Customize Default Word Options (Ref. 1)

• 1). Open Microsoft Word 2007.
  
  
• 2). Click the "Microsoft Office Button" and click the "Word Options" button at the bottom of the menu. There are several categories with a variety of default settings. Begin browsing through each category to specify which options you want to enable or disable.
  
  
• 3). Click the "Proofing" tab to specify how you want Word to auto-correct your spelling and grammar, and if you want it to check for spelling and grammar as you type. Choose to check for grammar errors only or grammar and style errors.
  
  
• 4). Click the "Save" tab to set AutoRecover options, in which Word will automatically save your files at regular intervals.
  
  
• 5). Click the "Advanced" tab to view many different advanced options. For instance, scroll to "Cut, Copy and Paste" to specify formatting options for pasting text from other documents. Under "Save," program Word to automatically create backup copies. This will make Word much more efficient by setting up options ahead of time.
  
  
• 6). Continue browsing through "Word Options" until you've specified all the options you prefer.
  
  
• 7). Set a default font so you don't have to choose a new one every time you open a new document. Open a blank document. Click the "Home" tab. In the "Font" group, click the "Font Dialog Box Launcher" (small arrow in the corner). On the "Font" tab, select a font, font style and size that you want to be the default. Click "Default," and then "Yes" to set the font. This will be the default font for any blank document based on the "Normal" template. You also can choose default fonts for other templates. (Ref. 2)
  
  

Customize Quick Access Toolbar

• 1). Change the Quick Access Toolbar, which is the small row of icons at the top of the Word window, above the Ribbon. You can add any shortcuts you want, making it easy to access commands you use regularly. Click the small arrow at the end of the toolbar.
  
  
• 2). Click "More Commands." This will bring up the "Customize" section of "Word Options."
  
  
• 3). Browse the commands by selecting a category and all its commands listed below. When you find a command you want add, such as "Save as" or "Copy," select it and click "Add." It will appear on the right side. Add as many commands as you want; click "OK" to save your changes.
  
  
• 4). Move the Quick Access Toolbar if it's more convenient for you. To do so, click the small arrow on the toolbar, and select "Show Below the Ribbon." This is also helpful if you have a lot of commands on the Quick Access Toolbar.
  
  
• 5). Add commands from the Ribbon to the Quick Access Toolbar if you use only a few commands and don't need the whole Ribbon showing or don't want to keep clicking each tab to find a command. Add a command by right-clicking it on the Ribbon. Select "Add to Quick Access Toolbar." If you want, double-click one of the Ribbon tabs to hide the Ribbon. The tabs remain visible. You can always bring it back by double-clicking a tab.
  
  

Customize Keyboard Shortcuts

• 1). Create your own keyboard shortcuts if you find yourself using certain commands often (and they don't already have a shortcut). To begin, open "Word Options."
  
  
• 2). Click the "Customize" tab.
  
  
• 3). Next to "Keyboard Shortcuts," click the "Customize" button.
  
  
• 4). Select a category and command. Enter a keyboard shortcut to assign it.
  
  
• 5). Add as many keyboard shortcuts as you need. Click "OK."