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• Microsoft Word is a word processor developed by Microsoft.It was first released on October 25, 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS (1983), Apple Macintosh running the Classic Mac OS (1985), AT&T UNIX PC (1985), Atari ST (1988), OS/2 (1989), Microsoft Windows (1989), SCO Unix.
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A word processor (WP)^[1][2] is a device or computer program that provides for input, editing, formatting and output of text, often with some additional features.

Early word processors were stand-alone devices dedicated to the function, but current word processors are word processor programs running on general purpose computers.

The functions of a word processor program fall somewhere between those of a simple text editor and a fully functioned desktop publishing program. However the distinctions between these three have changed over time, and were unclear after 2010.^[3][4]

Background[edit]

Word processors did not develop out of computer technology. Rather, they evolved from mechanical machines and only later did they merge with the computer field.^[5] The history of word processing is the story of the gradual automation of the physical aspects of writing and editing, and then to the refinement of the technology to make it available to corporations and Individuals.

The term word processing appeared in American offices in early 1970s centered on the idea of streamlining the work to typists, but the meaning soon shifted toward the automation of the whole editing cycle.

At first, the designers of word processing systems combined existing technologies with emerging ones to develop stand-alone equipment, creating a new business distinct from the emerging world of the personal computer. The concept of word processing arose from the more general data processing, which since the 1950s had been the application of computers to business administration.^[6]

Through history, there have been 3 types of word processors: mechanical, electronic and software.

Mechanical word processing[edit]

The first word processing device (a 'Machine for Transcribing Letters' that appears to have been similar to a typewriter) was patented by Henry Mill for a machine that was capable of 'writing so clearly and accurately you could not distinguish it from a printing press'.^[7] More than a century later, another patent appeared in the name of William Austin Burt for the typographer. In the late 19th century, Christopher Latham Sholes^[8] created the first recognizable typewriter that although it was a large size, which was described as a 'literary piano'.^[9]

The only 'word processing' these mechanical systems could perform was to change where letters appeared on the page, to fill in spaces that were previously left on the page, or to skip over lines. It was not until decades later that the introduction of electricity and electronics into typewriters began to help the writer with the mechanical part. The term “word processing” itself was created in the 1950s by Ulrich Steinhilper, a German IBM typewriter sales executive. However, it did not make its appearance in 1960s office management or computing literatures, though many of the ideas, products, and technologies to which it would later be applied were already well known. But by 1971 the term was recognized by the New York Times^[10] as a business 'buzz word'. Word processing paralleled the more general 'data processing', or the application of computers to business administration.

Thus by 1972 discussion of word processing was common in publications devoted to business office management and technology, and by the mid-1970s the term would have been familiar to any office manager who consulted business periodicals.

Electromechanical and electronic word processing[edit]

By the late 1960s, IBM had developed the IBM MT/ST (Magnetic Tape/Selectric Typewriter). This was a model of the IBM Selectric typewriter from the earlier part of this decade, but built into its own desk, and integrated with magnetic tape recording and playback facilities, with controls and a bank of electrical relays. The MT/ST automated word wrap, but it had no screen. This device allowed rewriting text that had been written on another tape and you could collaborate (send the tape to another person for them to edit or make a copy). It was a revolution for the word processing industry. In 1969 the tapes were replaced by magnetic cards. These memory cards were introduced in the side of an extra device that accompanied the MT/ST, able to read and record the work.

In the early 1970s, word processing then became computer-based (although only with single-purpose hardware) with the development of several innovations. Just before the arrival of the personal computer (PC), IBM developed the floppy disk. Also in the early 1970s word-processing systems with a CRT screen display editing were designed.

At this time these stand-alone word processing systems were designed, built, and marketed by several pioneering companies. Linolex Systems was founded in 1970 by James Lincoln and Robert Oleksiak. Linolex based its technology on microprocessors, floppy drives and software. It was a computer-based system for application in the word processing businesses and it sold systems through its own sales force. With a base of installed systems in over 500 sites, Linolex Systems sold 3 million units in 1975 — a year before the Apple computer was released.^[11]

At that time, the Lexitron Corporation also produced a series of dedicated word-processing microcomputers. Lexitron was the first to use a full-sized video display screen (CRT) in its models by 1978. Lexitron also used 5​¹⁄₄ inch floppy diskettes, which became the standard in the personal computer field. The program disk was inserted in one drive, and the system booted up. The data diskette was then put in the second drive. The operating system and the word processing program were combined in one file.^[12]

Another of the early word processing adopters was Vydec, which created in 1973 the first modern text processor, the “Vydec Word Processing System”. It had built-in multiple functions like the ability to share content by diskette and print it.^{[further explanation needed]} The Vydec Word Processing System sold for $12,000 at the time, (about $60,000 adjusted for inflation).^[13]

The Redactron Corporation (organized by Evelyn Berezin in 1969) designed and manufactured editing systems, including correcting/editing typewriters, cassette and card units, and eventually a word processor called the Data Secretary. The Burroughs Corporation acquired Redactron in 1976.^[14]A CRT-based system by Wang Laboratories became one of the most popular systems of the 1970s and early 1980s. The Wang displayed text on a CRT screen, and incorporated virtually every fundamental characteristic of word processors as we know them today, a true office machine, affordable by organizations such as medium-sized law firms, and easily learned and operated by secretarial staff.

The phrase 'word processor' rapidly came to refer to CRT-based machines similar to Wang's. Numerous machines of this kind emerged, typically marketed by traditional office-equipment companies such as IBM, Lanier (AES Data machines - re-badged), CPT, and NBI. All were specialized, dedicated, proprietary systems, with prices in the $10,000 range. Cheap general-purpose personal computers were still the domain of hobbyists.

Japanese word processor devices[edit]

In Japan, even though typewriters with Japanese writing system had widely been used for businesses and governments, they were limited to specialists that are required with special skills due to wide varieties of letters, until computer-based devices came into the market. In 1977, Sharp showcased a prototype of a computer-based word processing dedicated device with Japanese writing system in Business Show in Tokyo^[15][16].

Toshiba released the first Japanese word processor JW-10 in February 1979^[17]. The price was 6,300,000 JPY, equivalent to US$45,000. This is selected as one of the milestones of IEEE^[18].

The Japanese writing system uses vast numbers of kanji (logographic Chinese characters) which require 2 bytes to store, so having one key per each symbol is infeasible. Japanese word processing became possible with the development of the Japanese input method (a sequence of keypresses, with visual feedback, selects a character) -- now widely used in personal computers. Oki launched OKI WORD EDITOR-200 in March 1979 with this kana-based keyboard input system. In 1980 several electronics and office equipment brands entered this rapidly growing market with more compact and affordable devices. While the average unit price in 1980 was 2,000,000 JPY (US$ 14,300), it was dropped to 164,000 JPY (US$ 1,200) in 1985^[19]. Even after personal computers became widely available, Japanese word processors remained popular as they tended to be more portable (an 'office computer' was initially too large to carry around), and become necessities in business and academics, even for private individuals in the second half of the 1980s^[20]. The phrase 'word processor' has been abbreviated as 'Wa-pro' or 'wapuro' in Japanese.

Word processing software[edit]

The final step in word processing came with the advent of the personal computer in the late 1970s and 1980s and with the subsequent creation of word processing software. Word processing systems that would create much more complex and capable text were developed and prices began to fall, making them more accessible to the public.^{[further explanation needed]}

The first word processing program for personal computers (microcomputers) was Electric Pencil, from Michael Shrayer Software, which went on sale in December of 1976. In 1978 WordStar appeared and because of its many new features soon dominated the market. However, WordStar was written for the early CP/M (Control Program–Micro) operating system, and by the time it was rewritten for the newer MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System), it was obsolete. WordPerfect and its competitor Microsoft Word replaced it as the main word processing programs during the MS-DOS era, although there were less successful programs such as XyWrite.

Most early word processing software required users to memorize semi-mnemonic key combinations rather than pressing keys such as 'copy' or 'bold'. Moreover, CP/M lacked cursor keys; for example WordStar used the E-S-D-X-centered 'diamond' for cursor navigation. However, the price differences between dedicated word processors and general-purpose PCs, and the value added to the latter by software such as “killer app” spreadsheet applications, e.g. VisiCalc and Lotus 1-2-3, were so compelling that personal computers and word processing software became serious competition for the dedicated machines and soon dominated the market.

Then in the late 1980s innovations such as the advent of laser printers, a 'typographic' approach to word processing (WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get), using bitmap displays with multiple fonts (pioneered by the Xerox Alto computer and Bravo word processing program), and graphical user interfaces such as “copy and paste” (another Xerox PARC innovation, with the Gypsy word processor). These were popularized by MacWrite on the Apple Macintosh in 1983, and Microsoft Word on the IBM PC in 1984. These were probably the first true WYSIWYG word processors to become known to many people. Of particular interest also is the standardization of TrueType fonts used in both Macintosh and Windows PCs. While the publishers of the operating systems provide TrueType typefaces, they are largely gathered from traditional typefaces converted by smaller font publishing houses to replicate standard fonts. A demand for new and interesting fonts, which can be found free of copyright restrictions, or commissioned from font designers, occurred.

The growing popularity of the Windows operating system in the 1990s later took Microsoft Word along with it. Originally called 'Microsoft Multi-Tool Word', this program quickly became a synonym for “word processor”.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^Enterprise, I. D. G. (1 January 1981). 'Computerworld'. IDG Enterprise. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via Google Books.
2. ^Waterhouse, Shirley A. (1 January 1979). Word processing fundamentals. Canfield Press. ISBN9780064537223. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via Google Books.
3. ^Amanda Presley (28 January 2010). 'What Distinguishes Desktop Publishing From Word Processing?'. Brighthub.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
4. ^'How to Use Microsoft Word as a Desktop Publishing Tool'. PCWorld. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
5. ^Price, Jonathan, and Urban, Linda Pin. The Definitive Word-Processing Book. New York: Viking Penguin Inc., 1984, page xxiii.
6. ^W.A. Kleinschrod, 'The 'Gal Friday' is a Typing Specialist Now,' Administrative Management vol. 32, no. 6, 1971, pp. 20-27
7. ^Hinojosa, Santiago. 'The History of Word Processors'. The Tech Ninja's Dojo. The Tech Ninja. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
8. ^See also Samuel W. Soule and Carlos Glidden.
9. ^The Scientific American, The Type Writer, New York (August 10, 1872)
10. ^ W.D. Smith, “Lag Persists for Business Equipment,” New York Times, 26 Oct. 1971, pp. 59-60.
11. ^ Linolex Systems, Internal Communications & Disclosure in 3M acquisition, The Petritz Collection, 1975.
12. ^'Lexitron VT1200 - RICM'. Ricomputermuseum.org. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
13. ^Hinojosa, Santiago (1 June 2016). 'The History of Word Processors'. The Tech Ninja's Dojo. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
14. ^'Redactron Corporation. @ SNAC'. Snaccooperative.org. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
15. ^'日本語ワードプロセッサ'. IPSJコンピュータ博物館. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
16. ^'【シャープ】 日本語ワープロの試作機'. IPSJコンピュータ博物館. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
17. ^原忠正 (1997). '日本人による日本人のためのワープロ'. 電気学会誌. 電気学会. 117 (3): 175–178. doi:10.1541/ieejjournal.117.175.
18. ^'プレスリリース；当社の日本語ワードプロセッサが「IEEEマイルストーン」に認定'. 東芝. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
19. ^'【富士通】 OASYS 100G'. IPSJコンピュータ博物館. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
20. ^情報処理学会 歴史特別委員会『日本のコンピュータ史』ISBN4274209334 p135-136

Sometimes called Winword, MS Word, or Word, Microsoft Word is a word processor published by Microsoft. It is one of the office productivity applications included in the Microsoft Office suite. Originally developed by Charles Simonyi and Richard Brodie, it was first released in 1983.

Microsoft Word is available for Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Android, and Apple iOS. It can also run on the Linux operating system using WINE.

What is Microsoft Word used for?

Microsoft Word allows you to create professional-quality documents, reports, letters, and résumés. Unlike a plain text editor, Microsoft Word has features including spell check, grammar check, text and font formatting, HTML support, image support, advanced page layout, and more.

What does the Microsoft Word editor look like?

Below is an overview of a Microsoft Word 2010 document.

Microsoft Word Processor

See our Ribbon page for further information on the Ribbon. For an overview of the items contained on the Ribbon, see: Overview of the Microsoft Office Ribbon.

Where do you find or start Microsoft Word?

If you have Microsoft Word or the entire Microsoft Office package installed on Microsoft Windows, you can find Microsoft Word in your Start menu.

Keep in mind that new computers do not include Microsoft Word. It must be purchased and installed before running it on your computer. If you do not want (or cannot afford) to purchase Microsoft Word, you can use a limited version for free at the Microsoft Office website.

There are also free word processing programs you can try that are very similar to Microsoft Word. See: Where can I get a free word processor?

If Microsoft Word is installed on your computer, but you can't find it in your Start menu, use the following steps to launch Microsoft Word manually.

1. Open My Computer.
2. Click on or select the C: drive. If Microsoft Office is installed on a drive other than the C: drive, select that drive instead.
3. Navigate to the Program Files (x86) folder, then the Microsoft Office folder.
4. In the Microsoft Office folder, if there is a root folder, open that folder. Then open the OfficeXX folder, where XX is the version of Office (e.g., Office16 for Microsoft Office 2016). If there is no root folder, look for and open a folder having 'Office' in the name.
5. Look for a file named WINWORD.EXE and click or double-click that file to start the Microsoft Word program.

What are the uses of Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word Processor Online

Microsoft Word is a word processor, and, like other word processors, it's capable of helping users create a variety of different types of documents. For example, users can create a résumé, business contract, instruction document, or a letter to another person. We've included a list of the top uses of a word processor on our word processor page.

How many lines are there on a page in Microsoft Word?

By default, there are 29 lines on one page in Microsoft Word.

What type of files can Microsoft Word create and use?

Early versions of Microsoft Word primarily created and used the .docfile extension, while newer versions of Word create and use the .docx file extension.

More recent versions of Microsoft Word can create and open the following types of files:

• .doc, .docm, .docx
• .dot, .dotm, .dotx
• .htm, .html
• .mht, .mhtml
• .odt
• .pdf
• .rtf
• .txt
• .wps
• .xps
• .xml

Example of a Microsoft Word .doc file

You can download an example of a Microsoft Word .doc document by clicking the Microsoft Word .doc file link.

Why use Word instead of a plain-text editor?

Microsoft Word offers many features not found in a traditional text editor or a plain-text file. Reasons to use Microsoft Word instead of a plain-text editor include the ability to change the formatting (e.g., center), change the font type, size, and color, insert pictures, and much more.

How To Double Space On Microsoft Word Processor

The features above are also available in a rich-text editor, such as WordPad, which is included with Microsoft Windows.

Why use Word instead of a WordPad?

A rich-text editor, like WordPad, offers many of the same basic features as Microsoft Word. Where Microsoft Word differs is the ability to do more advanced features. Some of the advanced features include mail merges, spellchecker, styles, tables, headers & footers, WordArt, columns, margins, and more.

What are the different versions of Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word has had several versions throughout its history. The different releases, along with release dates are listed below.

Windows versions

Microsoft Word Processor Definition

• Word 2019, released in 2018
• Word 2016, released in 2016
• Word 2013, released in 2013
• Word 2010, released in 2010
• Word 2007, released in 2006
• Word 2003, released in 2003
• Word 2002, released in 2001
• Word 2000, released in 1999
• Word 98, released in 1998
• Word 97, released in 1997
• Word 95, released in 1995
• Word 6.0, released in 1993
• Word 2.0, released in 1991
• Word 1.1, released in 1990
• Word 1.0, released in 1989

Mac versions

• Word 2019, released in 2018
• Word 2016, released in 2015
• Word 2011, released in 2010
• Word 2008, released in 2008
• Word 2004, released in 2004
• Word v. X, released in 2001
• Word 2001, released in 2000
• Word 98, released in 1998
• Word 6, released in 1993
• Word 5.1, released in 1992
• Word 5, released in 1991
• Word 4, released in 1989
• Word 3, released in 1987
• Word 1, released in 1985

Related pages

Desktop publishing, Editor, Google Docs, Office, Office 365, Office Online, Software terms, WordPad, Word processor, Word processor terms