Overview of Word Processing Tech

Word Processing Tips and Demos

On this page I'm collecting some useful demos for folks who need some support using either Microsoft Word or Google Docs. You don't need to watch everything! Just review what's available here and watch what interests you--and remember, you can turn on captions in YouTube if you need to.

Use Microsoft Office 365 - Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and More - for Free

All of our students have access to Microsoft Office 365. Here's how to get started:

  1. Go to the SMCCCD OneLogin Portal Links to an external site.
  2. Log in with your student user name (the first part of your email address, before the @) and your password (the same one you use to log in to WebSmart and other District services).
  3. Click the tab labeled "mySMCCD All Portal Apps."
  4. On that page, look for the Office 365 tile and click it.
  5. You'll see icons for the Office 365 apps on the left - just click the Word icon to get started. 
    Note: You'll also see an "Install Office" button on the top left. This lets you download and install a student version of the Office 365 apps - but be warned, you may get a lot of pop-up advertisements from Microsoft. Students have complained about this in the past.

Microsoft Word Tutorial

Before you dive into the tutorial, check out my quick Microsoft Word Tips.

This 22-minute video on Microsoft Word Links to an external site. is pretty detailed. To watch only the sections you need, click "SHOW MORE" under the author's note. He provides a detailed list of what he covers, with links that let you jump directly to specific sections.

Google Docs How-Tos

Go to Google's G-Suite Learning Center Links to an external site. for links to detailed Google Docs training and help documents. 

To see Google Docs in action  and learn how to get started, watch this quick tutorial of Google Docs 2020 Links to an external site.:

Apple Pages for MacOS

Pages (along with Numbers and Keynote) is included on every Mac computer and iPad--so if you use one of those devices, it's good to know about. I use Pages on my iPad and move files between that program and Microsoft Word on a laptop, and I've never had a problem (oops, just jinxed myself!).

Here's a short video on using Pages Links to an external site. on a Mac computer--ignore the bit in the opener when the guy says he's also describing Numbers and Keynote; he focuses on Pages:

And here's a 16-minute deep dive into Pages for Mac Links to an external site.: