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Quizzes > Computers & IT

Microsoft Word quiz for beginners: Check your core skills

Quick, free Microsoft Word test. Instant results and helpful tips.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Leo ArroyoUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cut art of Word basics quiz with stylized paper sheets pencil and Word icon on dark blue background

This Microsoft Word basics quiz helps you practice core tasks like formatting, styles, tables, and shortcuts so you can work faster with confidence. Want more practice? Try a word practice test, check your fundamentals with a word processing test, or step up to a Word level 1 quiz.

What keyboard shortcut creates a new blank document in Word?
Ctrl+N
Alt+F4
File > New
Ctrl+O
Pressing Ctrl+N opens a new blank document in Microsoft Word, which is the quickest way to start fresh. The File > New command performs the same task but requires more clicks. Using Ctrl+O opens an existing document rather than creating a new one. Alt+F4 closes the application.
Which keyboard shortcut saves the current document in Word?
F12
Ctrl+S
Ctrl+P
File > Save As
Ctrl+S quickly saves any changes to your current document in Word. Pressing F12 opens the Save As dialog instead, allowing you to choose a new name or location. File > Save As is the menu-based way to perform a Save As rather than a simple save. Ctrl+P opens the print dialog, unrelated to saving.
What shortcut applies bold formatting to selected text?
Ctrl+U
Ctrl+E
Ctrl+I
Ctrl+B
Ctrl+B toggles bold formatting on the selected text in Word. Ctrl+U applies or removes underlining, while Ctrl+I toggles italics. Ctrl+E centers paragraph alignment, not text style.
Which keyboard shortcut toggles italics on selected text?
Ctrl+L
Ctrl+I
Ctrl+T
Ctrl+P
Ctrl+I applies or removes italic formatting on the selected text. Ctrl+T creates a hanging indent. Ctrl+L left-aligns the paragraph, and Ctrl+P opens print options.
Where do you change the font size in Word?
Home tab > Font group
Review tab > Proofing group
Insert tab > Text group
View tab > Zoom group
The font size control is located on the Home tab within the Font group. The Review tab handles proofing and comments, not font attributes. The Insert tab lets you add objects like text boxes but not change font size. The View tab's Zoom group controls document magnification.
Which shortcut inserts a page break at the cursor location?
Ctrl+Shift+P
Ctrl+Shift+L
Alt+Enter
Ctrl+Enter
Pressing Ctrl+Enter inserts a page break at the cursor's current position. Ctrl+Shift+P opens the font size dialog, Alt+Enter moves to a new line in some dialogs, and Ctrl+Shift+L applies a list style.
In which tab do you insert a watermark?
Design tab > Page Background group
Page Layout tab > Themes group
Insert tab > Media group
Review tab > Protect group
Watermarks are inserted from the Design tab under the Page Background group in Word. The Insert tab's Media group handles pictures and video. The Page Layout tab is now renamed Layout and Themes are a separate function. The Review tab deals with comments and protection features.
Which command or shortcut opens the Find and Replace dialog?
Ctrl+H
Ctrl+G
Ctrl+F
Ctrl+R
Ctrl+H opens the Find and Replace dialog where you can search and replace text. Ctrl+F opens the Navigation pane for Find only. Ctrl+R right-aligns text, and Ctrl+G opens the Go To tab inside the same Find/Replace dialog but not Replace by default.
How do you display the Styles pane to apply or modify styles?
Insert tab > Text group
Press Alt+Ctrl+Shift+S
View tab > Macros group
Home tab > Clipboard group
Alt+Ctrl+Shift+S opens the Styles pane where you can apply, modify, or create new styles. The Clipboard group handles cut/copy/paste, not styles. The Insert tab's Text group adds objects like text boxes. The Macros group belongs to the View tab, unrelated to styles.
Where do you adjust line spacing for paragraphs?
Layout tab > Page Setup group
Design tab > Themes group
Review tab > Language group
Home tab > Paragraph group > Line and Paragraph Spacing
The Line and Paragraph Spacing dropdown in the Paragraph group on the Home tab lets you adjust spacing. The Layout tab controls page margins and breaks. The Review tab deals with proofing, and the Design tab handles themes and document styling.
How do you insert or edit a header or footer?
Insert tab > Header & Footer group > Header
View tab > Reading View
Layout tab > Page Color
Review tab > Footnotes
Headers and footers are added from the Insert tab's Header & Footer group. Reading View under View tab is for consuming content, not editing. The Review tab footnotes section is for footnotes and endnotes, not headers. The Layout tab's Page Color changes background shade.
Which method applies a numbered list to selected paragraphs?
Review tab > Track Changes
Insert tab > Shapes
Format tab > Borders
Home tab > Paragraph group > Numbering
Numbered lists are applied via the Numbering button in the Paragraph group on the Home tab. Shapes are drawn objects on the Insert tab, borders are paragraph styling on the Design tab, and Track Changes is a review feature.
What keyboard shortcut inserts a footnote at the cursor?
Alt+Ctrl+Shift+F
Ctrl+Alt+F
Ctrl+F12
Ctrl+Shift+F
Ctrl+Alt+F inserts a footnote in a Word document at the cursor. Ctrl+Shift+F opens the font dialog, Alt+Ctrl+Shift+F applies formatting and no footnote. Ctrl+F12 opens the Open dialog.
How do you convert existing comma-separated text into a table?
Review tab > Compare
Select text > Insert tab > Table > Convert Text to Table
Layout tab > Columns
Home tab > Paragraph group > Convert
The Convert Text to Table command under the Table dropdown on the Insert tab splits text into cells based on separators. There's no Convert option in the Paragraph group. Columns in Layout affect page layout, not tables. Compare under Review compares documents.
Which shortcut shows or hides non-printing formatting marks?
Ctrl+Alt+M
Ctrl+Shift+8
Alt+F9
Ctrl+*
Ctrl+Shift+8 toggles display of non-printing characters like spaces and paragraph marks. Ctrl+* is an alternate key on some keyboards but not standard in Word. Alt+F9 toggles field code display. Ctrl+Alt+M inserts a comment.
What is the keyboard shortcut to insert a hyperlink?
Ctrl+Shift+L
Ctrl+H
Ctrl+L
Ctrl+K
Ctrl+K opens the Insert Hyperlink dialog in Word. Ctrl+H is Find and Replace, Ctrl+Shift+L applies a list style, and Ctrl+L left-aligns paragraphs.
What type of section break allows you to change orientation between sections?
Even Page section break
Column section break
Next Page section break
Continuous section break
A Next Page section break starts a new section on the next page, where you can change orientation independently. Continuous breaks keep changes on the same page. Even Page breaks start on the next even page. Column breaks separate text into columns within the same section.
Which group on the Mailings tab do you use to select recipients for a mail merge?
Select Recipients group
Write & Insert Fields group
Preview Results group
Start Mail Merge group
Select Recipients within the Mailings tab lets you choose or create the data source for mail merge. Start Mail Merge begins the merge process but doesn't choose recipients. Write & Insert Fields adds merge fields to the document. Preview Results shows merged output.
How do you update an existing Table of Contents after edits?
Home tab > Styles gallery
Right-click TOC > Update Field
References tab > Insert Caption
Review tab > Track Changes
Right-clicking the Table of Contents and choosing Update Field refreshes page numbers or the entire table. Insert Caption adds captions to figures. Track Changes logs edits, not update TOC. Styles gallery changes text styles, not tables of contents.
Which feature allows you to record and replay edits made to a document?
Version History
Comments
Compare Documents
Track Changes
Track Changes records insertions, deletions, and formatting changes for review. Comments add notes without altering content history. Version History in OneDrive tracks saved versions, not inline edits. Compare Documents shows differences between two files but doesn't record live edits.
What feature do you use to insert reusable pieces of content like headers or text blocks?
Quick Parts
Themes
SmartArt
Styles
Quick Parts under the Insert tab lets you save and insert reusable content such as headers or text blocks. Themes control overall document colors and fonts. Styles apply formatting to paragraphs and text. SmartArt inserts diagrams, not text building blocks.
Which command inserts a cross-reference to headings or figures?
References tab > Cross-reference
Home tab > Find
Insert tab > Bookmark
Review tab > Compare
The Cross-reference command on the References tab inserts links to headings, figures, or tables. Bookmarks mark locations but don't create references automatically. Compare shows document differences. Find locates text, not generate references.
How do you restrict editing so only comments can be added?
File tab > Options > General
Review tab > Protect > Restrict Editing
Home tab > Editing group > Find
View tab > Read Mode
Restrict Editing under the Review tab lets you allow only comments or tracked changes. The Options menu in File controls general settings, not protection. The Find tool in Home searches text. Read Mode under View displays content but doesn't enforce editing restrictions.
Where are user ribbon customizations saved for Word?
RibbonConfig.reg in the Windows registry
Normal.dotm in the Templates folder
CustomUI.xml in the installation directory
Word.officeUI file in AppData\Microsoft\Office
Ribbon customizations are stored in the Word.officeUI file under the user's AppData\Microsoft\Office folder. Normal.dotm holds default template and macros but not ribbon changes. CustomUI.xml is used in document-level custom UIs for add-ins. There is no RibbonConfig.reg registry key for Office customizations.
How do you bind content controls to XML data in Word?
Review tab > Track Changes > XML
Use the Developer tab's XML Mapping Pane
Insert tab > Field > XMLData
References tab > Manage Sources
The XML Mapping Pane on the Developer tab allows you to bind content controls to custom XML parts. There is no XMLData field under Insert > Field. Track Changes does not manage XML mappings. Manage Sources is part of citations and bibliography, not XML data.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Apply Basic Formatting Techniques -

    Use the microsoft word tools quiz to practice applying fonts, alignments, lists, and styles to enhance document readability and presentation.

  2. Utilize Essential Keyboard Shortcuts -

    Master common Word shortcuts tested in this free microsoft word quiz to improve typing speed and workflow efficiency.

  3. Identify Core Word Tools and Features -

    Recognize and describe the purpose of key features such as spell check, find and replace, and text formatting options.

  4. Navigate the Word Interface Confidently -

    Explore ribbons, menus, and toolbars with ease by applying knowledge from the word basic quiz for beginners.

  5. Test Microsoft Word Skills for Improvement -

    Assess your proficiency with this microsoft word basics quiz to uncover strengths and target areas for further learning.

  6. Create and Manage Documents Effectively -

    Learn to open, save, and organize documents using Word's interface to streamline file management workflows.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mastering Font and Text Formatting -

    Familiarize yourself with font tools like size, color, and style to make your document clear and engaging - an essential skill for the microsoft word basics quiz. Use Ctrl+B for bold, Ctrl+I for italic, and Ctrl+U for underline to format quickly. Remember "BUI" (Bold, Underline, Italic) to recall these shortcuts effortlessly.

  2. Efficient Paragraph Alignment and Spacing -

    Paragraph tools like alignment and line spacing keep your text tidy and readable - use Ctrl+L, Ctrl+E, and Ctrl+R for left, center, and right alignment. Adjust spacing before and after paragraphs via the Layout tab to avoid crowding or gaps in your text. A simple mnemonic is "LAS" (Left, Align, Spacing) to remember where to tweak these settings.

  3. Utilizing Styles for Consistency -

    Styles let you apply a set of formatting choices with one click, ensuring uniform headings and body text throughout your document. Press Alt+Ctrl+1 for Heading 1, Alt+Ctrl+2 for Heading 2, or use the Styles pane on the Home tab to create custom styles. Think "HTC" (Heading, Text, Custom) to recall where you find and edit your styles.

  4. Keyboard Shortcuts to Boost Productivity -

    Learning shortcuts like Ctrl+S to save, Ctrl+Z to undo, and Ctrl+Y to redo can cut down on repetitive menu hunting and make document editing faster. Use the "CUBI" mnemonic - Copy (Ctrl+C), Undo (Ctrl+Z), Bold (Ctrl+B), Italic (Ctrl+I) - to group and memorize these essential keys. Practicing these daily can shave minutes off routine tasks.

  5. Saving and Exporting in Different Formats -

    Understanding file formats like .docx, .pdf, and .rtf ensures your document is accessible on any device or platform. Use File > Save As to choose the format you need; for example, export to PDF for a fixed layout ideal for sharing. Remember "PDF" by thinking "Portable Document Forever" as a fun way to pick the right option.

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