Microsoft Word is an ideal electronic canvas for typing letters, reports and notes, but Word also offers the capability to create hard-copy, tangible canvases for when the urge to put pen to paper strikes. Use Microsoft Word to make notepads, ready to keep by the phone, bring to school or give as holiday gifts. With a few quick setup customization options, Word goes from on-screen note pages to notepads ready for use.
Step 1
Open Microsoft Word. Click the "Page Layout" tab at the top of the workspace. Click the "Orientation" button below the tab, and click "Landscape."
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Step 2
Click the "Insert" tab. Click the "Text Box" button on the ribbon. Select "Simple Text Box." When the text box appears on the Word page, resize it so it fits the left half of the Word page.
Step 3
Click into the text box and type the text for the notepad, such as "Mom's Notes." Highlight the text, and click the "Home" tab. Use the font, text color and size options in the "Font" section of the ribbon to change the text's appearance.
Step 4
Add an image to the notepad by clicking the "Insert" tab. Click the "Clip Art" button below the tab. Type a search term into the "Search for" box, click "Go," scroll through the results and double-click a picture. Drag it into place in the text box, such as the bottom right corner.
Step 5
Add lines to guide writing on the notepad by clicking the "Shapes" button on the "Insert" tab. Click the first line option. Position the cursor on the left side of the text box. Press the "Shift" key and draw a line to the right side of the text box. Release the "Shift" key. Repeat to add lines from the top to the bottom of the text box, avoiding the text header and any pictures.
Step 6
Highlight the entire text box, including the parts inside. Press the "Ctrl" and "C" keys on the keyboard to copy it. Press the "Ctrl" and "V" keys to paste the copy, then drag the copy onto the right side of the page.
Step 7
Give the notepad a colored background by clicking the "Page Layout" tab. Click the "Page Color" button. Click a small colored box for the notepad background color.
Step 8
Click the "File" menu. Click the "Print" option. Select the number of pages you want to print from the "Copies" box; remember, each page prints two notepad pages. Click "Print," cut down the middle of the pages and staple, hole punch or bind them together to form the notepad.
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