Absolute Beginners Guide to Computer Basics (2nd Edition)

Microsoft's goal with Microsoft Works is to provide an easy-to-use interface to its most-used applications. To that end, when you launch Microsoft Works, the Works Task Launcher appears onscreen. Along the top of the Task Launcher are buttons that link to five different pages; each page represents a different way to enter a program or document.

The Task Launcher's main pages include

  • Home. The Home page, shown in Figure 12.1, is what you see when you first launch Works Suite. The Home page includes tabs to view your Calendar and Contacts, as well as a Quick Launch bar that lets you launch any Works Suite application directly.

    Figure 12.1. The Home page of the Works Suite Task Launcher.

  • Templates. Use the Templates page to identify a particular type of document you want to createselect the template, and the Task Launcher will launch the appropriate program, with the appropriate template already loaded.

  • Programs. Use the Programs page to launch a specific Works Suite programthen select the task you want that program to perform.

  • Projects. Use the Tasks page to create large-scale projects or open preexisting projectsselect the project, and the Task Launcher will launch the appropriate program along with a step-by-step wizard to get you started.

  • History. Use the History page to reload any document you've recently edited with any Works Suite application.

When Task Launcher is launched, select a page, select a program or task, and then you're ready to work!

Launching a Program

You use the Programs page to launch individual Works Suite applications. Just follow these steps:

1.

From the Works Task Launcher, select the Programs page (shown in Figure 12.2).

Figure 12.2. Use the Programs page to launch a specific Works Suite program.

2.

From the Choose a Program list, select a program.

3.

From the tasks displayed for that program, click a task.

The Task Launcher now launches the program you selected with the appropriate task-based template or wizard loaded.

Creating a New Document

To create a specific type of documentand have Works load the right program for that task, automaticallyyou use the Templates page, as shown in Figure 12.3. Just follow these steps:

1.

From the Works Task Launcher, select the Templates page.

2.

From the Choose a Category list, select a particular type of template.

3.

From the templates displayed for that category, click a specific template.

Figure 12.3. Click the Templates page to get started with a specific taskand let Works Suite figure out which program to launch.

The Task Launcher now launches the appropriate program for your selected template with that template already loaded.

note

In older versions of Works, the Templates page is called the Tasks page.

Opening an Existing Document

If you've been working with Works for awhile, you can use the History page to reopen documents you previously created.

The History page, shown in Figure 12.4, lists all your recently used files, newest files first. For each file, the Task Launcher includes the filename, the date it was originally created, the type of template it's based on (when known), and the program associated with that file. You can re-sort the list of files by any column by clicking on the column header. For example, if you wanted to sort files by name, you would click on the Name header; click a second time to sort in the reverse order.

Figure 12.4. Click the History page to view a list of recent filesclick a column header to sort items by that column.

To open a file listed in the History pane, just click its name. Task Launcher will launch the program associated with that file, and then load the selected file into the program.

Managing a Big Project

tip

If the file you want isn't listed on the History tab, Task Launcher lets you search for that file. When you click the Find Files and Folders link, Task Launcher displays a Windows file/folder window with the search function enabled. You can use this window to search your entire system for specific files.

Moving? Planning a party? Getting ready for the holidays? Microsoft Works helps you with many big projects by offering a ready-made project planner, complete with suggested tasks for each project. Here's what you do:

  1. From the Works Task Launcher, open the Projects page, shown in Figure 12.5.

    Figure 12.5. Open the Projects page to create and manage big projects.

  2. Click the button for the project you want to start.

  3. When the individual page appears, as shown in Figure 12.6, click an item in the To Do list to set a Due Date.

    Figure 12.6. Managing the to-do list of a specific project.

  4. Click the New To Do button to add new items to the To Do list.

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