Create Desktop Wallpapers with Microsoft Word

The Challenge of a Mouse-less Computer

Operating a computer without a mouse can be remarkably difficult. Even for those proficient with a keyboard, navigating and interacting with applications presents significant hurdles. While switching between programs (using Alt + Tab) and accessing menus (Alt + Underlined letter in Windows) are manageable, clicking on web links becomes a frustrating task.

At our workplace, a single public computer serves all employees, with individual machines reserved for management. When our shared mouse disappeared, considerable annoyance arose. Though a colleague generously lent a spare, the situation highlighted the inconvenience. I decided to create a lighthearted desktop wallpaper to ease the tension.

Utilizing Word for Visual Design

My intention was to create something visible to everyone, including management, and to do so quickly, as a supervisor’s visit was imminent. The challenge lay in the limited software available on the computer.

The only graphic application present was MS Paint, which proved inadequate for the project. Considering the time constraint, I almost abandoned the idea. Fortunately, Microsoft Word offered a viable alternative.

I believe limiting Word’s use to solely document creation is a missed opportunity. Its capabilities extend far beyond basic word processing. Word was my initial foray into graphic editing, and I still employ it for small, rapid projects like this wallpaper.

Due to the urgency, I didn’t document the original process. I’ve since recreated the steps at home using MS Word for Mac. While minor visual differences may exist between the Windows and Mac versions, the core procedures remain identical.

Here’s how I proceeded. First, I opened a new, blank document: