Week 1: Computer BasicsLesson 4: Work with Multiple Applications

Now that you can open and close programs, we will look at how to work in multiple programs at the same time.

• A program is the set of instructions your computer receives in order to carry out its many functions.

• An application is a software program, like Microsoft Office, iWorks, Adobe Photoshop etc., that lets you perform specific tasks like organizing information, creating reports, or printing a picture.

Whenever you open an application such as Microsoft Word or Excel, it appears as a new window on the screen.

• A window is an area on the computer screen where an application can be viewed and accessed.

• Microsoft Windows lets you work with two or more windows at once. The window you are working in is displayed, and other windows are hidden behind it.

• One of the most important parts of the desktop in the taskbar located at the bottom of the screen.

• On the taskbar, you can see what windows you are working in. You can also open any windows that are displayed on the taskbar.

In this activity, you will make a window smaller and larger and move between two applications.

• Step 1: Click the Start button to open the start menu.

• Step 2: Click All Programs, choose Microsoft Office, then click Microsoft

Step 3: Click the minimize button in the upper right corner of the Word window. The Word window is now only visible as a button on the taskbar.

Minimize Button

Step 4: Start Microsoft Excel, by clicking the Start button, choosing All Programs, then Microsoft Office, then Microsoft Excel.

Step 5: To switch to the Word window, click the Word button on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

Step 6: To bring the Excel window to the front, click the Excel button on the taskbar.

Step 7: Click the Restore Down button in the upper right corner of the Excel window.

Step 8: Switch back to the Word window by clicking the Word button on the task bar at the bottom of the screen.

Step 9: Click the Restore Down button on the Word window. You screen should look similar to this:

Step 10: Move the mouse cursor over the bottom corner of the Word screen. You cursor should change to a two-headed arrow.

Step 11: Hold down the left mouse button and drag the window frame inward to make the Word screen smaller and display Excel behind it.

Step 12: Click the Excel document to bring it to the front of the Word window.

Step 13: In the top right corner of the Excel window, click the minimize button. Notice that the Excel window “disappears” but the Excel button is still on the taskbar.

Step 14: Click on the Excel button on the taskbar. The Excel window returns to the screen.

Step 15: In the top right corner of the Excel window, click the red close button and exit Excel. Notice that when Excel is closed, the Excel button is no longer on the taskbar.

Step 16: Click the horizontal scrollbar and drag it to the left and right to see how the Word screen moves.

Step 17: To restore Word to its original size, click the Maximize button.

• Step 18: Click the vertical scrollbar on the right side of the document. Drag it up and down.

Step 19: Click the red close button to exit Word.