ICDL Word Processing common mistakes
ICDL Word Processing · Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
Editing the original document while intending to work on a copy, then saving over the source file.
Candidates open the source file directly and use Save instead of Save As, so the original is overwritten and the 'work on a copy' instruction is broken.
What to do instead
Immediately after opening, use File > Save As (or F12) to save a copy under the required name and location before making any edits; check the title bar shows the new filename.
Leaving the document in a non-standard file format or wrong filename when the task specifies one (e.g., saving as .docx when .pdf or .txt was requested).
Candidates click Save and accept the default format, or change the filename but not the 'Save as type' dropdown.
What to do instead
In the Save As dialog, set both the filename and the Save as type explicitly, then reopen or check the file extension to confirm the format is correct.
Using repeated spaces or blank paragraphs to position or space text instead of paragraph spacing, indents, and tabs.
Candidates mimic visual appearance by pressing Space or Enter repeatedly, which breaks when text reflows and fails formatting checks.
What to do instead
Use the Paragraph dialog (spacing before/after, line spacing), first-line/hanging indents, and Tab stops or a table for alignment; remove stray spaces at paragraph ends.
Applying character formatting (bold, font, size) to individual words when the whole paragraph or heading style should be changed, or vice versa.
Candidates select text with the mouse and apply direct formatting rather than selecting the paragraph or applying a style.
What to do instead
Decide whether the requirement is character-level or paragraph-level; for headings, click in the paragraph and apply the named style from the Styles gallery rather than manual bold and size changes.
Inserting a table with the wrong dimensions or failing to apply the requested table style, borders, or header row formatting.
Candidates drag a rough grid from the Insert Table menu and skip the Table Design/Layout tabs where styles, shading, and header repeat are set.
What to do instead
Use Insert > Table and specify exact rows and columns numerically; then use Table Design to apply the required style, enable 'Header Row', and set borders and shading explicitly.
Inserting an image or object at the wrong size or position, or leaving it inline when a specific wrap and alignment were required.
Candidates paste or insert and stop, ignoring the Layout Options and Size dialog where wrap, position, and dimensions are controlled.
What to do instead
After inserting, open the object's Format tab: set exact height/width (unchecking 'Lock aspect ratio' if needed), choose the required text wrapping, and set horizontal/vertical alignment or anchor.
Building a mail merge from the wrong starting point, so the main document, data source, or merge fields are not linked as required.
Candidates start typing a letter and manually insert fields, or select the wrong data file, so the merge produces blanks or duplicated text.
What to do instead
Use Mailings > Start Mail Merge to choose the document type, then Select Recipients to attach the specified data source, insert fields via Insert Merge Field, and use Preview Results to verify before finishing.
Producing the merged output in the wrong destination (e.g., printing directly or merging to a new document when individual files or a specific record range were requested).
Candidates click Finish & Merge > Print or accept defaults without setting the record range or output target.
What to do instead
In Finish & Merge, choose the correct option (Edit Individual Documents, Print Documents, or Send Email), set All/Current/From-To records explicitly, and save the merged result with the required name.
Failing to set or update page setup elements such as margins, orientation, paper size, or page numbering/headers and footers.
Candidates assume defaults match the instruction, or set numbering in the body text rather than in the header/footer field.
What to do instead
Open Layout > Page Setup and set margins, orientation, and size numerically; insert page numbers via Insert > Page Number in the header/footer, and check different first page/odd-even options if specified.
Not using find/replace or spell-check tools to correct specified text, leaving errors or inconsistent terms in the document.
Candidates manually scan and edit, missing occurrences, or run spell-check but ignore grammar/consistency requirements given in the task.
What to do instead
Use Ctrl+H (Replace All) for required term changes and review each replacement; run Review > Spelling & Grammar and the Thesaurus where wording must match a specified form.