This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some are essential to make our site work; others help us improve the user experience. By using the site, you consent to the placement of these cookies. Read our privacy policy to learn more. What new features are in Wordand is it worth upgrading?
Office 's subscription - based edition of Word has eight new noteworthy features, as follows. Tell Three new features in microsoft word 2016 free download Word's new Tell me what you want to do box on the ribbon pictured below allows you to locate commands and tools, or bypass Word's menus altogether. Instead of navigating menus, you can enter words or phrases into the Tell Me box to access the features or commands you want three new features in microsoft word 2016 free download use.
For example, you might type compress pictures in the Tell Me box, and then select Compress Pictures to launch the Compress Pictures dialog box. The advantage of using the Tell Me tool is you don't three new features in microsoft word 2016 free download to use or memorize Word's menus; in essence, you simply search three new features in microsoft word 2016 free download the tools you want rather than navigate menus.
Smart Lookup: The new Smart Lookup allows you to look up, define, or research words or phrases in Word documents. For example, highlighting and right-clicking the phrase "Indigo Bunting" and then selecting Smart Lookup from the resulting pop-up menu produces multiple web-based search results powered by Microsoft Bingas suggested in the screenshot below.
The advantage of this tool is you can look up, define, or research the words or phrases directly from within Wordwithout having to switch to an internet browser. Ink Equation: The new Ink Equation tool allows you to create complex mathematical equations using your finger, touch stylus, or mouse to draw freehand, and the resulting equation is translated into computer text.
To use this tool, from Word's Insert tab, select EquationInk Equation to launch the equation canvas, and then draw your equation, as suggested in the screenshot below. When you press the Insert button, the resulting equation appears in the Word document as shown below to the left. The equation can later be edited or converted to a linear equation as shown below to the right. Improved version history: Word now keeps a separate file each time you save a document to your OneDrive, and it enables you to revert to any previous version of that document.
To use this feature, save the three new features in microsoft word 2016 free download to your OneDrive, and then press the Activity button located near the top right corner of the Word window this tool looks like a clock, as pictured below to see a list of dates and times the file has previously been saved.
Select a specific version to view or revert to that earlier version of the document. Co-authoring in real time: Documents you save on OneDrive or SharePoint, and then share with your colleagues, can be edited using Word or Word Online in real time, so you and your colleagues will be able to see everyone's edits instantly. Previously, Word's document-sharing tool updated one another's document at predetermined intervals, such as every 15 minutes. Instructions for using this feature are explained in the "Simpler Sharing" item below.
Simpler sharing: Word provides a new Share button pictured in the screenshot above, to the left of the Activity buttonwhich enables you to quickly share your documents saved on SharePoint, OneDrive, or OneDrive for Business as a link or email attachment. To share a three new features in microsoft word 2016 free download, save your Word document online to your OneDrive or SharePoint account, click Share to generate a link or an email invitation, and send that link or email invitation to your three new features in microsoft word 2016 free download as pictured above.
Your colleagues can then open the document and agree to share and view all changes to the document three new features in microsoft word 2016 free download real time when prompted. Thereafter, all approved editors are listed in the Share dialog box as pictured belowand all document edits appear instantly for all users editing the document. New preset shape three new features in microsoft word 2016 free download formats: Word has new preset transparent or semitransparent formats that you can apply to the shapes you insert from the Shapes gallery as shown below.
These transparent formats allow any background text or objects to be viewed through the shape, an example of which is shown below, in which a transparent Flowchart: Multidocuments shape partially floats atop the image of a computer monitor. New Draw tab: Word 's new Draw tab pictured below provides an assortment of drawing and inking tools to help you mark up or illustrate a document.
If your computer or device is touch-enabled, the Draw tab is turned on automatically; otherwise, you can turn on the Draw tab by selecting Customize Ribbon from the FileOptions menu, and then checking the Draw tab box, and clicking OK.
To draw lines or highlight text in Wordfrom the Draw tab, click a pen type to select it, or click or tap the pen type twice to select it and apply a specific thickness, color, or effect. Users can choose from five pen thickness settings ranging from 0.
A few comments about these drawing tools are presented below:. Note: The Draw feature is currently available only to Office subscribers, but it is expected to be included in the next purchase edition of Microsoft Office. Given the new features listed above, you can judge for yourself whether they justify upgrading to Word If you heed my advice, then periodic upgrade decisions are no longer an issue, as subscribers can always upgrade to the latest edition of Microsoft Office for free.
Carlton Collins carlton asaresearch. Do you have technology questions for this column? Or, after reading an answer, do you have a better solution? Send them to jofatech aicpa. We regret being unable to individually answer all submitted questions. Assess your organization's capabilities and progress toward an ideal state of global statutory reporting.
Sponsored by Workiva. Worldwide leaders in public and management accounting. Toggle search Toggle navigation. Breaking News. New features in Word By J. Carlton Collins, CPA. A few comments about these drawing tools are presented below: Ink behaves like shapes: Once you have drawn a shape using the Draw tools, it behaves like the other shapes already included in Word.
You can select the shape, copy it, move it, resize it, change its color, rotate its position, and so on. Tilt your stylus to shade: When drawing with the Pencil tool using a digital stylus or pen mouseyou can tilt the stylus to produce a shading effect, similar to that of a real pencil.
Add more pens: You can add pens to the Draw tab and customize them for future use so you don't have to constantly define your favorite pen settings. Use your finger: On touch-enabled devices, you can use your finger as a stylus, though thin or precise lines can be more difficult to draw with your finger. Animate your inked images: An Ink Replay feature allows you to replay your ink strokes as an animation. Start Inking tool: A new Start Inking tool shows up on the Review tab if you have a touch-enabled computer or device; otherwise, you can add the Start Inking icon to a custom group on any tab, such as the Draw tab, as I have done in the far right of the screenshot to the left.
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