Spanish word processing

(Last updated: 10-24-2002. http://mcla.mtsu.edu/help/spanish) 

1. General information

This document is intended for anyone who uses either Microsoft Office 2000 or Office XP for Spanish word processing.

All computers in the foreign language lab (BDA 303A) have Microsoft Office XP with Spanish spelling and grammar checkers installed.

2. Working with new document

Spanish word processing usually takes four steps. Please follow the steps in the order given below.

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Word;

Step 2: Set the language

From the Tools menu, choose Language and then Set language. When the Language properties window pops up, pick your Spanish flavor (e.g., Spain-Modern sort). Click on OK to close the window.

Step 3: Enter special Spanish letters and/or symbols

Use the following shortcut keys for special Spanish characters:

Press the two keys Ctrl+' at the same time, release the two keys and then enter the vowel key.
Press the three keys Ctrl+Shift+~ at the same time, release the three keys and then enter the lowercase n.
Press the three keys Ctrl+Shift+~ at the same time, release the three keys and then enter the uppercase N (Shift+n).
Hold down the three keys Ctrl+Alt+Shift at the same time and hit the question mark (?) (while you are still holding down the three keys).
Hold down the three keys Ctrl+Alt+Shift at the same time and hit the exclamation mark (!) (while you are still holding down the three keys).

If the above shortcut keys do not work (for whatever unknown reason), you can enter the special characters from the Insert menu. Choose Symbol under the Insert menu. Locate the symbol you want to enter and then click on Insert. 

Step 4: Check spelling and grammar

  1. (Optional) From the Tools menu, choose Language and then Set language. When the Language properties window pops up, pick your Spanish flavor (e.g., Spain-Modern sort). Click OK to close the window;
  2. Again from the Tools menu, choose Spelling and grammar. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete spelling and grammar check;
  3. Save your file after changes are made.  

3. Working with old document 

If you edit an old document whose language was not set (c.f. Step 2 in Section 2 above) when you first created it, follow these steps to check spelling and grammar:

  1. From the Edit menu, choose Select all;
  2. From the Tools menu, choose Language and then Set language. When the Language properties window pops up, pick your Spanish flavor (e.g., Spain-Modern sort). Click OK to close the window;
  3. Again from the Tools menu, choose Spelling and grammar. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete spelling and grammar check;
  4. Save your file after changes are made.