The previous tutorial instructed you to save your file as a ".doc" file. Many instructors will want you to use a different format.
The most common request, is that you save your document as an .rtf file (Rich Text Format). This enables people with different computers and operating systems to read your document clearly.
Follow steps 1-5 of the previous tutorial, "Create and Save a Document," listed again here:
1. To open Microsoft Word, click on the Word icon ("W") on the toolbar or desktop.
If there is no Word icon, click on "START"; follow the menu to "Programs"; follow to Microsoft Office (or other Microsoft operating system used), and to "Microsoft Word." (Sometimes the menu is set up to go directly from "Programs" to "Microsoft Word.")
2. An open (and blank) Word document will open on the screen.
3. Enter document data.
4. When document is finished, click on "File" on the standard toolbar at the top of screen.
5. Click on "Save As".
A window will open that offers many options. Unless otherwise specified, your document will be saved as a . doc file to your "My Documents" File. The "File Name" will be whatever the first line (or partial line) of text reads.
6. Go to the "Save as type" window and click on the small arrow at the right side of the window. A drop-down window will appear.
7. Scroll down to the offering: "Rich Text Format" and click on it. Your document will now be saved as an .rtf file.
8. Select the location you wish to save the file, in the "Save in" box at the top of the newly opened window. Steps 7 and 8 from the previous tutorial are included below (as steps 9 & 10) for your convenience.
9. If you have already set up folders (noted by folder-shaped icons in the large textbox below the "Save in" box. If you wish to save this document in one of the previously created folders, double-click the desired folder. That file name should now appear in the "Save in" text box. Click the "Save" button, and your document will automatically be saved in that folder.
8. If you do not wish to place the document in a file created on the "My documents" folder, click on the "Save in" box (that currently reads: "My Documents.") A drop-down menu will suggest several other places to save your document. Depending on the status of your document, you may store it in one of a number of places.
A note on labeling .rtf files: Your instructor may require you to title your assignments with an exact heading. Consider this while saving your document as an .rtf file. Many instructors will want your name, course number or title, and the title of the assignment.
If you decide to re-name your document, perform the "Save As" function again, and save to another location, or with another title. You may do this as often as you like, but remember, that you will want to delete unwanted copies of your document. These take up valuable memory space, and many confuse you when you are searching for the correct file (document).
Depending on the operating system you are using, there are many ways you may save a document. The newer the OS (Operating System), the more choices you have.
For example, Windows 97 offers the choices:
Word Document
Document Template
Text only
Text only with line breaks
MS-DOS text
MS-DOS text with line breaks
Rich Text Format
Unicode text
HTML document
Word 6.0/95
WordPerfect 5.1 or 5.2 secondary file
WordPerfect 5.0 secondary file
WordPerfect 5.0
WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS
WordPerfect 5.x for Windows
Windows Write 3.0
Works 4.0 for Windows
Word for Windows (Generic)
Windows 1998 with Microsoft Office 2000 offers:
Most of the newer choices from the OS above, plus choices to save as:
Web Page (replaces "HTML")
Encoded Text
Word 4.0, 5.0, and 5.1 for Macintosh
Word 6.0/95
Word 97-2000 and 6.0/95 - RTF
Saving documents in older formats is sometimes helpful when using several computers to create files or documents. Many students use up-to-date computers on campus to begin work, and transfer the work to an older computer at home. Ideally, you should save your work using the most current word-processing program available to you.
