• Microsoft Word is the word-processing component of every version of the Microsoft Office Suite. While the Suite is on the most current (as of October 2010) version of Office 2010, its previous version of 2007 included updates to all of its programs, including Word. Much of the Word workspace were upgraded, and a variety of time-saving and project-inspiring tools were added to the software.
  
  

Templates

• Templates are tools that take the default blank, white Word document and transform it into a newsletter, business card, brochure, banner, greeting card, address label or flier. Templates are a jumping-off point for your own creativity. While a Word template is set up to give you a place to drop in text and images, you're not tied to the layout, colors, fonts or designs within the template. It's up to the user whether to stick entirely with the way Word has set up the template or to tweak and customize it. Templates remain in their original format even after they're changed; when you open a template, change it and save it, it doesn't affect the original, so you can always go back and start from scratch.
  
  

Shapes

• Though many Word documents are composed of words, Word 2007 offers a way to include illustrations for that text or even create entire documents made of images. By taking advantage of Word's "Shape" tools, users may create flow charts, organizational charts and other diagrams. Word's shapes include basics such as circles, squares, rounded rectangles and arrows, plus other options such as bursts, lightning bolts and octagons. Both the shape's border and fill are customizable; make them the same color for a solid shape, or two different colors to stand out. Shapes can be an ideal way to break up a large section of text or draw the reader's eye to a particular area of the document.
  
  

Stock Art

• While the computerized images known as clip art have long been associated with programs such as Word, with Word 2007 they become a more useful tool. With the clip art search function, users can search a particular word or phrase and select actual professional photographs, cartoon-like drawings, video clips and more, or a combination. Microsoft Office Online also offers a searchable database of free downloadable stock art, free to all Word 2007 users. Including images in a document can be difficult if the document creator has the responsibility of taking pictures or illustrating the materials. Word's clip art tool offers a quick way to browse related pictures and media to show why a picture is worth a thousand words.