WordPad: frequently asked questions

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.
Which edition of Windows Vista am I using?

Here are answers to some common questions about WordPad.

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What is WordPad?

WordPad is a text-editing program you can use to create and edit documents. Unlike Notepad, WordPad documents can include complex formatting and graphics, and you can link to or embed objects, such as pictures or other documents, within a WordPad document.

How do I open WordPad?

•	Open WordPad by clicking the Start button , clicking Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking WordPad.

How do I create a new WordPad document?

1.	On the File menu, click New.
2.	In the New document type list, select the type of document you want to create, and then click OK.

How do I open a WordPad document?

1.	On the File menu, click Open.
2.	Locate the file that you want to open, and then click Open.

How do I save a WordPad document for the first time?

•	On the File menu, click Save.

How do I save my document with a new name?

•	On the File menu, click Save As, type a different name in the File name box, and then click Save.

How do I print a WordPad document?

1.	On the File menu, click Print.
2.	Click the General tab, select the printer and preferences you want, and then click Print.

How can I see what my document will look like before I print it?

1.	On the File menu, click Print Preview.
2.	When you are finished previewing your document, click Close to close the Print Preview dialog box and return to the document.

How do I insert the current date and time into my document?

1.	Click the location in the document where you want the date and time to appear.
2.	On the Insert menu, click Date and Time.
3.	Click the format you want, and then click OK.

The text in my document runs off the right edge of the screen. How can I see all of my text without scrolling?

On the View menu, click Options.

Under Word wrap, click the option you want.

NoteThe word wrapping options only affect how text appears on your screen, not how the document looks when you print it.

How do I find or replace specific characters or words?

To find specific characters or words

On the Edit menu, click Find.

In the Find what box, type the characters or words you want to find, and then click Find Next.

To find additional instances of the same text, continue to click Find Next.

If you have closed the Find dialog box, you can press F3 to continue searching for the same text.

To replace specific characters or words

1.	On the Edit menu, click Replace.
2.	In the Find what box, type the characters or words you want to find.
3.	In the Replace with box, type the text you want to replace it with.
4.	Click Find Next, and then click Replace. To replace all instances of the text, click Replace All.

What's the difference between embedding and linking an object into WordPad, and how do I do it?

When you embed an object into your document, it becomes a part of your file. Changes you make to embedded objects in your document are not reflected in the original object. When you link an object into your document, you maintain a connection between the two files. Changes you make to linked objects in your document are also reflected in the original object.

To embed or link an object

On the Insert menu, click Object.

Click Create from File, and then click Browse to browse to the file, or type the path and file name in the File box.

To embed or link the object, do one of the following:

•	To embed the object, make sure the Link check box is cleared.
•	To link the object, select the Link check box.

You can also embed an object from another document by using the Copy and Paste commands. You can link an object from another document by using the Copy and Paste Special commands.
To create a new object, in the Insert Object dialog box, click Create New, and then click an object type. When you are finished creating the object, click outside the object.
It's a good idea to embed an object when you want to edit the information separately from the original object or if you think the original object will be unavailable.