the latest Word format.
Most people that get this message will click “Yes”. After all, I want to save my file. I have been formatting this thing for an hour so I certainly want to save my file. How can I go wrong by pressing “Yes” to save my file?
“Yes” will save the file as an ASCII file. ASCII files can’t contain formatting (fonts, line spacing, margins, page numbers, a few graphics). In other words, if you take the time to format a text file and then save it as a text file, you will only have the file you started with and no formatting at all.
The correct thing to do is Save As and select “Word” as the document format. This retains all the formatting. If you don’t go with the “Save As” option, chances are you will become another victim of that confusing message from Microsoft and end up right where you started.