How do I create a microsoft account?

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign up for a free account. If you have an Outlook, Hotmail, or Xbox account, use that instead.

How do I go to office.com and sign in?

Open your browser and go to office.com (or microsoft365.com). Sign in with your Microsoft account email and password.

How do I open word and create a document?

Click the blue Word icon. Choose "Blank document" to start from scratch, or pick a template for resumes, letters, and other common formats.

How do I format your document?

Use the Home tab toolbar to change fonts, make text bold or italic, adjust alignment, add bullet lists, and change text color.

How do I save and download?

Your work saves automatically to OneDrive. To download a copy: File then Save As then Download a Copy. Choose .docx (Word format) or .pdf.

How do I share with others?

Click "Share" in the top-right corner. Enter email addresses to invite collaborators. Choose whether they can view only or edit the document.

TekSure — Free Tech Help for Beginners & Seniors

You do not need to buy Microsoft Office to use Microsoft Word. Microsoft offers a free online version called Word Online that runs in your web browser — no download or installation required. It includes most of the features everyday users need for writing letters, creating resumes, formatting documents, and more.

To use Word Online, you need a free Microsoft account. If you have a Hotmail, Outlook, or Xbox account, you already have one. If not, go to account.microsoft.com and create one with your email address.

Once you have an account, go to office.com (or microsoft365.com) and sign in. You will see icons for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other apps. Click the Word icon (the blue W) to get started. You can create a new blank document or choose from templates like resumes, cover letters, flyers, and more.

The Word Online interface looks similar to the desktop version. The toolbar at the top has tabs for Home (fonts, formatting, alignment), Insert (tables, images, links), and more. The most commonly used formatting tools — bold, italic, underline, font size, text color, and alignment — are all on the Home tab.

Your work saves automatically to OneDrive (Microsoft's cloud storage). You never need to press "Save" — it happens continuously as you type. You can access your document later from any computer or phone by going to office.com and signing in.

To download your document as a file, click File then Save As then Download a Copy. You can download it as a Word document (.docx) or PDF. To print, use File then Print or press Ctrl + P (Command + P on Mac).

Word Online also supports collaboration. Click the "Share" button in the top-right corner to invite others to view or edit the document. You can work on the same document at the same time and see each other's changes in real time.

The main limitations of Word Online compared to the paid desktop version: fewer formatting options, no advanced mail merge, and no offline access. But for writing documents, formatting text, creating tables, and basic tasks, Word Online has everything you need.