What is WordPad?
With most Windows operating systems, WordPad is a free, simple word processor. Resumes, reports, and letters are among the documents that may be created, edited, and formatted with it.
WordPad is a straightforward word processing tool made by Microsoft that comes standard with most versions of the Windows operating system, starting from Windows 95. It serves as a middle ground between the very basic Notepad and more complex word processors like Microsoft Word. With WordPad, users can create, view, and edit text documents with essential formatting features. You have the ability to change fonts, sizes, colors, and align text. Additionally, you can add images, hyperlinks, and utilize bullet points or numbered lists, making it more versatile than simple text editors.
Unlike Notepad, which limits you to plain text (.txt) files, WordPad supports various file formats including Rich Text Format (.rtf), OpenDocument Text (.odt), and Word documents (.docx). However, keep in mind that some advanced formatting might not show up perfectly in WordPad. Its design prioritizes simplicity, making it a great option for anyone who needs to write letters, notes, or basic reports without the overwhelming features found in professional software.
Although WordPad may not fit the bill for creating highly formatted documents or managing large files, it’s a lightweight application that excels at quick editing tasks. Since it's built into Windows, it launches quickly and doesn’t require any additional installation.
Here are some commands you can use in Microsoft WordPad:
Select text: Use Ctrl+A to select all text on the page.
Copy and paste: Use Ctrl+C to copy selected text, and Then Press Ctrl+V to paste it.
Format text: Use Ctrl+B to bold, Ctrl+I to italic, and Ctrl+U to underline selected text.
Change font: Use Ctrl+D or Ctrl+Shift+F to open the font, then choose a font name or size.
Create a bulleted list: Select the text, then say "Set That to Bulleted", "Make That Bulleted", or "Format That Bulleted".
Align text: Selected Text Set Align "Align Left", "Align Right", or "Align Center".
Deselect text: Selected Text use for Unselect "Unselect That".
Save a document: Press Ctrl + S Then Save File, Select File, then Save As to name the file and choose a location.
Open WordPad: Press Ctrl + O Then Open Your Save File "Open WordPad".
Open the File menu: "Click File Tab" in Windows 10 and 11, or "Click Application Menu".
Scroll: Bottom and Right Scroll "Start Scrolling Up", "Scroll Down", "Scroll Faster", or "Scroll Slower".