Microsoft Word Alternatives

We all need to use a word processor from time to time. Typically the one we turn to is Microsoft Word. Unfortunately Microsoft Word can be cumbersome to use and it can run slowly. And many users don’t utilize all of the features it offers.

Too many features with Word?

The downside of all this additional stuff? Microsoft Word is clunky. It can be slow. And it can be infuriating. The program will automatically indent numbered columns, for instance, even when users don’t want this done. It often underlines “grammar mistakes” that are not really mistakes. Then there are the times when Word forcibly capitalizes words that users don’t want capitalized. There may be ways to turn these features off, but most users will never find them in the many buttons and links stretched across the top of Microsoft Word.

If you do not use all of the features of Word and are looking for the best alternative, there are several out there. The best thing about them is that they don’t cost anything.

Free Word alternatives

One of the most effective word processors on the market, other than Microsoft Word, is WordPad. This program comes preinstalled on Microsoft-powered desktops and has evolved a great deal since it’s release on Windows 95. What started as a very bare-bones text editor, now has most of the features that many people use when in Word. To access this program: Navigate to the Windows’ start button, go to “All Programs.” WordPad may be found in the “Accessories” file.

Word’s online competitors

Even better, though, could be OpenOffice.org Writer. OpenOffice is renowned for providing free versions of many of Microsoft’s higher priced programs, such as Word and Excel. This writing program is especially powerful, giving users the same variety of options that Microsoft Word provides at no charge. Furthermore, OpenOffice.org Writer is far more instinctive to use, and it doesn’t come with a lot of the irritating ticks that come with Microsoft Word.