Backstage

This obviously delights a Drama teacher.

In Office 2013 the ribbon holds all the commands to work on your file.
But when you want to work with the file - you now have to go backstage - well, that's what Microsoft calls the behind-the-scenes area. It lets you print, open, save, share etc etc.

You get to the backstage are by selecting the FILE tab.

When you click this (or Alt F if you like keyboard short cuts) the file you are working on temporarily disappears and the screen looks something like this.

Click any of the left side options to do different things.

To go back to your document? Simply click on the arrow top left.

Word 2013 Start Screen

Here's a lovely little graphic from Safari books - detailing the Word start screen.

My Word! Favourite Things About Word 2013

Not a huge amount has changed in the new version of Word. there are new and improved features - but is more about the look and feel of the program - so users shouldn't find it to arduous a switch.

So - Some of my favourite things?

The Design Tab

Allows you to format documents easier.
If you find a look that you'd like to use consistently - use the set as default option.
Yes - this was available before - but now it is all in one easy to find place. There is also heaps more designs to choose from.

Read Mode

Reading or previewing a document see Word automatically resize it into a full window. Click the onscreen arrows to flip through the pages (or swipe if you are on touch screen).

Editing a PDF

So a PDF file is designed to be viewed on any computer - is great to use if you are sending the document to someone and you are uncertain where they have the fonts installed like you - or if you are concerned that formatting may go out the window. They are designed for viewing, rather than editing, so are perfect for a final version that does not need any changes.

To do this. 

Select the FILE tab

Backstage view will appear. 

Click Open

Locate and open the PDF file you want.
A dialogue box will appear to confirm you want to do this. Click OK.

Edit as normal.
When you are ready to save, locate and select the Save command on the Quick Access Toolbar.

The Save As dialogue box will appear. Select your location, file name and file type (using the drop down box). You can choose to save as word or PDF or a myriad of other types.

PowerPoint 2013 Presenter View

If you use PowerPoint in your classroom you will notice the change to the Presenter View.
Basically this lets you use two monitors (your laptop and the projector) - one is what your audience sees, the other gives you an enhanced set of tools.

It does look different and you'll need to have a little practice.

This view can cause issues if you use hyperlinks in your presentations - click on the link and it will show on your laptop - but not on the screen.

You can work around this in two ways.

1. In this view you are basically operating in extended desktop mode. If you ensure that the browser window is open on the extended screen (in this case the projector) it will work fine.

2. You can change the display settings by clicking here and selecting Duplicate Slide Mode.

If you don't want to do this each time you use a PowerPoint simply click on the Slide Show ribbon and uncheck "Use Presenter View"

What's New in Outlook

Follow this link for lots of information on the new things Outlook 2013 can do.

What's New in Word 2013

Check out the new things that Word can do.