Creating a Simple Digital Document

A digital document is any piece of writing you create and store on a computer — a story, a report, a letter, a list. Learning to set one up correctly is one of the most useful tech skills you will ever have!

What is a word processor?

• A word processor is an app designed for typing, editing, and formatting text.
• Examples: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, LibreOffice Writer.
• When you open a new document, you see a blank white page — just like a sheet of paper on screen.

The four parts of a document

• Title — the name of the whole document. It usually appears at the very top, in larger or bolder text. Example: My Favorite Animal.
• Heading — a label for a section inside the document. It is smaller than the title but bigger than the body text. Example: What Does It Eat?
• Body text — the main writing of the document — your sentences and paragraphs that explain or tell the story.
• Author — the name of the person who wrote the document. It is usually placed below the title or at the bottom.

Basic formatting rules

• The title is usually the largest text — font size 18–24 pt, bold, centered.
• Headings are medium-sized — font size 14–16 pt, bold, left-aligned.
• Body text is the smallest — font size 11–12 pt, normal weight, left-aligned.
• Always save your document with Ctrl + S before closing.

Naming and saving your document

• Give your document a clear file name — use the topic and your name: FavoriteAnimal_Alex.docx.
• Save it in the correct folder so you can find it again easily.