Word Processing Features:  

Microsoft Office Home and Student includes Microsoft Word. Word does not need an introduction—the word processor is running in offices, homes, small businesses and dorm rooms all over the world. Word 2007, however, has been retooled and equipped with new features for the Office 2007 suite. Its interface has been reorganized to be more intuitive and includes useful tools for specific document styles such as letters, academic papers, blogs, etc.

In contrast to other word processors, Word’s interface is much more dynamic. The program responds to the look and structure of your document and suggests actions you are likely to need. For example, if you click on the bottom or top margin of the page, you’ll see an option to insert a header or footer pop up. Microsoft Word also has a preview mode running in real time so you can see what formatting changes will look like before you commit to them.

One of the most impressive extras included with Microsoft Word is the vast archive of templates available for download directly through Word itself. You can find hundreds of templates for professional grade resumes, cover letters, budget sheets, attendance sheets and just about any other useful document type imaginable.

Additional Software:  

Microsoft Office Home and Student also includes the well-known spreadsheet and presentation programs, Excel and PowerPoint. Excel and PowerPoint round out the office suite by adding more advanced productivity tools. Excel 2007 is capable of advanced operations typical of the chemistry lab or physics lecture hall. PowerPoint is increasingly used by lecturers and employers to distribute materials. As is the case with Word, Excel and PowerPoint both give users access to a wealth of useful template downloads.

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 does not include the email client Outlook, which is typically not necessary for home or student use anyway. Instead, it offers a useful note taking program called OneNote. OneNote is a generic application that allows you to store and organize useful information of a few different types. You can catalogue text, images, video, audio, links and common files for later retrieval and use with OneNote. Students will be particularly fond of OneNote.