Tech Tip Tuesday (T3:05)

In last week’s tip, T3:04 | Microsoft Word Styles, I discussed using Styles in Microsoft Word to apply “set it and forget it” formatting in your documents. This week, you will learn how to make Headings and Subheadings using the same principles.

Then, in the next Tech Tip Tuesday, you can use the headings and subheadings to create an automatic Table of Contents. Stay tuned.

For now, open up a blank Word document to get started.

Set Up Three Heading Styles

Type (or copy and paste) the following into a blank Word document:

Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3

Place your cursor after “Heading 1.” Then, follow the instructions here (T3:04 | Microsoft Word Styles) to apply the style “Heading 1.” (Click on the words “Heading 1”). Note how the text changes.

Modify the “Heading 1” style to change the formatting to your liking. For purposes of this example, click on “Format” and choose “Numbering.” Click on capital Roman numerals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, press “Ok” and look at the preview window. Word shows you how your heading will look in the document. You can make any other changes you want (e.g., change the text color and size, add spacing before and after, etc.)

Repeat the process for “Heading 2.” Place your cursor after the words “Heading 2.” Click on “Heading 2”. Next, right click on the words “Heading 2” to modify that style. This time, change the numbering to capital letters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repeat the process for “Heading 3.” Change the numbering to regular numbers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You should now see something like this (don’t forget to show the paragraph marks):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add Some (Random) Text

Now, under Heading 1, type (without the quotes) “=rand(4)” and press space. Word will insert some filler text.

Repeat for Heading 2 and 3. This helps give you a feel for working in a real-world document that will span multiple pages. This will make more sense when you insert the Table of Contents and see the headings on different pages.

Save this document somewhere you can access it easily. Next week, I’ll show you how to insert an automatic Table of Contents.

How do you use Microsoft Word Heading Styles?