How To Print From Free Microsoft Word App

Richard from California writes:

How do I print an envelope in the free version of word that comes with my Hotmail account? I have a wireless printer, Thanks.

Richard, I’ve talked about the free online versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote along with the free cloud storage on OneDrive that’s available to anyone with a Microsoft account. If you have an Outlook.com, Hotmail, MSN or LiveMail address you can just log into Outlook.com with your e-mail and password. If not, it only takes a few minutes to create an account.

There have been a few changes to the look of Outlook.com since I first told you about it.  Let’s take a look. When you first log on to Outlook.com, you’ll find yourself in the e-mail inbox. Click on the little square composed of squares in the upper left corner.

You’ll have options for you e-mail, contacts, calendar and also for OneDrive Storage, WordOnline, Excel Online, PowerPoint Online and OneNote Online and Office Online.

Office Online allows you to collaborate on projects with other Office Online users. If you click on it, you will see options for a paid version, but it’s not necessary to purchase anything.

When you first open the app, you’ll see the let’s get started screen.

If you choose New blank document, you’ll get a document similar to the one below.

You would expect to be able to click Browse templates to find envelopes and address labels. But that’s not the case here. You’ll find templates for letters, brochures, business cards and everything else under the sun, but not envelopes or address labels.

You’ll have to cheat a little to do that.  Create a standard blank document, choose the Page Layout Tab and you’ll see the size option in the upper left.

Choose Custom age size.

Then input the size of the envelope you plan to use.

Then type in the envelope information.

Printing is pretty much the same process as printing from a version of Word installed on your computer. First, select the file tab at the top left.

Then select Print.

Choose Print this document.

You’ll see print options for the default printer for the computer you’re using.

You can also click the drop-down button to select another printer or Send it to OneNote.

For an attempt at envelope printing, you can adjust the orientation of the page, depending on how envelopes feed into your printer and give it a try.

Select the Print button in the bottom right and your document will print. The lack of envelope and label templates is a serious flaw in what is otherwise a great collection off apps.

Before printing you will need to have your wireless printer recognized by the computer you’re using.  If you’re using a computer without a printer connection, you can always save the document to your OneDrive account and then open it on a computer connected to a printer to print later.

~ Cynthia