How to make a newsletter using Microsoft Word 2000 (for PC or Mac)

First, make a project folder on your computer, or in your storage space on the network.  The folder should include:

•   Your newsletter (blank at first)
•   A file or files containing the text you will use (this is optional; you can type right into the newsletter)
•   An images folder.  You can use pictures you've taken yourself, or find many using www.google.com.
•   A newsletter sample (for reference)

  Microsoft has three samples, each in a different style.  They show a style ("Elegant", "Professional", and "Contemporary"), and their text consists of explanations of the elements of newsletters, which are primarily "Styles" and "Text Boxes".  You can save any of these samples into your project folder by starting Word and using the Newsletter Wizard, or by simply opening them from this web page and saving them to your project folder.

  Elegant Newsletter
  Contemporary Newsletter
  Professional Newsletter

Next, learn how to work with the elements of simple newsletters. 

•    Text boxes (independent and linked)
•    Text styles (pre chosen to give your newsletter a consistent look)
•    Graphics (paste them into their own text boxes)

You might practice by making the simplest possible newsletter: one story, and one picture.

Finally, lay out your newsletter.

• Choose a template, save it, and delete the existing text boxes
• Place text boxes where you need them for your stories and photos
• Insert your stories and photos
• Adust the style of the text

It will probably work best to choose either Imac or PC for all of your work on the project, but you can move your newsletter from one to the other.  The easiest way to do this is by attaching your newsletter to an e-mail message which you send to yourself.  The only trick is opening the attached file.  Here's how to do it (courtesy of Jeff Duchrow):

To open a Word 2000 document from a PC on a Mac:

These files will open in Word 98 and Word 2001 without any special treatment.

How to prepare a Word 98 (Mac) document to open on a PC:

  When you save the document be sure to type “.doc” at the end of the filename.

Word 2000 for the PC will recognize the “.doc” file extension and try to open the document in Word by default. If you do not append the “.doc” extension to the filename, the PC user may have a hard time opening your file.

To Prepare a Word 2001 (Mac) document that will open on a PC.

When saving the file, check the box labeled “Append file extension”. This will automatically write “.doc” at the end of the filename.