Word includes a handy utility that allows you to easily create labels containing any wording you would like. For instance, you might like to have some labels that contain your return address, or others that serve as labels for diskettes.

The first step in creating labels, believe it or not, doesn't even require Word. It involves running down to your local office supply store (OK—you can use a catalog or shop online if you want) and picking up the labels you want to use. If you haven't looked lately, it seems there are hundreds of different types of labels, each designed for a different purpose.

To use labels with Word, it is a good idea to either purchase Avery labels or look for their equivalents. The numbers assigned by Avery to their labels have in some sense become a standard for labels. In fact, many other vendors produce labels that use the same part numbers as Avery labels. These numbers will come in very handy when you start using Word to create your labels.

Once you have the labels you are ready to sit down and become creative. Simply follow these steps within Word:

1. Display the Envelopes and Labels dialog box. You do this in Word 97 and Word 2000 by choosing Tools | Envelopes and Labels. You do this in Word 2002 and Word 2003 by choosing Tools | Letters and Mailings | Envelopes and Labels. In Word 2007 you choose the Mailings tab from the ribbon and then click Labels within the Create group.
2. Make sure the Labels tab is selected. (It already will be in Word 2007.) (See Figure 1.)



Figure 1. The Labels tab of the Envelopes and Labels dialog box.

3. In the Address box, enter the text you want to appear on the label. Regardless of what Word says, this does not have to be an actual address, but can be any text. (If you want to use your actual return address, you can click the Use Return Address check box.)
4. Click once on the label in the lower-right corner of the dialog box, or click on the Options button. Word displays the Label Options dialog box. (See Figure 2.)



Figure 2. The Label Options dialog box.

5. At the top of the dialog box, specify the characteristics of the printer you will use to create your labels.
6. If you did not get Avery labels (or labels that include an Avery number), use the Label Products drop-down list to select who made your labels.
7. In the Product Number list, select your label from those provided. Notice that the labels represent the product lines of the label manufacturer you selected in step 6.
8. Click on OK. Word closes the Label Options dialog box.
9. In the Print area at the lower-left corner of the dialog box, specify whether you want to print an entire sheet of labels or a single label. (If you are going to reuse this label at all, it is much easier to print an entire sheet of the labels.)
10. If you chose to print a single label, specify the position on the page where the single label should print.
11. If you chose to print a single label, click on Print. The dialog box is closed and the label is printed.
12. If you chose to print a full sheet of labels in step 9 click on New Document. Word closes the dialog box and creates an entire document that represent what your label sheets will look like. (You could choose Print if you wanted, but the New Document option is much more versatile.)
13. Make any adjustments to the contents of the document. This means you can individualize each label, change fonts, change positioning, or do any other formatting task you want.
14. Print your document (the labels) as you normally would any other document.