How to Create Invitations in Microsoft Word

You may want to send formal invitations to your family and friends if you're planning a gathering, a small celebration at home, or a birthday party. These types of invitations can be easily created in Word. Microsoft Word offers customizable invitation templates with various layout options, and once you've selected a design, you can simply print it. This method not only saves costs but also adds a personal touch to your invitations.

Open a new Word document. Double-click the MS Word shortcut icon on your desktop or in the Programs menu to launch the application. A new, blank Word document will open, ready for you to start working on.

Open the template options. Click on 'File' at the top of the toolbar, then select 'New.' A new window will appear, showing a list of template categories on the left and a preview of available templates on the right.

Select 'Invitations' from the category list. The list is organized alphabetically, so scroll down to the 'I' section to find it. A thumbnail of the invitation template will be displayed in the right-hand pane.

Choose the invitation template that fits the occasion from the right-hand pane. Double-click on the selected template to open it in a new Word document.

Customize the template. Depending on the template you chose, text and graphic elements will appear in designated text/image boxes. Edit the text by clicking on the areas you want to change. Be sure to include all relevant event details (such as the party name, date, time, location, and any other necessary information) in the invitation.

• Most templates come with built-in graphics and artwork. You can drag images to any part of the template to adjust them as desired, or replace them with other images/artwork using Word’s 'Insert Picture' feature.

Save the invitation. Once you’ve finished designing your invitation, save it by clicking 'File' → 'Save As' → 'Word 97-2003 Document.' Choose a folder to store the invitation file in the 'Save As' pop-up window. After entering a file name, click 'Save.'

• The invitation file saved as a Word 97-2003 Document will be compatible with any version of MS Word. You can now print the invitation at home or save the file to a USB and take it to a professional printing shop.

Open a new Word document. Double-click the MS Word shortcut icon on your desktop or in the Programs menu to launch the application. A new, empty Word document will open, ready for you to start creating your invitation.

Insert graphics or artwork. When creating an invitation in a blank document, you have the freedom to be creative without being restricted by pre-existing graphics or artwork in templates. To insert an image, click on the 'Insert' tab in the toolbar at the top and choose either 'Insert Clip Art' or 'Insert Picture' from the options.

• If you already have an image or graphic on your computer, use the 'Insert Picture' option. A file browser will open so you can find the image you want to insert. The 'Insert Clip Art' option allows you to choose from images available in MS Word. Double-click on the image you want to insert.
• Once inserted, you can drag the image or graphic to any part of the invitation, or resize it by dragging its edges to the desired size.

Add text. There are two ways to add text: using the 'Text Box' feature or typing directly into the document. The Text Box feature confines the text to a box, while typing directly allows you to use any part of the blank document.

• To create a text box, click the 'Insert' tab at the top and select 'Text Box.' This option is located between 'Page number' and 'Quick Parts.' Choose a style from the drop-down menu and enter the information you want into the box that appears in your document.
• Whether using a text box or typing directly, you can adjust the font, size, and apply bold, italics, and underline. You can also change the text color using the options at the top under the 'Home' tab.
• Don't forget to include all event details (such as the party name, date, time, location, and any other necessary information) in your invitation.

Save the invitation. Once your design is complete, go to File → Save As → Word 97-2003 Document. Choose a folder to save the invitation file in the 'Save As' pop-up window. After entering a file name, click 'Save.'

• The invitation file saved as a Word 97-2003 Document will be compatible with any version of MS Word. Now, you can print the invitation at home or save the file to a USB and take it to a professional printing shop.