Many people use Microsoft Word because it has been the standard tool for writing, editing, and publishing documents for over 20 years.

There are lots of reasons why people choose to use Microsoft Word instead of another word processing program. Maybe they don’t want to spend time learning a new tool, or maybe they just prefer the familiar feel of Microsoft Word as it has been a popular application in the MS Office online suite of applications.

Whatever the reason, there are plenty of good options available to replace Microsoft Word when you need to write documents. Sometimes, you just need something else. There are many other options available that can help you create your unique style.

If you're looking for an alternative to Microsoft Word, then this article will show you the top five of the best free online options available right now. They also work great as a backup solution for MS Office.

What is Microsoft Word?

Developed by Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Word is a word processor application that's available for both Windows and Mac computers.

With Microsoft Word, you can create professional-looking documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, charts, and other types of files. It includes features like spell-checking, text formatting, tables, graphics, and drawing tools. Users can save their work in different formats, including .pdf, .docx, and others.

Microsoft Word has become the standard for creating docs. With over 100 million downloads, MS Word is a still popular choice among businesses and individuals alike.

Microsoft Word is part of the Microsoft Office suite, which includes processing applications, such as Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, Visio, Project, and more.

What is Microsoft Word Good for?

Microsoft Word works well with most software and hardware. The main benefits of using Microsoft Word include:

Easy to learn and use.Quickly edit and format a document on any device, whether it's a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or desktop computer.Easily share your documents with others using email, social media, and cloud storage activities.Save your work in various file formats.Powerful search capabilities.Compatible with almost any device and all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.Supports multiple languages.Many tutorials and support resources online.Easily update to the latest version from the Microsoft website and from within the application.

Main Features and Functions of Microsoft Word

Being a powerful word processing application, there are many features Microsoft Word offers.

Text editing and formatting tools

As a free text editor, the primary purpose of Microsoft Word allows users to type out words and sentences. You can add bold, italicize, underline, change font size, color, along with other standard text formatting options. It allows you to insert images, clip art, and hyperlinks. You can easily copy and paste content from web pages, emails, and other sources.

Spell checker

A spell checker ensures your document doesn't contain spelling errors. This feature allows you to quickly correct misspelled words and automatically suggest alternatives. This is an essential feature for any writer.

Tables

Creating tables in Microsoft Word is easy. You can drag and drop rows and columns to organize your information. You can also add borders, shading, and background colors.

Drawing tools

You can draw shapes, lines, arrows, and circles in Microsoft Word. You can also add text boxes, frames, and pictures.

Grammar checking

This feature checks your grammar and helps you avoid common mistakes. For example, if you're trying to say "Im going to" but accidentally say "I'm going to," this feature will help you fix the mistake.

Document organization

Microsoft Word makes organizing your documents simple. You can group sections together by dragging them onto each other. You can also rearrange sections and move them up and down.

File formats

Microsoft Word supports many file formats. You can save your documents in .doc, .docx, .odt, .rtf, .txt, .pdf, and more.

Search capabilities

You can find specific words or phrases in your document using the built-in search function. You can also use advanced search functions to find specific items based on criteria such as date, location, author, and more.

Cloud storage

You can store your documents in the cloud so that you can access them from anywhere. You can also sync your documents across devices using an internet connection, which means you have access online to all your work.

Multiple languages

Microsoft Word supports multiple languages. You can type in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese, to name a few.

Source: https://nimbusweb.me/blog/best-microsoft-word-alternatives/