How To Activate Classic WordArt In Microsoft Word

Reviving the Nostalgia: A Step by Step Guide to Activating Classic WordArt in Microsoft Word

With the advancement of technology and software updates, some features get lost or become nearly obsolete. One such overlooked feature from our past is Microsoft Word's WordArt, a feature that offered fun and artistic typographic designs. But fear not! You can revive this classic tool and add a touch of nostalgia to your documents. Let's dive into how you can activate classic WordArt in Microsoft Word.

To begin, open up Microsoft Word on your PC or Mac. Remember: this guide is catered towards the most recent versions of Word, but should generally apply to older versions with slight variations.

After opening Word and creating a new document, look at the toolbar at the top of your screen. Click on the 'Insert' tab, which will open up a drop-down menu with various options.

How can I access the previous version of WordArt in Word?

Accessing the previous version of WordArt in Microsoft Word might be a little tricky as newer versions have different interface, but it's not impossible. Here are the steps:

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click on the "Insert" tab located at the top of the screen.
3. In the text panel, click on the "WordArt" drop-down menu.
4. Select the style of WordArt you'd like to use from the list.

Note: If you're looking for the classic styles of WordArt (from Word 2003 or earlier), those can't be accessed directly anymore. However, you can use a workaround by creating a WordArt in Word 2003, saving the file, and then opening that file in your current version of Word.

Remember: Some features from older versions might be incompatible or appear differently in newer versions of Word.

What has become of WordArt in Microsoft Word?

WordArt is a text-styling utility that was first introduced in Microsoft Office 97. Over the years, it has become an essential tool for users looking to add stylistic flair to their documents in Microsoft Word. Despite changes in the overall user interface and functionality of Microsoft Office suite, WordArt has retained a presence, although it's now used slightly differently compared to its initial introduction.

In early versions of Word, WordArt was used to create stylized text with special effects such as gradients, shadows, and outlines. Users could choose a preset style, enter their text, and adjust the size and orientation on the page.

With the release of Office 2007, Microsoft modified WordArt’s interface and features significantly. It became more integrated into Word, with options available directly on the Ribbon, allowing users to apply text effects to existing text rather than creating separate objects. This transformation allowed for more seamless blending of stylized text within standard document text.

The current version of WordArt in Microsoft Word still provides several styles and effects, though less ostentatious than earlier versions. The functionality is now part of the broader "text effects" feature, offering options such as reflection, glow, bevel, and 3D rotation.

While modern WordArt might not offer the same level of novelty as its predecessor, it continues to evolve, serving the needs of users who wish to highlight specific text elements in a more visually engaging way. For those nostalgic for the older styles, some are still available under the 'Transform' text effect in the most recent versions of Microsoft Word.

So, while the popular image of WordArt may be one of rainbow-coloured, slanted text, the reality is that it's grown up alongside the rest of the Microsoft Office Suite. Today, it’s used more often for professional design, rather than novelty, making text effects a versatile tool for Word users.

How can I access the old style WordArt in Office 2013?

To access the old style WordArt in Office 2013, follow these steps:

1. Open your Word document.
2. Click on the "Insert" tab in the toolbar at the top of the screen.
3. In the text group, click on the "WordArt" drop-down arrow.
4. This will open up a menu with a variety of different WordArt styles. These are the new WordArt styles. However, to access the old styles, you need to go to the drawing tools.
5. Click on any given WordArt style, this will create an editable text box with that style.
6. Once you have some WordArt on your page, the "Drawing Tools" option will appear in the toolbar.
7. Click on it and then select "Format".
8. Under the "WordArt Styles" section, click on the "More" button (represented by a small arrow pointing down and to the right).
9. Here you'll find "old style WordArt". You can customize the fill, line color, line style, shadow, reflection, glow, soft edges, 3-D format, and 3-D rotation.

Remember, the old style WordArt has limited options compared to newer versions, but it does offer a retro aesthetic that might be appealing depending on your specific project.

How can I alter the style of WordArt?

To alter the style of WordArt in Microsoft Word, follow these steps: