This article explains how to create a brochure using Microsoft Word on Windows and Mac systems. Brochures are documents that contain information and can be folded into a compact format. To create one in Microsoft Word, you can use a preset template or start from scratch.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use a Template
Step 1. Open Microsoft Word
The app icon is dark blue, with a white "W".
Step 2. Write brochure in the search bar at the top, then hit Enter
This will search for brochure templates in the program database.
On Mac, if you don't see the templates page, click File in the top menu bar and select New from model … in the pop-up menu that appeared.
Step 3. Select a brochure template
Find the one you prefer and click on it. The preview page will open.
Many models have similar formats, so you should choose the one you prefer based on the appearance
Step 4. Click Create
You will see this button to the right of the brochure preview. Press it and Word will start loading your document, which should be ready after a few seconds.
Step 5. Enter your brochure information
This step changes according to the model you have chosen; for most brochures, simply replace the provisional text with your company information.
- Many brochures contain a few pages of information and a section dedicated to testimonials.
- You can replace the photos in the brochure by clicking on one of them, then on the tab Format, on Edit image, "From file" and selecting a file from your computer.
Step 6. Save the brochure
To do it:
- Windows: click on File, then on Save with name, click twice on This PC, click on a save path on the left side of the window, write the name of the brochure in the "File name" text field and finally click on Save.
- Mac: click on File, click on Save with name, enter the name of the brochure in the "Save as" field, click on the "Where" box, then select a folder and click on Save.
Method 2 of 2: Create a Brochure from Scratch
Step 1. Open Microsoft Word
The app icon is dark blue, with a white "W".
Step 2. Click on Blank Document
You will see this white box at the top left of the window. Press it and a blank Word document will open.
Skip this step on Mac
Step 3. Click on the Layout tab
You'll find it at the top of the Word window. A new bar will appear below the tool row.
Step 4. Click on Margins
You will see this option on the far left of the bar Layout. Press it and a menu will open.
Step 5. Click on Custom Margins…
This is the last item on the menu that just appeared. Press it and a new window will open.
Step 6. Shrink all margins
In the "Margins" section, at the top of the window, you will see several items (for example "Left") and next to each of them a 1 in a text field. Set the values in those fields to 0, 1 to make sure the brochure margins are large enough for your content.
Step 7. Click on Horizontal in the center of the window
Step 8. Click OK at the bottom
This way you save the changes and change the format of your Word document.
Step 9. Add columns to your document
To do it:
- Make sure the card Layout is still open.
- Click on Columns.
- Select the number of columns in the menu that appears.
Step 10. Add the column breaks
This way you make sure that each column of the brochure contains separate paragraphs of information. To do it:
- Make sure the card Layout is still open.
- Click on Interruptions.
- Click on Columns in the menu that appears.
Step 11. Enter the brochure information
There are two main types of information you can add to your document:
- Text: write the information of the brochure in the columns. You can edit the entered text by clicking on the tab Home and using the items in the "Font" section after selecting the text to change.
- Images: make sure the cursor is at the point on the page where you want to insert a photo, then click insert, then on Images, select a photo and click on insert or You open.
Step 12. Save your brochure
To do it:
- Windows: click on File, then on Save with name, click twice on This PC, click on a save path on the left side of the window, write the name of the brochure in the "File name" text field and click on Save.
- Mac: click on File, click on Save with name, enter the name of the brochure in the "Save as" field, click on the "Where" box, then select a folder and click on Save.
Advice
- You may find it helpful to draft your brochure on paper before setting it up in Word.
- Remember to print your brochure on both sides.
