Microsoft Word vs. Wordpad: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 23, 2024

Microsoft Word is a full-featured word processing program with extensive formatting and design options, while Wordpad is a simpler, more basic text editor with limited features.

Microsoft Word vs. Wordpad

Key Differences

Microsoft Word is a comprehensive word processing software offering a wide range of features for document creation, formatting, and editing. In contrast, Wordpad is a basic text-editing program that provides essential formatting tools but lacks the advanced features of Word.

Jan 23, 2024

Word offers templates, advanced formatting, graphics insertion, and spell checking, making it suitable for professional document creation. Wordpad, though capable of basic formatting like bold, italics, and font changes, lacks these advanced capabilities.

Jan 23, 2024

Microsoft Word supports a variety of file formats including DOCX, PDF, and HTML, making it versatile for different uses. Wordpad primarily supports RTF and plain text formats, limiting its compatibility with other software.

Jan 23, 2024

In Microsoft Word, users can insert and edit tables, images, hyperlinks, and charts, enhancing document presentation. Wordpad offers basic text editing with minimal options for inserting objects or complex formatting.

Jan 23, 2024

Word is part of the Microsoft Office suite and often requires a purchase or subscription, while Wordpad is a free application included with Windows, offering basic functionality for casual use.

Jan 23, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Comparison Chart

Features

Advanced formatting, templates, spell check

Basic text formatting

Jan 23, 2024

File Format Compatibility

DOCX, PDF, HTML, and more

Primarily RTF and plain text

Jan 23, 2024

Usage

Professional and versatile document creation

Casual text editing

Jan 23, 2024

Inserting Objects

Supports tables, images, hyperlinks, charts

Minimal support for object insertion

Jan 23, 2024

Cost

Requires purchase or subscription

Free with Windows

Jan 23, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Microsoft Word and Wordpad Definitions

Microsoft Word

Compatible with various file formats for versatility.

I saved my document as a PDF using Microsoft Word.

Jan 03, 2024

Wordpad

Primarily supports RTF and plain text formats.

I saved my file as RTF in Wordpad.

Jan 03, 2024

Microsoft Word

Includes features like spell check and grammar correction.

Microsoft Word highlighted my spelling errors automatically.

Jan 03, 2024

Wordpad

A basic text-editing program in Windows.

I opened Wordpad to jot down some quick notes.

Jan 03, 2024

Microsoft Word

Part of the Microsoft Office suite.

Microsoft Word is often used alongside Excel and PowerPoint.

Jan 03, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Wordpad

Offers simple formatting tools.

I used Wordpad to type a plain text document.

Jan 03, 2024

Microsoft Word

A full-featured word processing program.

I used Microsoft Word to design my resume.

Jan 03, 2024

Wordpad

Lacks advanced features like templates and spell check.

For basic writing without distractions, I prefer Wordpad.

Jan 03, 2024

Microsoft Word

Supports extensive text formatting and design.

Creating a newsletter is easy with Microsoft Word's tools.

Jan 03, 2024

Wordpad

A free alternative for casual text editing.

Wordpad is my go-to for quick and simple writing tasks.

Jan 03, 2024

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can Microsoft Word create professional documents?

Yes, it's designed for professional use.

Jan 23, 2024

What is Wordpad?

A basic text editor included with Windows.

Jan 23, 2024

Does Word offer spell checking?

Yes, along with grammar correction.

Jan 23, 2024

What file formats can I save in Wordpad?

Mainly RTF and plain text.

Jan 23, 2024

What is Microsoft Word?

A comprehensive word processing software.

Jan 23, 2024

Can I insert images in Wordpad?

Yes, but with limited functionality.

Jan 23, 2024

Is Wordpad suitable for professional document creation?

No, it's more for casual or basic use.

Jan 23, 2024

Which file formats does Word support?

DOCX, PDF, HTML, and more.

Jan 23, 2024

Is Wordpad free?

Yes, it comes free with Windows.

Jan 23, 2024

Can I create tables in Microsoft Word?

Yes, with various customization options.

Jan 23, 2024

Does Wordpad support advanced formatting?

No, it offers only basic formatting.

Jan 23, 2024

Is Wordpad good for beginners?

Yes, due to its simplicity.

Jan 23, 2024

Does Wordpad have a spell checker?

No, it lacks this feature.

Jan 23, 2024

Is Microsoft Word good for academic writing?

Yes, it's widely used in academic and professional settings.

Jan 23, 2024

Is Microsoft Word free?

No, it often requires a purchase or subscription.

Jan 23, 2024

Is Microsoft Word user-friendly?

Yes, though it may have a learning curve due to its many features.

Jan 23, 2024

Can I use Wordpad for quick notes?

Yes, it's ideal for simple note-taking.

Jan 23, 2024

Does Word have templates?

Yes, for various document types.

Jan 23, 2024

Can I edit PDFs in Microsoft Word?

Yes, Word has capabilities to edit PDF files.

Jan 23, 2024

Can I create a resume in Microsoft Word?

Yes, with many design options available.

Jan 23, 2024

Share this page

Link for your blog / website

HTML

Link to share via messenger

Another vs. Other

Microsoft Word vs. Wordpad

Nomination vs. Assignment

Microsoft Word vs. Wordpad

About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

Trending Comparisons

Android TV vs. Tizen TV

Android TV vs. Tizen TV

February 26, 2024

Android TV is a smart TV platform powered by Google's Android OS, offering extensive app compatibility, while Tizen TV is Samsung's smart TV OS, known for its smooth interface and integration with Samsung devices.

Mom vs. Son

December 29, 2024

Mom typically refers to a female parent, emphasizing nurturing and caregiving roles, while a son is a male child of parents, highlighting familial lineage and male offspring dynamics.

Pastor vs. Reverend

Pastor vs. Reverend

February 23, 2024

A pastor is a religious leader of a Christian congregation, while reverend is a title used to address or refer to Christian clergy.

Million vs. Billion

Million vs. Billion

February 29, 2024

A million is 1,000,000, while a billion is 1,000,000,000; a billion is a thousand times larger than a million.

Shriners vs. Masons

Shriners vs. Masons

February 29, 2024

Shriners are a subgroup within Freemasonry known for charitable work, especially children's hospitals; Masons are members of the larger, older fraternity of Freemasonry with broader goals and activities.

Rescind vs. Revoke

Rescind vs. Revoke

July 10, 2024

Rescind involves officially cancelling a decision or agreement; revoke means to officially cancel the validity of something, often involving rights or licenses.

Symmetric vs. Symmetrical

Symmetric vs. Symmetrical

December 9, 2024

Symmetric implies balance and equality in parts or arrangement, while symmetrical explicitly refers to mirror-like or harmonious proportions.

Coordinator vs. Supervisor

Coordinator vs. Supervisor

September 30, 2024

A coordinator aligns team tasks for efficiency, focusing on project logistics; a supervisor oversees staff performance, guiding and evaluating work.

Positivism vs. Post-Positivism

Positivism vs. Post-Positivism

May 26, 2024

Positivism emphasizes observable, empirical evidence and the scientific method, while post-positivism recognizes the limitations of pure objectivity and incorporates subjective perspectives.

Fascism vs. Dictatorship

Fascism vs. Dictatorship

March 2, 2024

Fascism is a political ideology with authoritarian nationalism; dictatorship is a governance form with absolute power in one person or group, differing in ideology and structure.

McAfee LiveSafe vs. McAfee Total Protection

McAfee LiveSafe vs. McAfee Total Protection

February 22, 2024

McAfee LiveSafe offers unlimited device protection including identity, data, and personal security, while McAfee Total Protection focuses more on malware, virus defense, and internet security for limited devices.

Mercy vs. Compassion

Mercy vs. Compassion

December 18, 2024

Mercy involves leniency or forgiveness towards someone in one’s power, often not giving a punishment deserved, while compassion is the empathetic understanding and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

Pulley vs. Sheave

Pulley vs. Sheave

April 4, 2024

A pulley is a wheel on an axle designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable, while a sheave is the wheel part of a pulley system that specifically interacts with the cable.

ASCII vs. EBCDIC

ASCII vs. EBCDIC

February 28, 2024

ASCII is a 7-bit character encoding standard for text; EBCDIC is an 8-bit character encoding used mainly in IBM mainframe systems.

Ash vs. Soot

November 19, 2024

Ash is the residue left after combustion, mainly composed of mineral matter, while soot is a fine black powder formed by incomplete combustion of fuel.

NM3 vs. M3

April 19, 2024

NM3 measures gas volume under Normal conditions (0°C and 1.01325 bar), while M3 measures volume under the conditions at which it is measured, without standard adjustment.

The Atlantic vs. The New Yorker

The Atlantic vs. The New Yorker

February 27, 2024

The Atlantic is a magazine focusing on news, politics, and cultural commentary, while The New Yorker features a mix of reporting, commentary, criticism, fiction, and cartoons.

Paranormal vs. Supernatural

Paranormal vs. Supernatural

December 26, 2024

Paranormal involves phenomena beyond scientific explanation, focusing on events like ghost sightings. Supernatural encompasses all beyond natural laws, including deities and magic.

TPU vs. PU

April 26, 2024

TPU is a type of thermoplastic elastomer with high elasticity and durability, while PU, or polyurethane, is versatile with varying hardness and used in multiple applications.

Parish vs. County

Parish vs. County

February 26, 2024

A parish is a local church community or its jurisdiction area, whereas a county is a larger administrative division in a state or country.

Broadsheet vs. Tabloid

Broadsheet vs. Tabloid

November 2, 2024

Broadsheet is a large-format newspaper focusing on serious content; Tabloid is a smaller, sensational news-focused paper.

Report vs. Article

Report vs. Article

July 20, 2024

A report presents findings or results, often following research or analysis, while an article is a written piece on a wide range of topics, primarily for information or entertainment.

Bachelor vs. Batchelor

Bachelor vs. Batchelor

December 22, 2024

"Bachelor" refers to an unmarried man; "Batchelor" is a less common spelling, often a surname or a place name, not used in the context of marital status.

Microfiber vs. Polyester

Microfiber vs. Polyester

March 1, 2024

Microfiber is a type of polyester with finer threads, offering superior softness and cleaning ability, while polyester is more versatile and durable.

Featured Comparisons

Helicopter vs. Chopper

Helicopter vs. Chopper

Coyote vs. Jackal

Coyote vs. Jackal

Cuddle vs. Snuggle

Cuddle vs. Snuggle

Fate vs. Destiny

Fate vs. Destiny

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy