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What does a Word Processor do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

A word processor is a computer program used for the production of any sort of text document.

Word Processor job duties include:

  • Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.
  • Open, read, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.
  • Maintain scheduling and event calendars.
  • Make travel arrangements for staff.
  • Order office supplies and maintain inventory of stock.
  • Greet visitors and direct them to the appropriate persons or offices.
  • Operate office equipment such as fax machines, copiers, and phone systems, and use computers for spreadsheet, word processing, database management, and other applications.
  • Transcribe dictated reports and correspondence.
  • Prepare statistical tables, charts, budgets, schedules, financial reports, manuals, and other documents.

Word Processor Job Requirements

There are no formal education requirements for word processors, although most have at least a high school diploma. Certification is not required, but many word processors choose to become certified through organizations such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals or the National Association of Legal Secretaries. Experience is also not required, but many word processors have several years of experience working in an office environment before becoming a word processor.

Word Processor Skills

  • Open and close documents
  • Create new documents
  • Save documents
  • Save documents as a different file type
  • Print documents
  • Edit documents
  • Cut, copy, and paste text
  • Find and replace text
  • Check spelling and grammar
  • Add or remove headers and footers
  • Insert page numbers
  • Add or remove watermarks

Related: Top Word Processor Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Word Processor

A word processor is a computer program that allows you to create, edit, and save documents. There are many different word processors available, and each has its own set of features. When choosing a word processor, it is important to consider your needs and the features that are most important to you.

If you want to become a word processor, there are a few things you need to do. First, you need to choose the right word processor for your needs. There are many different options available, so take some time to research the different options and find the one that best suits your needs.

Next, you need to learn how to use the features of your chosen word processor. This may take some time and practice, but it will be worth it in the end. Once you know how to use the features of your word processor, you will be able to create documents quickly and easily.

Finally, you need to make sure you save your documents regularly. This will help ensure that you do not lose any important work if something happens to your computer. Saving often will also help you keep track of your work and make it easier to find if you need to reference it later.

Becoming a word processor is a great way to improve your productivity and efficiency when working on computers. By taking the time to choose the right word processor and learn how to use its features, you can make working on computers much easier and more enjoyable.

Related: Word Processor Resume Example

Related: Word Processor Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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