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Template Editing Guide for Microsoft Word & Publisher

The following editing tips will help you make the changes to your Word and Publisher templates quickly and easily. In no time, you’ll be designing like a professional.

How to convert a document to the current version of Microsoft Word

Some StockLayouts templates were created in older versions of Microsoft Word. Converting older documents to the most recent version lets you access new and enhanced features in Word. To convert an older document:

  1. Click the File tab
  2. Click Info, and then click Convert.
    Note: If you don’t see the Convert button, your document is already up to date.
    If the file is in .doc format, the Convert command also upgrades the file to the .docx format.
Convert Microsoft Word Document to Current Version
Convert document to current version of Microsoft Word

How to add your own text

StockLayouts templates include text boxes filled with Latin placeholder text and suggested copy content for heads and subheads. The text has been carefully formatted and placed in the document to make it easy to customize. Use any of the copy content and edit it in any way you like. To edit text, simply click on it, select it and replace it with your own. Insert a new text box, delete or duplicate an existing text box and layer text boxes on top of one another to achieve special graphic effects.

Replacing placeholder text

Click on the text box, select the placeholder text within it and replace it with your own. Resize the text box as needed to accommodate your copy.

Inserting a new text box
  1. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Text Box, and then click Draw Text Box
  2. Drag to draw the text box the size that you want.
  3. To add text, click inside the box and type or paste your text.
Changing the wrapping style of a text box

Change the wrapping style of a text box to freely place it on the page and to layer it in front of or behind others.

  1. Select the text box you want to change.
  2. On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Wrap Text, and then select In Front of Text.
  3. Move the text box where you want to place it.
Wrap Text Picture Microsoft Word Screen
Change the wrapping style of a text box
Moving a text box forward or backward

Layer text boxes on top of one another to create special effects.

  1. Select the text box you want to move forward or backward.
  2. On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, select Bring Forward, Send Backward, Bring to Front, or Send to Back.
Move Text Forward Backward Microsoft Word Screen
Move a text box forward or backward

How to change font, size and style of text

Font, size, style and color of text has been pre-formatted in the document. Standard fonts, New Times Roman and Arial, are used to demonstrate the suggested style and size of type. Special effects, like expanding or condensing text and increasing or decreasing character spacing, are also used. Keep the existing text treatments or further customize your design project by changing the fonts and special effects to suit your needs.

Applying a different font to text
  1. Select the text you want to change.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Font group, select a font name in the Font box.
Changing the size of text
  1. Select the text you want to change.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Font group, type or select a point size in the Font Size box. For example, type 10.5.
Increasing or decreasing space between characters
  1. Select the text you want to change.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Font group, click the Font Dialog Box Launcher, and then click the Advanced tab.
  3. In the Spacing box, enter the value you want.
Condensing or expanding text
  1. Select the text you want to change.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Font group, click the Font Dialog Box Launcher, and then click the Advanced tab.
  3. In the Scale box, enter the percentage you want.
Changing the color of text
  1. Select the text you want to change.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Font group, click the arrow next to Font Color and then select the color that you want.
Change Font Color Size Text Microsoft Word Screen
Change font, size and style of text

How to add your own pictures and logo

The templates include carefully selected high quality stock photos, original graphic elements and logo artwork. Some pictures and graphics are layered on top of one another to produce artistic results. Insert your own pictures, clip art and graphic shapes, or cut and paste from other StockLayouts templates. Use the existing logo design, customize it, or replace it with your own.

Replacing an existing picture in the template

Note: First, see instructions for converting document to current version of Word.

  1. Click on the picture you want to replace in the template.
  2. On the Picture Tools, Format tab, click Change Picture.
  3. Browse to locate the picture you want to insert.
  4. Double-click the picture that you want to insert.
    Note: You may need to resize or crop the new picture to fit the space.
Inserting a new picture from a file
  1. Click where you want to insert the picture in your document.
  2. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Picture.
  3. Browse to locate the picture you want to insert. For example, you might have a picture file located in My Documents.
  4. Double-click the picture that you want to insert.
    Note: In Word, pictures are inserted at the top left corner of the page. The picture may be hidden behind another graphic. To select the picture, move graphics on top out of the way and change its wrapping style. (see instructions below).
Changing the wrapping style of a picture

Change the wrapping style of a picture to freely place it on the page and to layer it in front or behind others.

  1. Select the picture you want to change.
  2. On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Wrap Text, and then select In Front of Text.
  3. Move the picture where you want to place it.
Wrap Text Picture Microsoft Word Screen
Change the wrapping style of a picture
Selecting graphics placed behind other graphics

Graphics used in the layout file may be layered on top of one another. Click the graphic on top and drag it out of the way to select the graphic behind. Or, change the layer order of the graphic by moving it forward or backward. (see instructions below).

Moving a graphic forward or backward

Layer graphics on top of one another to create artistic effects.

  1. Select the graphic you want to move forward or backward.
  2. On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, select Bring Forward, Send Backward, Bring to Front, or Send to Back.
Move Picture Forward Backward Microsoft Word Screen
Move a graphic or picture forward or backward

Editing pictures, shapes and graphics

StockLayouts templates use pictures and graphics that have been precisely produced using an artistically selected color palette. In Microsoft Office, pictures are photos that were created from another file and inserted into the document. Shapes and clip art are graphics generated within Word or Publisher. Formatting and editing options vary depending on the type of picture or graphic you’re working with.

Grouping and ungrouping objects

Text and graphics may be grouped. To edit graphics individually, first ungroup them.

To ungroup objects:

  1. Select the object you want to ungroup.
  2. On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click the Group icon, then select Ungroup.

To group objects:

  1. Select the objects you want to group. Shift-click to select multiple objects.
  2. On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click the Group icon, then select Group.
Group Ungroup Objects Microsoft Word Screen
Group or ungroup objects
Resizing a picture
  1. Select the picture you want to resize.
  2. Position the mouse pointer over one of the sizing handles.
  3. Drag the sizing handle until the object is the shape and size you want. To maintain the object’s proportions, drag one of the corner sizing handles.
Cropping a picture
  1. Select the picture you want to crop.
  2. On the Format tab, in the Size group, click Crop.
  3. Position the cropping tool over a cropping handle and drag the handle inward until the object is cropped the way you want it.
Crop Picture Microsoft Word Screen
Crop a picture
Advanced formatting of a picture or graphic

Formatting options vary depending on the type of graphic you are editing.

Formatting pictures:
Pictures can be resized, cropped, and color adjusted using brightness and contrast, converting color to black and white or grayscale.

Formatting graphics:
Graphics can be resized, rotated, flipped, and colored. Add borders, patterns and other effects.

To format a picture or graphic:

  1. Select the picture or drawing object you want to edit.
  2. On the Format tab, click the editing option you would like to use.

Additional Microsoft Office Help and Resources

For help while using any Microsoft Office program, press F1.

Find help and support for Office 365, Office 2013, Office 2010 at Microsoft.com.

Find hundreds of free templates for Microsoft Office applications at Office Online.

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