Working in a text editor and formatting
We learn to type, select and edit text in a text editor, and to make a document look neat using font, size, colour and alignment.
All topics (9 of 11)
Chapter 1. Getting to know the computer
Chapter 2. Files and folders
Chapter 3. Information
Chapter 4. Working with text and graphics
A text editor is a program for typing, editing and saving text (for example, Word or LibreOffice Writer). When typing, you use the cursor, a blinking line that shows where the next character will appear. Press Enter to start a new line, and Backspace or Delete to erase a character.
To do something with part of the text, you first have to select it: drag the mouse over the text while holding the button. A selected piece can be copied (Ctrl+C), cut (Ctrl+X) and pasted somewhere else (Ctrl+V). If you make a mistake, Ctrl+Z undoes the last action.
Formatting means changing how the text looks. You can choose the font, size and colour, and make text bold (Ctrl+B), italic (Ctrl+I) or underlined (Ctrl+U). The alignment of a paragraph can be changed too: left, right, centred or justified.
To make a neat document, follow a few simple rules: make the heading larger and bold, choose one easy-to-read font for the main text, and do not use too many colours. When the document is ready, save it with a clear name.
Key takeaways
- A text editor is used to type, edit and save text.
- Text must be selected before you can act on it.
- Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V and Ctrl+Z are the most useful shortcuts.
- Formatting changes the font, size, colour and alignment.
- A finished document should be saved with a clear name.
Practice tasks
- Write a short text about yourself, 4–5 sentences long, in a text editor.
- Format the heading as 16 pt, bold and centred, and the main text as 12 pt, left-aligned.
- Copy one sentence and paste it three times, then undo the last paste with Ctrl+Z. Explain the result.
Review questions
Test yourself: think first, then reveal the answer.
1What does it mean to format text?Show answerHide answer
To change how text looks, such as font, size, colour and alignment, without changing what it says.2What do you do to copy part of a text?Show answerHide answer
Select it, press Ctrl+C, then press Ctrl+V where you want it.
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