Spotlight
PAGE: https://alison.com/course/introduction-to-microsoft-word-2019-365
PROMISE: Master essential Word 2019 interface and formatting basics in a few hours.
WHO: New administrative assistants or students who need a quick refresher on Word basics.
WHYNOW: You need a solid foundation before starting more complex document projects or reports.
DESC: Learn how to use Microsoft Word 2019 as well as line spacing options, backstage view, format characters, format painter, non-printing characters, AutoCorrect.
BEFORE: You feel lost when looking at the complex Word interface and toolbars.
BEFORE: You print documents that have broken spacing or hidden characters you cannot see.
BEFORE: You spend time manually fixing basic typos and formatting inconsistencies.
AFTER: You know where to find the tabs, backstage, and essential editing tools.
AFTER: You use non-printing characters to spot and fix hidden formatting problems.
AFTER: You apply AutoCorrect settings to save time on repetitive text corrections.
GAIN: A clear understanding of the Word 2019 screen layout and view options.
GAIN: The ability to diagnose and fix hidden formatting issues using non-printing characters.
GAIN: Faster document creation by leveraging AutoCorrect and efficient saving methods.
STEP: You cannot find the right tabs or buttons on the Word screen to start editing. || Identify the various elements on the Word 2019 screen || You navigate the interface efficiently by knowing where every major control is located.
STEP: You are unsure how to adjust margins or view document layout without breaking the format. || Describe the different types of views on Word 2019 || You switch between print and layout views to check how the document will look on paper.
STEP: Your text has strange spacing issues or you cannot make typos disappear automatically. || Describe how to use non-printing characters and line spacing on Word 2019 || You clean up hidden formatting errors and standardize line spacing across your pages.
STEP: You manually fix capitalization and punctuation errors every time you save a document. || Identify various AutoCorrect options in Word 2019 || You let the software handle common spelling mistakes and symbol replacements for you.
NOTFOR: Advanced users who need complex mail merge or macro automation features.
NOTFOR: Teams that require strict version control or collaborative cloud editing workflows.
FACT: Average duration: 3-4 Hours (Contains Video)
FACT: CPD-accredited certificate available
FACT: Beginner level
COVERS: Identify the various elements on the Word 2019 screen
COVERS: Describe the different types of views on Word 2019
COVERS: Analyze the components of the backstage view of Word 2019
COVERS: Describe how to use non-printing characters and line spacing on Word 2019
COVERS: Indicate ways of saving a document on Word 2019
COVERS: Identify various AutoCorrect options in Word 2019
COVERS: Indicate ways of formatting characters in a document on Word 2019
COVERS: Describe the alignment options on Word 2019
COVERS: Identify the various types of indents on Word 2019
COVERS: Outline the major tab options in Word 2019
COVERS: Microsoft Word
MODULE: Introduction || Welcome and Overview | Overview of the MS Word Screen | The Backstage View
MODULE: Getting Started with Word || Creating a New Blank Document | Working with Non-Printing Characters and Line Spacing | Saving a Document | Opening a Document | Navigating a Document | Go To, Find and Replace | Editing a Document | Practice Exercise
MODULE: Character Formatting || AutoCorrect Options | Selecting Text | Cut, Copy, and Paste | Character Formatting Options | Format Painter | Working with Numbers | Working with Bullets | Creating an Outline | Practice Exercise
MODULE: Paragraph Formatting || Alignment Options | Line Spacing Options | Working with Indents | Working with Tabs | Practice Exercise
What you are probably seeing
Files opened in LibreOffice show broken macros or missing add-ins that used to run silently in Excel. Shared spreadsheets lose specific column widths or print settings that clients rely on for their reports.
Automated scripts fail because they target Microsoft-specific APIs or expect files saved in proprietary .xlsb formats that LibreOffice cannot read or write directly.
Why it happens
Legacy workflows were built around Microsoft Office, so file structure and integration points assume Excel-specific features. Teams often hide these dependencies behind shared links, making it hard to see when a format change breaks the chain.
Microsoft 365 bundles file formats with cloud services, meaning a switch to an open-source suite removes access to specific integration hooks and cloud storage triggers.
What changed recently
2026-10-07 · is microsoft office worth it
• Deal covers $940 million over seven years.
• Federal systems run on Microsoft 365 platforms.
• Some countries are switching to Linux office suites.
Source: autocomplete
Step by step
1. List every spreadsheet currently in use and open each one in LibreOffice to test for macro errors or data loss. Identify which files are static data sources and which require active automation or reporting. Remove any add-ins that are strictly Microsoft-dependent and replace them with compatible alternatives or manual checks. Audit your API integrations to see if they pull data from Excel-specific endpoints rather than generic CSV or database sources. Pilot one non-critical workflow in LibreOffice for a week to confirm that your team can maintain output quality without Microsoft-specific features.
Ways to go further
Start here: Microsoft Teams For when you are adopting Microsoft Teams for collaboration. Open the free course on Alison ↗
Better fit: Microsoft Excel 365: From Beginner to Pro For when you need to master complex Excel formulas. Open the free course on Alison ↗
Best when: Introduction to Microsoft Word 2019/365 For when you want a quick reference for Word basics. Open the free course on Alison ↗
Affiliate links: CHEAPUNO may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
Other problems readers raise
Do LibreOffice and ONLYOFFICE mess up Word formatting?
What should I do if Slack is ending service in my region?
Why is task backlog slowing down change efforts?
Do free courses cover process mapping tools that track revenue and cost?
