Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel
I've newly switched from windows to mac. I'm mystified as to how to create
file folders in Mac Word, within which I can place Word and other documents.
Another way of saying this is I don't understand how the Mac organizes files.
Is there something similar to "My documents" or to the file folders within
Word for Windows?
Yep it is a bit strange at first. What follows is more Mac than Office.
That is, it applies to everything Mac, whether you are in Word or not.
First you have a "home" folder. Everything that belongs to you belongs
in there. You often have other user accounts on the system. Each user
has their own home, and you can't see inside them.
It is strongly recommended, if this is your personal Mac, that you give
yourself two personas. One is your administrator persona, which you use
for doing scary things, like software updates and safely installing new
applications. The other should not have admin privs. You use that one
every day. Then, if you make a silly mistake, the damage you cause to
the system is limited, because you can't scribble over system stuff
from there.
(system preferences È accounts is where you set that up)
OK, so in your day-to-day disguise, by convention, everything like Word
docs you write or collect from others should live in a set of folders
you invent to your own taste inside your "Documents" folder. You can
nest stuff in there as deeply as you please.
Often you create those folders from the Finder rather than from Office.
But, if you want to add a new folder in the middle of saving a Word doc
you can. After hitting "Save As" you should see a button called "New
Folder" in the bottom left of the save dialog sheet. If you don't, biff
the triangle to the right of the suggested file name for the more
expanded version of the save dialog.
You will be rewarded with enough fresh buttons to let you navigate up
and down the directory tree, from where you can biff "New Folder" to
taste. Coming from Windows, you might find clicking on the column view
button just to the left of the current folder name will make you feel
more at home.
Working your way through Apple's help might be useful if frustrating.
(It is horribly slow) There are a number of useful and entertaining
books, such as
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
Robin WIlliams
Peachpit Press
From personal experience: Get good at keyboard shortcuts. Using the
mouse for everything gets tedious pretty quickly.
Unlike Windows, the Mac is very consistent across all applications. A
little proficiency in one goes a very long way in the others. If you
make yourself a Finder ace, you will never be worried by open and save
in any Mac program, including Office, which is daunting enough without
stressing over the save menu. ;-)
