1 Chapter 8 Getting Started with Application Software

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Chapter 8

Getting Started with Application Software

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What’s Inside and on the CD?

• In this chapter, you will:

– Look at common features found in most Windows applications

– Gain a foundation for working with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access

– Discover this material also applies to working with a browser and e-mail

Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

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How do I start and exit Windows applications?

• Before you start – Computer should be on – Start button should be displayed at bottom of screen

• Close all programs – When you are finished using, to free up memory– Before initiating shut down procedures



4Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 8

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• When you install a new program– It is added to All Programs menu– To start, click its name

• Start menu options– symbol represents multiple programs – When you click one of the options, a list is displayed– Click program you want to start


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• Some programs are represented by an icon on Windows desktop as well– Double-click to use these icons

• To close a program– click Close button


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What are the components of an application window?

• An open program is displayed in rectangular application window on the Windows desktop

• Title bar displays:– Name of program– Name of open file– Minimizing, maximizing, and closing buttons

• Menu bar provides access to commands for controlling program


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• Toolbar contains small pictures to use as shortcuts

• Microsoft Office 2007 modules include a ribbon instead of a menu bar– Provides access to commands and options


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• Status bar contains information about current condition of program– Current page number– Zoom level– Web page address

• Side scroll bar moves text or graphic up or down window

• Horizontal scroll bar scrolls documents from side to side



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How do I switch between application windows?

• Open application windows are represented by buttons on taskbar

• Clicking one of these buttons brings it to front of desktop

• An active program is indicated by a distinctly colored taskbar button


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How do I switch between application windows? Cont’d.

• Click any visible part of hidden window to make it active

• If window is minimized, click program button on taskbar to restore it

• When multiple data files are open in a single program such as MS Word, click the Switch Windows command from the Windows group on the View tab


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How do I switch between application windows?


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How do menus and toolbars work?

• Most applications include menu bar

• Typically, a menu bar provides access to all features of program

• Toolbars are typically displayed below menu bar and contain several buttons


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• You can browse through menu items to find all features of program

• To close menu, click menu title or press Esc

• For fast menu access, hold Alt key and press underlined letter


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How does the ribbon work?

• In Microsoft Office 2007, the ribbon replaces the menu bar and toolbars

• Divided into a hierarchy consisting of tabs, groups, and commands– Tabs are divided into groups– Groups contain commands



• The Microsoft Office button leads to many of the commands that existed on the File menu

• The Quick Access toolbar contains commands that you use regularly

• Contextual tabs contain formatting options for an object and appear when an object is selected



• Dialog boxes can be opened from the Dialog Box Launcher in the lower-right corner of a group




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How do I open a file?

• Data is stored in files on hard disks, CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, and other storage media

• Files are referred to in different ways, e.g.:– A Microsoft Word file is called a document, while a

PowerPoint file is called a presentation


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How do I open a file? Cont’d.

• There are several ways to open file:

– Use the Recent Items option on the Start menu– Double-click file shortcut icon if one exists on

windows desktop– Double-click file name from within Windows Explorer– Use Open dialog box provided by application


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How do I open a file? Cont’d.


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How do I save a file?

• When you create a file, you must save it to use it in the future

• Common file problems include– Storage device not available– File not saved– File stored in the wrong folder– File moved– File is corrupted– Incompatible file type– Wrong association– File has the wrong extension– Product or version incompatibility




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• When you first save a file, you must name it

• The file extension is separated from file name by (.) period. Windows will automatically add appropriate extension

• File name extension is associated with particular file format

• Use Save As when you want to change a file’s name or its location






How do I change the settings for an application?

• Most application software is preconfigured with a set of application defaults

• Most software allows you to modify application defaults

• Look for Options or Preferences on the File or Tools menu



• Microsoft Office applications default to folders predefined in Windows

• Don’t assume that the autosave feature is activated as your application default

• Be conservative when you change application defaults




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How do I access help for an application?

• Access help from variety of sources– General questions on software use can be answered by

on–screen Help windows• Comprehensive electronic user manual• Office Online

– Additional help from user manual, CD, or third party books

– Check on-line user groups or publisher’s Web sites

– Use a search engine such as Google to get help


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Documents

1 Chapter 8 Getting Started with Application Software