8 Microsoft Word tips to elevate your work

1. Collaborate in real time

Since Microsoft 365 launched in 2013, you can use Microsoft Word to coauthor documents in real time with your peers. Ditch the days of long email threads with several versions to track and manage. Save your document in Microsoft OneDrive and share the link with the others. You’ll be able to instantly see each other’s edits, changes, and comments.

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2. Create fillable forms

You don’t need an expensive software to create interactive forms, such as surveys, applications, and more. Build and share fillable documents using Microsoft Word. Enable the Developer tab, and add form controls like text fields, checkboxes, date pickers, and drop-down lists to your document. Once you share the form with others, they can fill it out directly in Word too.

3. Translate text

Microsoft Word has a built-in translation feature that allows you to translate text on the fly without leaving your document. Select the text you want to translate, right-click on it, and choose the Translate option. Use this feature to translate documents from foreign languages to your native language or from your native language to other languages. Publish multilingual content that you can share with coworkers and peers around the world.

4. Embed online videos

You might already know that you can upload photos and videos from your device to your Word document. But did you know that Microsoft Word also allows you to insert online videos? Make your document more engaging with a video that you and your audience can watch without leaving Word. Go to the Insert tab, select Online Video, and paste the URL of the video you want and elevate your document’s content.

5. Insert 3D models

Add an immersive touch to your documents with 3D models. Whether you’re creating the tentative design of a product, building an architectural plan, or making scientific visuals, you can use Microsoft Word to get your vision across to your audience. If you don’t have a 3D model to upload, explore the stock library of options that’s built directly into Word. Select the Insert tab and choose 3D Models to make your document more appealing and interactive.

6. Create personalized mail merge

Add a personal touch to your emails, newsletters, invitations, fillable forms, and more with Microsoft Word’s mail merge feature. You can also create personalized envelopes, labels, and directories. Instead of manually editing the document with each reader’s personal information, use this feature to quickly popular personalized messages and documents. Merge your Word document with the list of recipient data, like the readers’ names, from an Excel spreadsheet or your Microsoft Outlook contacts list. Open the Mailings tab and select Start Mail Merge along with the type of document you’re creating to generate mass mail with the readers’ personal information.

7. Conduct online research

Switching between tabs and windows to research information and type out your thoughts can be a tedious process. Luckily, you don’t have to leave Microsoft Word when you’re conducting research. Use the built-in Smart Lookup tool to quickly find online information without opening a browser window. Select a word or phrase in your document, right-click on it, and choose Smart Lookup. Word will show you definitions, images, and other relevant online search results while you’re still in the document.

8. Insert mathematical equations

Use Microsoft Word when you want to explain scientific or technical concepts that use mathematical equations. Word has a built-in equation tool that allows you to create and insert different types of mathematical and scientific equations in your document. You can use a variety of symbols and formatting options for each equation. Whether you’re a student, researcher, scientist, or professor, open the Insert tab and selection Equations to make it easier for you to showcase and notate your work.

Unleash a new level of creativity with these Microsoft Word features. Use these tips to streamline your work, publish high-quality content, and become more productive. Microsoft Word is continuously updating features and tools that you can use with other Microsoft 365 apps to easily collaborate with others and share your work with the world.