Turning on the word count feature in Microsoft Word is a simple process that can help you keep track of the number of words in your document. This is especially useful for writers, students, and professionals who need to meet specific word count requirements. To enable this feature, follow a few straightforward steps, and you’ll be able to see your word count in no time.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Turn on Word Count in Microsoft Word
In this section, we’ll walk you through the steps to turn on the word count feature in Microsoft Word. By following these instructions, you’ll have a clear display of your document’s word count at your fingertips.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word
Open the Microsoft Word application on your computer.
This step is important because you cannot access the word count feature without first opening the program.
Step 2: Open Your Document
Open the document for which you want to track the word count.
Make sure the document is fully loaded before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Navigate to the ‘Review’ Tab
Click on the ‘Review’ tab located at the top of the screen.
The ‘Review’ tab contains various tools for reviewing your document, including the word count.
Step 4: Click on ‘Word Count’
In the ‘Review’ tab, find and click on the ‘Word Count’ button.
This button may be in the ‘Proofing’ group, and clicking it will open a dialogue box displaying various statistics, including word count.
Step 5: Check ‘Word Count’ Box in Status Bar
Ensure that the ‘Word Count’ box is checked in the status bar to display the word count continuously.
This step will allow you to see the word count at the bottom of your screen as you type.
After completing these steps, the word count for your document will be displayed in the status bar at the bottom of the Word window. You can now easily keep track of how many words you’ve written at any time.
Tips: How to Turn on Word Count in Microsoft Word
- Use the Keyboard Shortcut: Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + G’ to quickly open the word count dialogue box.
- Word Count for Selected Text: Highlight specific text to see the word count for just that section.
- Update Automatically: The word count displayed in the status bar updates automatically as you type.
- Include or Exclude Footnotes: The word count dialogue box allows you to include or exclude footnotes, endnotes, and text boxes in the count.
- Use the ‘Status Bar’ Settings: Right-click on the status bar and ensure ‘Word Count’ is checked to always display it.
FAQ: How to Turn on Word Count in Microsoft Word
How can I see the word count for a specific section of text?
Highlight the text you want to count, and the word count for the selected text will appear in the status bar.
Does the word count include footnotes and endnotes?
By default, they are included, but you can uncheck the relevant options in the word count dialogue box to exclude them.
Can I keep the word count visible while writing?
Yes, by ensuring ‘Word Count’ is checked in the status bar settings, the count will be visible continuously.
Is there a shortcut to quickly access the word count feature?
Yes, you can press ‘Ctrl + Shift + G’ to open the word count dialogue box instantly.
How do I add the word count feature to the toolbar?
You can customize the Quick Access Toolbar by adding the word count button for one-click access.
Summary of Steps
- Open Microsoft Word.
- Open your document.
- Navigate to the ‘Review’ tab.
- Click on ‘Word Count.’
- Check ‘Word Count’ box in the status bar.
Conclusion
Incorporating the word count feature in Microsoft Word can significantly enhance your writing process. This tool allows you to keep track of your progress and ensure you meet any word requirements. Whether you’re writing an essay, a report, or a novel, knowing the word count can help you manage your time and effort more effectively.
By following the steps outlined above, you can easily enable this feature and integrate it into your daily writing routine. Remember, you can customize your settings to include or exclude footnotes and other elements based on your needs.
For further reading, consider exploring other Microsoft Word features that can streamline your writing process, such as spell check, grammar suggestions, and formatting tools. These features work together to help you produce polished, professional documents with ease.
If you found this tutorial helpful, share it with others who might benefit from it. Happy writing!
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.