Create a new Word file, open the file in Word 2013

In addition, you also need to know how to open an existing document in a desktop or laptop computer.

Readers can refer to the steps to create and open Word documents in the video below:

I. To create a new document:

When starting a new project in Word, the first step is to open a new blank document:

1. Select the File tab. The Backstage view will appear.

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2. Select New , then select Blank document .

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3. A blank document will appear.

II. Open an existing document

In addition to creating a new document, you will often need to open an existing document that has been previously saved.

1. Navigate to the Backstage view , then click Open .

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2. Select Computer , then click Browse . Or you can choose OneDrive ( formerly known as SkyDrive ) to open the stored file on OneDrive.

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3. Now on the screen, the Open dialog box will appear, navigate and select your document, then click Open .

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1. If you recently opened the desired slide show, you can browse the Recent Documents instead of searching for files.

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Word 2013 also allows you to open existing PDF files as editable documents. This is useful when you want to modify a PDF file.

III. Pin a document

If you work regularly, use a document you can pin the document to the Backstage view for faster access.

1. Navigate to the Backstage view , then click Open .

2. A list of recently edited documents will appear. Hover over the document you want to pin, then click on the pin next to the document. Click the pushpin icon.

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3. The document will be pinned to recent documents until you unpin. To unpin a document, click the pin icon again.

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1. In addition, you can also pin folders to the Backstage view for quick access. From Backstage view , click Open and navigate the folder you want to pin, then click the pin icon.

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IV. Use Template

Templates designed and pre-documented, users can use the Template to create a new document quickly. Templates often include custom formats and designs , which can save you some time and effort when opening a new project.

Create a new document from Template

1. Click the File tab to access the Backstage view.

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2. Then select New . Now, under the Blank document , a series of Templates will appear.

3. You can choose any template to preview.

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4. A preview of the Template will appear on the screen along with additional information on how to use the template.

5. Click Create to use the selected Template.

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6. A new document will appear with the Template you selected .

1. Alternatively, you can browse templates by category or use the search bar to find something more specific.

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It is important to note that not all templates are created by Microsoft . Many templates are created by third-party vendors and even by individual users, so some models may work better than others.

V. Compatibility Mode

In some cases you need to work with documents created on earlier versions of Microsoft Word, such as Word 2010 or Word 2007. When opening these documents, they will be displayed in Compatibility Mode .

Compatibility Mode disables some specific features, so you can only access the program search command used to create the document. For example, if you open a document created in Word 2007 you can only use tabs and commands found in Word 2007.

In the image below, you can see Compatibility Mode can affect the available commands. Because the document in the left pane is opened in Compatibility Mode, only the commands available in Word 2007 are displayed.

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To exit Compatibility Mode, you will have to convert the document to the current version. However, if you're collaborating with people who only have access to early versions of Word, it's best to leave the document in Compatibility Mode, the format won't change.

VI. Convert a document

If you want to access all features on Word 2013, you can convert documents to 2013 file format.

1. Note : File conversion may cause some changes to the original layout of the document.

1. Click the File tab to access the Backstage view.

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2. Navigate and select the Convert command.

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3. A dialog box will appear on the screen. Click OK to confirm the file upgrade.

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4. Documents will be converted to the latest file format.

Having fun!

Samuel Daniel

Update 25 May 2019