How to Create a Tree-Diagram in MS Word

You can use tree diagrams to represent a series of events visually. 

Tree diagrams help to depict many outcomes for a sequence of potential events. Each potential path looks like a different branch of a tree. That is why it is called a tree diagram. You can effectively use tree diagrams for defining probabilities of events.

2 Methods to create a tree diagram in Microsoft Word:

You can create tree diagrams using:

  • Free Shapes
  • Pre-built SmartArt Diagrams

We will show you both methods in easy, step-by-step instructions.

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How to Display Non-printing Characters in MS Word

In any MS Word document, by default, only the characters you type in are visible. 

But Word also places extra characters in the text for formatting. These characters are normally not visible and will not show up when you print the document. Hence, they are known as non-printing characters.

Sometimes, displaying non-printing characters on the screen helps. You can tell where you have added an extra return or inserted two spaces between words. Once you have finished with the diagnosis, you may want to hide these characters again to view your document as it will be printed.

2 Methods to display non-printing characters in Microsoft Word

Word allows you to:

  • Always display selected non-printing characters,
  • Show or hide Specific non-printing characters.

We will explain the two methods above, and show you their execution in easy, step-by-step instructions.

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How to Single Space in MS Word

Line spacing is the distance between two lines of text in a document. 

The default line spacing differs in various versions of MS Word. Earlier versions of Word had single spacing, but in 2007, Microsoft changed it to 1.5. In later versions, they reduced the default line spacing to 1.08.

Using a line spacing of 1.0 or single spacing compresses the lines and makes the document difficult to read. You can change the default value to be 1.5 or even 2.0 depending on your requirements. 

Increasing the line spacing makes a document easier to read. But keep in mind that it also increases the length of the document.

3 Methods to change single spacing in Microsoft Word:

You can easily set line spacing in your MS Word document by:

  • Adjusting the line spacing
  • Adjusting the paragraph settings
  • Default line setting for a new document

We will show you all the methods in simple, step-by-step instructions.

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How to Combine MS Word Documents

Combining the contents of Microsoft Word documents should be easy. Simply copy and paste one document into the other. This method works well, provided the documents are small.

The copy and paste method becomes tedious when the documents are large. It is even more tedious when merging several large documents.

MS Word makes it easier to combine many documents with a simple method. We will show you this method with easy, step-by-step instructions.

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How to Create a Fishbone Diagram in MS Word

A fishbone diagram depicts the cause-and-effect relationship of a situation or problem. It is typically presented in a pictorial format. That makes it easier to understand the root cause for taking remedial steps.

It is possible to create a fishbone diagram in Microsoft Word using various shapes. Unfortunately, there is no built-in template in Word to create fishbone diagrams.

We will show you simple, step-by-step instructions for creating a fishbone diagram in MS Word.

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How to Create a Family Tree in MS Word

A family tree or a pedigree chart is an illustrative diagram. It has components that demonstrate the history of a family. It uses a chart form to show the relationships of the family members. Using the conventional tree format establishes important lineages.

MS Word makes it easy to create family trees. For creating a family tree, you have two choices:

2 Methods to create a family tree using Microsoft Word:

  • Use Shapes
  • Use SmartArt

We will show you both methods in simple, step-by-step instructions.

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How to Create a Bookmark in MS Word

When reading a physical book, we often place bookmarks before closing the book. Later, these bookmarks help us locate the page we were reading.

You can do the same in an MS Word document.

In fact, you can place several bookmarks to point to specific paragraphs, objects, or images.

Step by Step Instructions to create a bookmark in MS Word

  • Add a Bookmark
  • Go to a Bookmark from the Bookmark Dialog Box
  • Go to a Bookmark from the Go To Dialog Box
  • Link to a Bookmark
  • Make Bookmarks Visible
  • Delete a Bookmark

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How to Fix ‘You can’t make this change because the selection is locked’ Error in MS Word

You are trying to edit a document, but you cannot start editing. MS Word displays an error message “you can’t make this change because the selection is locked.”

There may be many reasons for the above message. Fortunately, it is quite easy to get rid of the problem so you can start editing the document.

We will show you six reasons why the message is displayed, and how to fix each:

  • Activate your Office Suite
  • Edit document from Print Layout
  • Disable Mark as Final
  • Disable Restrict Editing
  • Modify properties of the document
  • Create a New Document

We will use simple, step-by-step instructions.

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How to Print MS Word Document

Even in our digital age, we still need printouts of our electronic documents.

Microsoft Word has many parameters which you can change to ensure you obtain the optimum printed document.

In this article, we will share the three quick methods of printing a document, and then list the many parameters available to customize your printout.

3 Methods to print a Microsoft Word document:

  • Use the menu structure
  • Use a keyboard shortcut
  • Use the Quick Access Toolbar

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How to Type in Small Caps in MS Word

To emphasize text in a document, one might use capital letters, however this is often interpreted as equivalent to shouting. A better alternative is to use small caps when you want to emphasize text.

The difference between regular and small caps is their size. Small caps are of the same height as lowercase letters. Regular caps are larger. 

3 Ways to apply small caps in Microsoft Word:

  • Change existing text to small caps using the Fonts menu.
  • Change existing text to small caps using keyboard shortcuts.
  • Type continuously in small caps. 

We will show you the above in simple, step-by-step instructions.

Let us begin.

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