Definition of

word processor

Keyboard

Thanks to word processors, computers allowed the replacement of typewriters.

A word processor is a computer application that allows you to create and edit text documents on a computer . It is a multifunctional software for writing, with different fonts, font sizes, colors, paragraph types, artistic effects and other options.

Typewriter replacement

Word processors fulfill a function similar to that performed by typewriters a few decades ago, although much more complete and complex. In the typewriter, for example, each letter typed by the user was immediately printed on the paper, making erasure impossible.

With a word processor, on the other hand, it is possible to delete and edit the content at any time since its basic functionality is carried out on the screen. Once the writing task is completed, the user has the option of saving the document on a computer medium (either on the hard drive of their computer, on the Internet or on CD) or printing the material.

Functions of a word processor

But these types of computer programs also present another important number of possibilities that have made them essential pieces both in our personal lives and in the workplace. Specifically, they allow us to completely edit a text and make it as attractive as possible. This means, among others, providing it with a specific font, a specific font size, as well as proceeding to use tools to highlight certain words or phrases. That is, it gives us the opportunity to use resources such as bold, italics or underlining.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is one of the best-known word processors.

Nor should we forget the set of possibilities it gives us in terms of text alignment, spacing between paragraphs, indentations, letter color and even the inclusion of numbered lists. More tools made available to word processor users are creating tables or adding elements such as text boxes, hyperlinks, page breaks, headers and footers.

Design and correction

Word processors also allow images and different types of graphics to be interspersed within the text, allowing the creation of more advanced documents by not being limited to written words. With all this, and also using the different page design tools, spectacular results and very attractive documents are achieved.

Another option that word processors provide is the use of a spell checker (an application that detects spelling mistakes and suggests the necessary corrections) or a thesaurus (which recommends alternative words to those written without altering the meaning of the word). text ).

Word Processor Examples

Microsoft Word, WordPerfect y OpenOffice.org Writer son algunos de los procesadores de texto más populares.

It is interesting to highlight the fact that, for example, Word is included within a program package called Microsoft Office that falls into the office category. With them you can create and work with texts, spreadsheets, slide presentations, databases or emails. Hence, these types of sets are vital for the administrative tasks of many companies.