| When a program is started, you see the program window. A great thing about Windows XP is that all program windows share similar features (see Figure 1.17). Learning to use one program helps you master key skills for almost all other programs. For example, most programs include a menu bar that works the same in all programs. This section covers some basic skills for working in programs. Figure 1.17. Get familiar with the basic program window features. 
Selecting Commands The top line of the program window is called the title bar and includes the name of the document (or a generic name if the document has not been saved) and the program name. Below the title bar, you'll see the menu bar. You use this to select commands. For instance, open the File menu and select the Save command to save a document. To use a menu, follow these steps: 1. | Click the menu name. The menu drops down and displays a list of commands.
| 2. | Click the command. Depending on the command you select, one of the following happens:
The command is executed. For instance, if you select File, Exit, the program is closed.
You see a submenu. Any commands followed by an arrow display a submenu. Click the command in this menu to execute the selected command.
You see a dialog box prompting you for additional information about how to execute the command. For example, if you select File, Print, you see the Print dialog box. Select options and confirm the command (see Figure 1.18). When printing, for instance, select which printer to use and the number of copies to print and then click Print.
Figure 1.18. The Print dialog box. 
|
tip  | Many commands have a keyboard shortcut. Instead of selecting the command, you can press the keyboard shortcut. For instance, the shortcut for printing is Ctrl+P (press and hold the Ctrl key and then press the P key). These shortcuts are listed next to the command names on the menu. |
You'll find that not only do the menus work the same in most programs, but also many programs include the same commands. For example, you can commonly find a File, Save command for saving documents and a File, Print command for printing documents (both of which are covered in Chapter 2, "Saving and Printing Your Work"). The Edit menu usually has commands for cutting text (Cut), copying text (Copy), and pasting cut or copied text (Paste). The Help menu provides access to online help; you can use the commands in this menu to look up help topics for the program. You learn more about help in Chapter 4, "Troubleshooting Common Problems." Using the Toolbar In addition to using the menus and keyboard shortcuts, you can use toolbar buttons to select commands. Most Windows programs include toolbars, which are displayed right under the menu bar. The buttons vary depending on the program, but most of them are similar. Figure 1.19 shows the toolbar buttons in WordPad. Figure 1.19. Look for a toolbar for fast access to common commands. 
The following list gives you some insight on how to work with toolbars: Toolbar buttons are shortcuts to commands. You can click the button instead of selecting the command. For instance, click the Save button to save a document (which is essentially the same as selecting File, Save). If you aren't sure what a toolbar button does, hover the mouse pointer over the edge of the button. A ScreenTip (the button name) should appear. Some programs have more than one toolbar. Usually, the standard toolbar includes buttons for common commands (Save, Open, New, and so on). The program may also include a toolbar with formatting options (usually called the Formatting toolbar or the Format bar). This toolbar includes buttons that let you quickly make formatting changes such as making text bold, changing the font, and so on. If you see a down arrow next to a command, you can click this arrow to display a drop-down list of choices. Then click the option you want to select. If you don't use the toolbar and you want more room for the document to be displayed, turn off the toolbar. You can also select to display more than one toolbar in some programs such as Word for Windows. Look in the View menu for a Toolbar or Toolbars command. Any toolbars that are checked are displayed (see Figure 1.20). The command is a toggle. Select the command to uncheck and hide the toolbar. To display the toolbar, select it again so that there is a check next to it. Figure 1.20. Turn on or off toolbars using the View menu. 
caution  | If you have not saved a file and you close the program, you will be prompted to save. To save the document, click Yes. To close the document without saving, click No. (Do this if you don't need the document or if you want to abandon any changes you made.) To return to the document without exiting the program, click Cancel. |
|
