PC Doctor November 30, 2011
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Dear PC Doctor,
I was wondering if there was a way to turn the direction of the page in Microsoft Word. I want the page to lay horizontal instead of portrait.
Barry
Dear Barry,
Yes, it is possible and very easy to change the page layout in Microsoft Word. Click on File in the menu bar, and then select “Page Setup”. Click on the “Sheet” tab, and then change the “Orientation” selection from “Portrait” to “Landscape.” Done! Be aware, if you're planning on printing this document; make sure you change the layout of the print to Landscape, as well.
If you're a fan of OpenOffice, like I am, and want to change the document orientation in that program, click on Format, then go down to Page. From there, click on the Page tab at the top. Then change the setting from portrait to landscape. You'll see the little page example to the right size of the box change to display the changed settings. Press OK and you're ready to go!
PC Doctor
Dear PC Doctor:
A few times now, I've been working on typing a document in Microsoft Word. Sometimes I don't notice a typo until after I've gone on for a bit. When I click after the typo, backspace the mistake and then try to type, the new letters delete the letters that are in front of it! It's like it is backspacing forwards when I type anything new in. What is making this happen and why does it only happen sometimes?
Corrie
Dear Corrie,
Aha, this is a predicament that I have been in many a time. The source of your problem lays with the key on your keyboard that's usually to the right of your backspace key. It's the “Insert” key. You may be accidentally pressing the key without realizing it, thus making it seem like a random occurrence. Unlike when the Caps Lock is on, Insert doesn't turn a little light on to alert you.
At the bottom of the frame of Microsoft Word, there is a box that usually contains the letters “INSRT”. If Insert has been pressed, it will instead say “OVER”. That's one way to immediately tell if it's been turned on. Thankfully, if it does happen, you shouldn't have to worry about retyping if you've run over the text you want to keep. Just click “Edit”, then “Undo” to return to your former state, or just hold down CTRL while tapping Z! Insert is a handy way to backspace in reverse. It may seem a bit awkward, but in some situations, such as computer coding, it's a handy way to move around fast and to make quick changes.
PC Doctor
Until next time… happy computing!
