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A Comprehensive Guide to Flexbox Ordering & Reordering
How to Quit (The Right Way) When You Hate Your Job (So Much)
20 Best Free Microsoft Word Business Document Templates (Download 2021)
Working With Type on a Path in Illustrator

A Comprehensive Guide to Flexbox Ordering & Reordering

Posted: 05 Jun 2021 10:27 AM PDT

The flexbox layout module allows us to lay out flex items in any order and direction. Flexbox ordering is, in fact, easier than ordering with floats or CSS grid, even if you might not think so at first. As flexbox is a one-dimensional layout model, as opposed to CSS grid which is two-dimensional, you only have to pay attention to one direction. The rules are also clearly defined by W3C, so you don't have to deal with the usual mess of floats and clearfixes.

By following this guide, you'll learn how to use the following flexbox properties for ordering purposes:

flex-direction
flex-wrap
flex-flow
order

Watch the Video: CSS Flexbox Ordering

Ordering Vs. Reordering

When talking about flexbox ordering, we need to make clear the difference between ordering and reordering.

What is Ordering?

When we set up a flexbox layout we first need to define the source order, meaning we have to decide how the axes of the flex container are positioned. I wrote in detail about how flexbox axes work in my guide about flexbox alignment.

In brief, each flex container has two axes: the main axis and the cross axis. The main axis will have one of four directions, and the cross axis will always be perpendicular to that:

left to right
right to left
top to bottom
bottom to top

The cross axis is always perpendicular to the main axis.

We set up the main axis with the flex-direction property, then we decide how flex items will wrap, using the flex-wrap property. These two properties determine how the browser will lay out the items within the flex container.

So What is Reordering?

Flexbox also lets us manipulate the default source order, effectively reordering, with the help of the order property. Reordering means that we change the visual rendering of the items, while the source order remains intact.

If we use the reordering capabilities of flexbox, we don't have to change the HTML document structure just for the sake of visual presentation. So, screen reader users (and search engines) can get the content in a logically structured way (e.g. the sidebar won't take precedence over the main content).

Flexbox Ordering

Flexbox ordering happens with the flex-direction and flex-wrap properties. Flex-direction specifies the direction of the main axis. It can take the following values:

row (default) main axis: left to right
row-reverse main axis: right to left
column main axis: top to bottom
column-reverse main axis: bottom to top

Flex-wrap defines if flex items are laid out in a single line or wrap to multiple lines. It also controls the direction of the cross axis. It can have three values:

nowrap (default) lays out flex items in a single line; the cross axis stands in the default position
wrap lays out flex items in multiple lines; the cross axis stands in the default position
wrap-reverse lays out flex items in multiple lines; the cross axis is reversed

The default position of the cross axis is:

top to bottom in case of row and row-reverse
left to right in case of column and column-reverse

In my previous article about flexbox alignment, you can find four detailed examples (with demos) about how to set up the main axis in four different directions using flex-direction. However, when discussing flexbox ordering, I think it's more important to know how to use the flex-direction and flex-wrap properties together to achieve the source order we are looking for.

A Quick Code Example

We'll use a simple code example to see how flexbox ordering works. The HTML here consists of just a few divs:

<div class="container">        <div class="item item-1">1</div>        <div class="item item-2">2</div>        <div class="item item-3">3</div>        <div class="item item-4">4</div>        <div class="item item-5">5</div>        <div class="item item-6">6</div>        <div class="item item-7">7</div>        <div class="item item-8">8</div>        <div class="item item-9">9</div>  </div>

The .container div will be the flex container and the divs with the .item class will be the flex items. We'll use (almost) the same CSS in all examples, just the flex-direction and flex-wrap properties will change. Here's how our CSS looks with the row and wrap values:

html {    background: #fff7f6;  }  .container {    display: flex;    flex-direction: row;    flex-wrap: wrap;  }  .item {    font-size: 2rem;    line-height: 1;    text-align: center;    padding: 3rem;    background: mistyrose;    border: 3px solid tomato;    color: tomato;    margin: 6px;  }

Here's the same example in a CodePen demo:

Ordering With `Row` and `Column`

Now, we've reached the really interesting part! It's not too difficult to understand flexbox ordering in theory, but using it in practice can certainly be a challenge. This happens because it's difficult to see how different variations of flex-direction and flex-wrap compare to each other.

In the embedded pen below, you can see how the flex-direction: row and flex-direction: column layouts work together with different values of the flex-wrap property. Use the form controls to see different combinations.

As you can see, when flex-direction is row, flex items are laid out horizontally, from left to right. When we use wrap-reverse instead of wrap, flexbox starts laying out the items from the bottom, instead of from the top. This happens because wrap-reverse reverses the direction of the cross axis.

When flex-direction is column, items are laid out vertically, from top to bottom. And, when we use wrap-reverse instead of wrap, flexbox starts laying out the items from the right (now this is the starting point of the cross axis), instead of from the left.

Ordering With `row-reverse` and `column-reverse`

Now, let's have a look at how flexbox lays out items when flex-direction is row-reverse and column-reverse.

As you can see in the demo above, flexbox starts laying out the items from the start of the main axis in both cases, just like before. The main axis of the row-reverse layout runs from right to left, so flexbox starts laying out the items from the right. And, the main axis of the column-reverse layout runs from bottom to top, so items start to flow from the bottom of the flex container.

When we use flex-wrap: wrap, flexbox starts to wrap the items from the top when flex-direction is row-reverse and from the left when it's column-reverse, as these are the starting points of the cross axis in the respective cases.

When we flip the wrapping direction to flex-wrap: wrap-reverse, the cross axis will run in the opposite direction. It will point from bottom to top when flex-direction is row-reverse, and from right to left when it's column-reverse.

Speed Things Up With the `flex-flow` Shorthand

CSS also has a cool shorthand for the flex-direction and flex-wrap properties. It's called flex-flow. To use it, we need to list the two properties after each other in the following way:

.container-1 {      flex-flow: row wrap;  }  .container-2 {      flex-flow: column-reverse wrap-reverse;  }

Flexbox Reordering

It's time to look at things a little differently.

The order property changes the default ordering of flex items that we define with flex-direction and flex-flow. It only affects the visual rendering of the items, so it doesn't affect the way how screen readers and other non-CSS user agents read the source code.

As opposed to the properties mentioned before, we use order on the flex items, instead of the flex container. It can take any integer value, and its default value is 0.

The following example moves .item-3 to the starting point of the main axis. As all items have 0 as default value, it's enough to use the order: -1 rule to make it the first item within the container:

.item-3 {      order: -1;     }

You'll notice that we can use the same logic to move .item-3 to the end of the main axis. We only need to define a positive order value for it.

Of course, we can reorder as many of these flex items as we wish (though keep in mind that reordering everything probably isn't the most accessibility-friendly decision ever). The order properties of the different flex items are always relative to each other. Below, you can see how to reorder multiple items within the flex container.

.item-3 {    order: -1;  }  .item-4 {    order: -2;  }  .item-5 {    order: 2;  }  .item-7 {    order: 1;  }

Ordering and Accessibility

The most important thing to understand about all this is that the order property doesn't affect the painting, speech, and sequential navigation orders. This means that when we modify the order of our flex items, users of non-visual media won't experience the changes. For example, people relying on keyboard navigation will still move through the links in the original source order.

This flexbox behavior can come in handy in some cases. For instance, it's possible to make the so-called "Holy Grail Layout" accessible with the help of flexbox ordering. The Holy Grail Layout is the popular blog layout with a header, a footer, and two sidebars: one on the left and one on the right of the main content.

In this layout, we usually put the left sidebar before the main content in the HTML code. However, from the point of view of accessibility, users of assistive technologies should encounter the main content first. Flexbox is perfect for this. We can place the main content before the two sidebars in our markup. Then, we only need to put the sidebar and the main content into the correct position using the order property:

.sidebar-left {     order: 1;  }  article {    order: 2;  }  .sidebar-right {    order: 3;  }

Flexbox & Writing Modes

Everything said in this tutorial applies to the LTR (left to right) writing mode. Flexbox axes actually follow the document's writing direction, which can be set up with the direction and writing-mode properties. This is why in LTR writing mode, the main axis runs from left to right when flex-direction is row. In RTL writing mode it runs in the opposite direction, from right to left, and everything else changes accordingly.

That's a (Flex) Wrap!

This tutorial was the second part of my flexbox series. Make sure you read the first part about flexbox alignment, to learn how to align flex items along the main and cross axes. If you want to know more about flexbox ordering, MDN has a very informative article on the subject as well.

Learn More

How to Quit (The Right Way) When You Hate Your Job (So Much)

Posted: 05 Jun 2021 06:55 AM PDT

It was 8:30 AM. I'd only been in the office for 15 minutes, but I was already dreading the work ahead of me. Another day to grind through of answering 80 to 100 calls about life insurance.

How to quit your job you hate properly — Ready to quit that job you hate? Let's be sure to do it the right way. (photo source)

Frequent day dreams about the weekend and partying with my colleagues kept me sane. But no matter how fun the previous weekend was, I always felt drained and unenthusiastic to go back to work on Monday.

Maybe you don't have experience in customer service, but perhaps you can relate to the stress I felt at work. There are a lot of jobs that can feel demoralizing or draining.

How to Properly Quit a Job and Avoid Reckless Decisions

Like me, I think you've previously felt tempted to tell your boss that you're quitting. Maybe you even considered just not showing up the next day.

There's nothing wrong with feeling apathetic and unengaged at work, as long as you don't let these feelings affect your career and finances. After all, what will resigning accomplish, if you're so desperate for cash that you end up in a worse job?

If you hate your job right now, this article is for you. I'll show you how to properly quit your job—without burning bridges and racking up loads of credit card debt.

1. Mulling it Over

Don't Quit Your Job Without Trying to Make it Work

Wondering what to do when you want to quit your job? You have to think things over first.

Like a relationship, you shouldn't quit a job before doing your best to make it work.

A little introspection goes a long way here. Ask yourself:

Can transferring to a different team or department make you happier?
Would you be more comfortable with a different schedule?
Do you think your salary isn't commensurate to your workload or contributions to the company?
Do you have any grievances with your boss or coworkers?

Once you find out what makes you unhappy, schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss the issues. Try not to be accusatory when you bring these up, even if the problem lies with your boss. And if you can, come up with two possible solutions so your boss won't feel that you're just complaining.

Your manager's willingness to make things work is a good indication that you're a valued employee, and there's hope for your situation within the company.

Pro Tip: Don't tell your boss about your plans to resign. Doing this is like hanging the resignation over their head, and will likely result in burned bridges and an unexpected termination.

Write a Pros and Cons List of Your Job

But what if the root of the problem is something beyond you or your boss's control?

Now is the time to consider other employment options.

The first thing to do when you hate your job, and there's no way to fix it, is find out exactly what you dislike about it. Be specific because every bit of info serves as a clue to finding a career you'll love—or at least won't hate as much.

Create a pros and cons list detailing every aspect of your work, such as:

Schedule
Management support
Your boss's leadership style: micro manager or hands-off leadership style
Salary
Career advancement and learning opportunities
Employee benefits: 401K, healthcare, daycare, gym, etc.
People that annoy you or make your work harder
Tasks you love
Tasks you find boring
Tasks you're underpaid for or beyond your job description
Company red tape you don't like
Comments about your coworkers

Nothing is too petty to be included in this list, because this depends on your individual situation at work. One person may find admin tasks a welcome break from excess brain draining work, while another employee might not have enough analytical work and complain of the 'too easy' and repetitive tasks on their plate.

Let the items on your pro list serve as a guidepost in finding an ideal job that fits you best, while you avoid jobs with items on the negative list.

Know Your Losses and Plan for It

Your budget and savings will take a hit the moment you resign.

How soon you can get a new job depends on your industry, market demand for your skills, and desired salary. Keep in mind:

Money Constraints

If you have no savings and are forced to use your credit card, you'll soon feel anxious and start missing the paycheck that came with your previous job. On the other hand, having a sizable savings account buys you time to look for a job you'll like, without worrying about your rent, groceries, and gas money.

In both cases, having a monthly budget will show you how long your money will last. Worried your funds won't last until you find another job? Limit unnecessary expenses, such as eating out and shopping, or find a part time job or side gig.

Healthcare and 401k

Ask your employer's HR how long your healthcare and dental coverage will work after your effective resignation date. You may be eligible to get a continued healthcare coverage through Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), but if that's too expensive you can get private or individual coverage.

Inquire about your 401K or company retirement plans as well. You may have the option to cash in part of it, if you think your funds won't last until you get another job.

2. Preparing to Jump Ship

Don't Slack Off

Working hard when you hate your job is hard. It's even harder if you have to do that while searching for your next employer, but just bear with it. Don't take unnecessary absences and don't slack off on your current projects. You might get reprimanded or fired before you're ready to go.

It's better to handle this situation professionally. Even if you can get away with sloppy work and tardiness, you'll regret it once a potential employer conducts a background search on you.

Send job applications and schedule interviews after office hours. Tell the recruiters you'll need to work with them to keep things under wraps. They will understand. If you have no choice, use available leave credits for interviews when your schedule isn't compatible with interviewer's availability.

It's also good to pace yourself. Don't schedule too many interviews in the same week, or when you're rushing to deliver a project on time at your current job.

Vent Your Frustrations in a Trusted Crowd

Want to know how to cope with hating your job? Share your problems to people close to you. Be selective though.

Don't tell your cubicle buddies about your grievances with your job and boss. They may be trustworthy, but you never know who else is listening in on your conversation.

It's also unwise to rant on social media networks. Twitter posts are searchable online and almost anyone can view your Twitter feed. You can edit your post's publicity settings on Facebook. But this can't guarantee mutual friends you have with your boss and coworkers won't see your rants, and tell on you.

This doesn't mean you can't vent, just choose your audience carefully. Share your feelings with non-office friends over a cup of coffee, or talk to coworkers who already left the company because of the same problems you're having. While complaining won't fix anything, it's a good outlet for pent up frustrations. You'll feel better afterwards.

Update Your LinkedIn

Update your LinkedIn account, while you're still employed and the details of your accomplishments, skills, and current projects are fresh in your memory. Being active on LinkedIn is a sign of a tech savvy employee, so not everyone will assume you're job hunting if they see your profile updates.

If you want to avoid questioning, LinkedIn has a feature that allows you to update your profile without alerting your network afterwards. Only people who actually visited your profile before and after the update will know that you made changes.

Once your profile is complete, join groups related to your current and future job and start connecting with recruiters working in your industry.

Pro Tip: Write recommendations for your coworkers, clients, subordinates, and anyone else you've worked with as a result of your job. People love getting good recommendations, and they're more likely to give you one in return even if you don't ask for it. This is one way to boost your profile without revealing your intention to resign.

Save Everything You'll Need for the Job Search

Send non-proprietary information about work to your personal email. This includes documents that can be included in your portfolio, certificates of training sessions, awards won, and information about previous projects that can be included in your resume. The same goes for business cards, email addresses, personal email and contact information of coworkers and your boss, in case you need information about a project you worked on.

Some companies are stringent about allowing resigned employees back in the office, so collect everything you'll need, along with your personal effects on your last day. Consider everything you leave behind inaccessible the moment you leave the office.

Prepare Your Resume and Cover Letter

Use the information you gathered in the previous step to update your resume. If yours is already two pages, remove old employment details and unnecessary skills (i.e. MS Word) to make room for your latest career achievements.

Not sure what else to remove on your resume? Check out my guide on How to Make Your Resume the Perfect Length.

Careers

How to Make Your Resume the Perfect Length (+To the Point)

Charley Mendoza

A quick update won't be enough if you're aiming for a bigger salary, a promotion, or a career transition. That calls for better care in writing your resume. Why?

For a recruiter or HR manager to give you what you want, you must first prove that you're worth it, and the first step to accomplish that is to write a resume that depicts you as a high-value and in demand candidate.

These resume guides will help you:

Also, use a professional resume design. Browse through our best resume templates to find a great design:

Resumes

39+ Professional MS Word Resume Templates (Simple CV Design Formats 2021)

Marc Schenker

Start Your Job Search

Start your job search discreetly, and don't broadcast that you're looking for a job on LinkedIn. Instead, check general and niche job boards, and send private messages to recruiters you've worked with in the past via LinkedIn. You can also reach out to your alma mater's career office to see what kind of opportunities they have available.

To avoid burnout and keep you on track, follow the 30-day job search plan described here:

Careers

How to Find a Great Job and Get Hired (In the Next 30 Days)

Charley Mendoza

Aim for quality, not quantity in your job applications. You'll have a better chance of getting an interview with a tailored resume and personalized cover letter.

Careers

How to Write a Cover Letter - The Ultimate Guide

Charley Mendoza

Interview Like a Pro

Off the cuff answers feel more natural but free styling makes you prone to mistakes, embarrassing moments, or worse—awkward silence.

You don't want the recruiter to think you're not comfortable explaining your work, right? Because that's the impression you create when you ramble and forget what to say.

Avoid all this with research and practice. Look up typical interview questions for your target job then write your answers to them.

You don't have to recite the answers on the actual interview. Just read them a few times one day before and an hour before the interview, so you can easily recall vital points in case you get stuck.

An interview is a two way street, so interviewers expect good applicants to have a few questions of their own. Below is a guide on asking insightful questions during and after the interview:

Job Search

What Questions Should You Ask in a Job Interview?

Charley Mendoza

3. After Securing a New Job

Keep it Professional

Whatever your reasons for resigning, keep it professional. Don't humiliate your boss, or make it embarrassing for your coworkers. Going out in a blaze of glory isn't the best way to quit a job, no matter how badass it feels.

How to Properly Quit a Job in 4 Steps:

Write a professional resignation letter thanking your boss for everything you've learned while working together. Keep complaints and grievances to yourself.
Hand over your resignation to your boss or to their assistant. You can also send it via email, but giving it in person is best.
Your boss will likely talk to you after reading the letter. Depending on your skills and the difficulty to fill your position, you will either be asked to reconsider your decision or be permitted to move on after rendering the notice required in your contract.
Ask for a recommendation letter.

Whatever you do, don't tell your boss about your new job. While I assume most supervisors want the best for their employees, this isn't always the case. So leave nothing to chance.

Some companies conduct exit interviews to uncover trends in employee attrition. This is normally conducted by HR or a third-party company, so you can divulge your reasons for leaving. But don't be too critical, as parts of this interview might be shared to your boss as part of the company's improvement efforts.

Give the Required Two Weeks (Or More) Notice

Render the required notice time indicated in your job contract. It's normally two weeks, but I've heard of companies that require up to one month of notice.

Use this time to help your supervisor find and train your replacement. Wrap up pending projects and if possible, create a manual or hand off document to make the life of your replacement easier.

Pro Tip: Don't feel pressured to stay if your supervisor asks you to work longer than the required time. You are not obliged to stay after you've rendered the required notice, and you shouldn't jeopardize your next job to help your former boss.

Resist the Counter Offer

I've seen this multiple times: an employee resigns but is dissuaded from leaving because of a counter offer.

It never ends well.

Why?

Management will think of you as flight risk who's not loyal to the company. They will also doubt your career goals, because an increased salary was enough to lure you back. On top of all that, management has higher expectations because you're now paid more than your peers. Unless your performance breaks your previous record, management will think the added salary they offered you isn't giving the returns they expect.

Editorial Note: This content was originally published in 2017. We're sharing it again because our editors have determined that this information is still accurate and relevant.

20 Best Free Microsoft Word Business Document Templates (Download 2021)

Posted: 05 Jun 2021 05:55 AM PDT

Are you looking for business document templates for Word? Maybe you don't have time to create a professional-looking template.

Envato Elements Template — This professionally designed premium business proposal can be found on Envato Elements.

Word templates save you the time it would take to create a business presentation yourself from scratch. Make a business flyer, resume, or brochure easily and quickly with a pre-built template in 2021.

Envato Elements has hundreds of business templates for Word available for a low cost. If you don't see what you want on Envato Elements, try GraphicRiver. They've got tons of business templates for Word.

The Best Source for Microsoft Word Templates (With Unlimited Use)

Envato Elements is the perfect place to find premium professional Microsoft Word report templates. For a low monthly fee, you'll have access to unlimited downloads of Microsoft Word templates. Get business, themes, photos, videos, fonts, and other resources to use in your business projects.

Elements is a great resource for businesspeople who don't have the time to create professional-looking business documents in 2021.

You may be thinking: why don't I just download a free template? Here are some drawbacks to free Microsoft Word report templates compared to professionally designed premium templates:

The designs don't look as professional.
They don't have as many features.
There aren't as many include options.

Envato Elements has features built into their templates that makes it easy to customize them to suit your needs. One such feature is image placeholders. Image placeholders let you add an image by dragging and dropping the image into the placeholder.

4 Premium Microsoft Office Word Templates From Envato Elements for 2021

Here's a curated list of some of the best premium Microsoft Word business document templates for business:

1. Clean and Minimal Business Invoice (MS Word)

The Clean and Minimal business Invoice will make it easy for you to get an invoice to your client. The design of this invoice is clean, and it's got a professional layout. There are nice pops of color on the template that won't distract from the main purpose of the document.

2. Microsoft Word Proposal Template

The office template for Word, called Proposal, can be used in Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word, and Apple Pages. Here some key features of this template:

high resolution
32 Total Pages
easily customizable–customize colors with one click
comes in US letter size

This proposal template has a nice professional design that'll impress the recipient.

3. Krypton | Corporate Business Brochure

Krypton is a Word document template that's also available for Adobe InDesign. The business brochure comes with sixteen custom-designed pages. Easily edit the template to suit your needs.

This brochure includes both the A4 and US letter sizes. The Krypton business brochure has a contemporary and professional design. Repurpose it and use it like a Microsoft Word report template.

4. Project Proposal Office Template for Word

Project Proposal is a Microsoft Word template that can also be used in Adobe InDesign. Here are some highlights of this template:

24 pages
3 color scheme options
print ready
comes with infographics

The project proposal template has a clean and professional design.

3 Amazing MS Word Document Templates From GraphicRiver for 2021

Here's a hand-picked list of premium document templates for Microsoft Word:

1. Resume Microsoft Word Template

Resume is one of the best Microsoft Word business document templates on GraphicRiver. It's completely editable.

This resume's professional and unique design will make your resume stand out in the stack of resumes from other applicants. This resume template comes with four pages.

2. Brochure Business Template Word

The Brochure Business Template Word is a Microsoft Word template that comes in both A4 and US letter sizes. With this brochure template, you receive 16 custom pages to add any information on that you want on it. The design of this template is simple and professional. It's adaptable and can even be used like Microsoft Word report templates.

3. Brand Manual

This brand manual is a Word template for business. It's a great option if you've been hunting for the best Word document templates on GraphicRiver. Here are some highlights of this template:

28 total pages
everything is editable
compatible with Word and Adobe InDesign

This Brand Manual is great for anyone looking for an expertly designed brand manual. Using this manual will save you from trying to create a professional-looking brand manual yourself.

Microsoft Office Templates for Word to Download Free in 2021

Before looking for a free Word template on the web, check Envato's free offerings first. Try out various premium template files (not always Word templates for business) at no cost to you.

Here's the deal:

Every month Envato Elements offers 12 different hand-selected files, (fonts, presentations, videos, and more). Create a free account to download this month's free premium files now.
Or try Envato Market for free. They offer seven handpicked monthly freebies. Log in with your Envato Market account to get this month's handpicked premium freebies.

If you've checked the links above and couldn't find what you need, here's a hand-picked list of free Word templates:

1. Business Flyer

If you like document templates for free, you'll like this flyer. Use this free word templates download for events or any business-related matters. Customize the template by adding your own image to the template. Also, change the color scheme to match your branding.

2. Home Business Plan

This business plan is a great free Word template created for home-based businesses. Here are some highlights of this template:

includes a financial plan
includes instructions on how to create a business plan
includes a company overview

This template is great for a business that's just starting out.

3. Technology Business Newsletter

Technology business newsletter is a Microsoft Office template for Word. This Word template free is a newsletter. This Word template is an excellent way to make a company announcement or keep your employees up to date. Customize this template by adding your own image and changing the color schemes.

4. Business Report (6 Pages)

Have you been looking for free Word report templates? This free word templates is a formal business report. Here are some key features:

can add your own logo
Smart Art charts
instructions on how to use the template

This word template free is great for anyone looking for a simple business report.

5. Business Letter

This business letter is one of Microsoft's free Word document templates. This business letter template is great for anyone who wants to make sure that their letter is professional. The design is simple and business like. If you want free Word report templates, give this one a shot.

6. Financial Business Flyer

This financial business flyer is a free Word template for businesses. Here are some highlights of this template:

bold and simple design
can add your own image
can change the color scheme

This template is great for any business looking for a professional design for a flyer.

7. Simple Project Proposal

This Word template is a simple project proposal. This template doesn't have fancy designs. It's one of the good free Word templates available for someone who has never written a project proposal before.

8. Modern Chronological Resume

Modern Chronological resume is one of the best free Word templates to download from Microsoft. Here are some highlights of this template:

simple
emphasizes your experience
can change the color scheme

This template is great for someone who has a lot of job experience and wants to emphasize their experience in order by date.

9. Business Plan Template

The business plan template is a free Microsoft Word template. This template comes with tables and charts. Easily put together a business plan with this template.

10. Newsletter Template

Here's an option if you've been looking for newsletter document templates for free. If you don't have color ink or want to use less color ink this template comes with an ink-friendly design. Easily customize the colors and fonts of this template to customize it.

11. Memorandum Template

Memorandum Word template is one of the simple free Word templates for download. Here's a list of the key features:

can add your logo
formal memo
comes with a casual memo

This Word template free is great if you want to create a casual or formal memo but want to make sure that it looks professional. It's not a bad option if you've been searching for free Word report templates.

12. Meeting Agenda Templates

This Word template bundle for free comes with a:

basic meeting agenda template
staff meeting agenda template
general staff meeting agenda
team meeting agenda template

These free Word templates for download are great if you want a professional-looking agenda but don't have time to create one.

13. Meeting Minutes Template

This meeting minutes template comes with different Word document templates for free to choose from. This free Word template is a simple template that'll save you time from having to create a template. Easily customize the meeting minutes template to suit your needs.

14. Business Plan Template

Try this one out if you're looking for free Microsoft Word report templates. The business plan template is a Word template for business. Here are some key features of this template:

can be customized
includes a financial plan
professional design

This Word template design free download is great for someone who has never made a business plan before.

15. Employee Newsletter

Here's another example of the newsletter document templates for free. You won't have to create a professional-looking newsletter from scratch. Employee newsletters can let everyone know about upcoming company changes or events.

16. Software Newsletter

The software newsletter is a good option for free Word templates to download. Here are some highlights of this template:

modern design
software focused design
professional design

This template is great for anyone looking for a software themed newsletter.

17. Business Brochure

The business brochure is a trifold free Word templates download. Since the template is trifold, you can easily fold the brochure and put them in an envelope. Mailing your business brochure can help spread the word about your business. Edit the brochure template to add your own images. Try this out if you're looking for the best free Word templates for your brochure.

18. Company Event Program

The Company Event program is a business template for Word. Here are some highlights of this template:

modern design
can add the company logo
professional design
customizable

Using a company event program will help you get the word out about a business event.

19. Business Report (Contemporary Design)

Microsoft offers many free Microsoft Word report templates. This office template for Word has a contemporary design. Using a template like this Word template for free download will save you time. You won't have to create professional-looking business reports on your own. This Word template includes a cover page. Not bad for one of the free Word report templates available from Microsoft.

20. Financial Business Flyer

Financial business flyer is a Microsoft Office template for Word. This template has a simple but bold design that'll catch the attention of the recipient. Easily customize the template by adding your own pictures and colors to the template. Document templates for free from Microsoft don't come much better.

How to Customize Your Business Word Template

Now that you've got your business Word template, it's time to customize the template to fit your particular document. In this section, we'll cover five different ways that you can customize your Word template.

For the purposes of this tutorial, I'm using the premium template, Resume Word.

Let's get started:

1. Choose Your Theme

While the Word templates that you download come with a theme, it might not work as is for your particular business document. To change your document's theme, head on over to the Design tab on the top header of Microsoft Word. From there, choose the Theme icon and select your desired theme from the drop-down menu.

2. Add in Images

Many of the premium templates have image placeholders where you can insert your document's image. To insert your images into the design, click the image placeholder.

To add an image to your Word templates, choose the Insert top menu option. Then choose the Pictures option. Next, choose Picture from File... and select the image you'd like to add from your computer.

Once you select your image, resize it by dragging the corners of the image.

3. Customize Fonts

Another design aspect that you might want to customize are the fonts. The good news is that you don't have to manually edit each text block if you want to make a font change. You can edit the entire documents fonts with a single click.

To change the font for the template, head on over to Design and then choose Fonts. Now you can choose from any of the fonts listed and your change will be reflected throughout the entire document.

4. Add in Your Information

Now that you've got your design set and images added, it's time to add in your information to the Word template. All templates have text placeholders where you can simply double click the text and type in your documents information. The templates make it incredibly easy to add in text while keeping the professional design intact.

5. Add in Hyperlinks

Many of your business documents will contain information that needs to contain links to other sources. Microsoft Word makes it very easy for you to add in hyperlinks.

To add a hyperlink to any of your text in your Word template, highlight your text and right click. A menu appears. Select the Hyperlink... option. You can not only hyperlink a webpage, but you can also hyperlink to an email address and to sections within your document.

In the next section, we'll cover the top five design tips for your Word Templates.

Top 5 Word Template Design Tips

You need to make the most out of your business Word templates. Here are five trending design tips that'll help your document stand out from your competition:

1. Use a Sidebar

Sidebars are a great way to display your personal information if you're working on a resume. Using a solid color in for the background of this profile sidebar helps break up the design. It'll also highlight your contact details and personal accomplishments.

Sidebar Design — This premium Word resume template features a sidebar with profile information.

2. Use a Header and Footer Borders

One subtle way to add a more modern touch to your business documents is to add a header and footer design. This can be anything from a solid colored strip or a more unique design like abstract shapes of various colors. Whichever design you choose for the header and footer, keep it the same and don't have the height be too big.

3. Use a Single Color

Using a single color for any business document will have an impact. It shows that your document should be taken seriously and will instantly look professional. Blacks, dark grays, dark blues, and dark greens work really well here.

Use One Color — This premium Word template from Envato Elements relies on black.

4. Add Design Elements

A straight forward, well formatted document will instantly give you a professional business document. But adding a few other design elements to the document adds a unique touch.

Adding abstract shapes to your document works incredibly well. Try adding in abstract shapes that have more than one color for a more visually pleasing design.

5. Use a Big Header

In contrast to the smaller header, adding in a big header also works well for a business document design. Having a header that takes up a third of the page and has a solid colored background gives your document a sense of importance.

Looking for even more templates? Check out our next section where we go over even more Word templates that you can download.

Download More Templates Now!

If the Word templates presented in this article don't work for your particular business document, we've got plenty of premium Word report templates that you can check out.

Now let's have a look at top five benefits of using Premium Microsoft Office Word templates.

5 Benefits of Using Premium Microsoft Office Word Templates

Free Word templates are tempting to use, but there's nothing like premium business document templates. There are a lot of benefits that come with paid Word templates, but we'll just look at five:

They're easy to understand. Even if you aren't used to the software, many Microsoft Word report templates have help files. So, you get a hassle-free experience.
Templates save time. Creating a report from scratch is a long process. Cut this time by using Word templates and focus your attention on your report's contents.
Licensing is worry-free. Unlike a free Word templates download, the licenses for use are clear for items found on Envato Elements and GraphicRiver.
What you see is what you get. Sometimes the screenshots of free Word document templates don't line up with what you download. That's never a problem with our premium Word templates.
High quality is guaranteed. Many sites with free Word report templates don't have quality checks. You'll always have peace of mind when buying from Envato Elements and GraphicRiver. All items are hand-reviewed for quality.

Common Microsoft Word Document Questions Answered (FAQ)

It doesn't matter if you're a Microsoft Word expert or beginner, you'll still have questions. The good news is that Envato Tuts+ has answers. I'll answer a few common questions Microsoft Word users of all levels might have about their documents:

1. How Can I Work Faster in Microsoft Word?

Keyboard shortcuts can end up saving you a lot of time while you work. You may know common ones like Ctrl+C to copy, Ctrl+V to paste, and Ctrl+S to save. But there are loads more that you should know. Check out this list of keyboard shortcuts to save time:

Microsoft Word

30+ Best Microsoft Word Keyboard Shortcuts to Quickly Work in Docs

Alexis (Lexi) Rodrigo

2. How Do I Add Images to Shapes?

You can fit your images into your Word template's different shapes easily. Just click the shape where you want to insert the picture. Then click the Shape Fill button within the Shape Format tab and click Picture... from the drop-down menu.

Learn how to do this and more in your document templates from this tutorial:

Microsoft Word

How to Quickly Find, Edit, & Use Microsoft Word Templates (MS Theme Files)

Alexis (Lexi) Rodrigo

3. What Are the Different Paste Options in Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word lets you Keep Source Formatting, Merge Formatting, or keep Text Only when you paste. The first option copies the formatting from the original source. The second keeps the formatting of the section you're working in. The third pastes the plain text only.

4. Can I Work With My Team on the Same Document?

There are a couple of ways to collaborate on the same Microsoft Word report template. You can make and share copies with your team, or work in real-time on the same document. This tutorial has a step by step guide on how to do both:

Microsoft Word

How to Compare and Merge Two Microsoft Word Documents

Alexis (Lexi) Rodrigo

5. How Do I Change the Default Language of My Document?

Click on the Review tab. Once there, click on the Language drop-down menu under the Language group. From there, choose the Set Proofing Language... option to change the language.

Learn More About Working With Microsoft Word

Do you want to learn more about Microsoft Word? Here are some resources that'll help:

Download Microsoft Word Templates Today!

We've just shown you free templates, premium Microsoft Word templates, and business templates for Word from Envato Elements and GraphicRiver.

Save time. Have a professionally designed business document for any occasion for your next project. Download a premium template today and get started today!

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Nathan Umoh and Daniel Strongin. Nathan is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+. Daniel is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+.

Working With Type on a Path in Illustrator

Posted: 05 Jun 2021 12:00 AM PDT

Do you want to learn how to type on a path in Illustrator? In this tutorial, I'll show you the basic techniques for attaching text to a path.

What You Will Learn in This Type on a Path Illustrator Tutorial

How to type on a path in Illustrator
How to flip text on a path in Illustrator
How to use the Type on a Path Tool in illustrator
How to write vertical text
How to write text along a circle

Follow along with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

1. How to Type Text Around a Circular Path

Step 1

Let's start with the badge scenario. You can use any graphic you want for this purpose. I used this set of barbecue badges from Envato Elements. I also used this set of fonts.

The first thing you need to do is create a baseline for the text to follow. Create either a circle or part of a circle within the badge. Your choice will depend on how much text you have and how far you would like it to wrap around the circle.

create a path — If you want to attach text to a path in Illustrator, first you need a path!

Step 2

After you've created your path, click on it using either the Type Tool or the Type On A Path Tool. If you are working with a closed path, such as a circle, your only option is the Type On A Path tool. Click on the path and a blinking cursor will appear. Enter your text.

In some cases, the text will not fit on the curve. Notice the square box with a plus (+) symbol in it? That indicates that there is more text than path. No worries! This is easily remedied.

Step 3

The first thing I like to do is to give the text some breathing room. Click on the text with the Selection Tool. This will allow you to see the left, center, and right alignment brackets. Using the Selection Tool again, drag the left bracket to the far left of the path and the right bracket to the far right. Now you have access to the entire path.

Step 4

If your text is still falling off the path (indicated by the square box with the plus (+) symbol that stubbornly refuses to disappear), you will need to adjust the size, spacing, or horizontal scale of the font to fit it along the path. Sometimes it's as simple as using a different font. In this example, I changed both the font and the point size. The text now fits along the path perfectly.

Now that the text is in place, you will probably want to fine-tune it further. Do you want the text centered? Right aligned? Left aligned? Simply select the text and format it the same way you would any other text using the Control panel, the Paragraph panel, or the Character panel. Alternatively, grab the alignment brackets and slide them until your text sits exactly where you want it. You can also add spaces and adjust the kerning.

2. How to Modify the Shape of Text on a Path in Illustrator

There are several different effects you can apply to text on a path. To apply them, select the path and go to Type > Type On A Path > Type On A Path Options. Below are examples of how each option affects type on a path.

3. How to Change the Position of Text on a Path in Illustrator

What if you don't like where your text sits on the path? No problem! Select the path. Then, choose Type > Type On A Path > Type On A Path Options. In the Align To Path menu, choose one of the following options: Ascender, Descender, Center, or Baseline (the default alignment).

4. How to Flip Text on a Path in Illustrator

What if you don't want your type to run on top of the text path you created? Flip it! It's as simple as grabbing one of the alignment brackets and pulling it to the other side of the path. You can also flip text by going to Type > Type On A Path > Type On A Path Options and selecting Flip.

flipping the text manually — After you've used the Type on a Path Tool, flip the text by dragging the marker

Sometimes text flips when you don't want it to flip, which can be quite annoying. To avoid accidentally flipping text, hold down Control (Windows) or Command (macOS) while you move the text.

5. How to Adjust Character Spacing Around Sharp Curves

Sometimes text doesn't flow smoothly along a path. Tight curves are especially vexing. When this happens, you will have to either adjust the curve or adjust the text.

Select the path. Then, choose Type > Type On A Path > Type On A Path Options. Enter a value or choose from the values provided. The higher the number, the more space is removed between characters. When you are working with extremely tight angles, fine-tuning can be a very tedious process. Sometimes it's easier to either adjust the curve or slide the text along the path until it sits comfortably.

6. How to Write Vertical Text in Illustrator

So far, I've only shown you how to apply horizontal text. You can also create vertical text on a path. Select either the Vertical Type Tool or the Vertical Type On A Path Tool. Then, click on your path and start typing.

7. How to Use Illustrator's Text to Path Function

OK, but what if you want to go back to the path after creating the text, for example to style it? Take the Lasso Tool (Q) and use it to select all the text. Then simply copy the selection and paste it! If you want to paste it in the same place it was before, use the shortcut Control-F.

And if by "Illustrator text to path function" you mean turning the text into outlines, this short tutorial will explain it perfectly for you:

Adobe Illustrator

How to Convert Text to Outlines in Illustrator

Monika Zagrobelna

Conclusion

Now you know how to write on a path in Illustrator! You know the ins and outs, ups and downs, and curves and swerves of creating text on a path, so you will be able to tackle your next text on a curve project with ease. Spice up your next project by throwing in a few lines of text on paths!