MS Word

Create a Black Background with White Text

The Problem:

I need to print white text against a black background. I've changed the font color to white, but I'm just getting white text on a white backgroundin other words, sweet flatulent alpacas.

The Solution:

You need to set the background color of the paragraphs involved to black. Drag down the left margin to select the paragraphs, choose Format » Borders and Shading, click the Shading tab, and click the black square in the Fill list. (The color name rectangle will show "Black" when you click the right square.) Choose "Solid (100%)" in the Style drop-down list, and click the OK button.

If you set the background to black, you can leave the font color set to Automatic, and Word will automatically make the font color white so that it contrasts with the background.

Print to a File

The Problem:

My supervisor wants a full-color, glossy printout about the size of a barn door of our annual report. I called the local print-o-rama, and they can do it, but they don't have Word on their computers, and I can't install a copy there just to print. So I'm stuck unless I hike over to Kinko's in the city.

The Solution:

What you need to do is print to a file (that is, save the print output to a file), take the file along to the print shop on a CD or memory card, and print it there. For best results, find out which printer you'll use at the print shop, and then install the driver for that printer on your PC. Choose File » Print, select that printer, check the "Print to file" box, choose any other settings (for example, specify which pages to print), and click the OK button. In the Print to File dialog box, specify the name and location of the file. Copy the file to a CD or memory card and hop along to the print shop. Remember to switch back to the appropriate printer before you try printing another document.