Many people allow their computer to decide where to store their word processing documents. They simply "Save" each document, and the computer just puts it into its "default" folder (normally called "Documents" or "My Documents").
If you have a lot of documents this can become quite untidy. A better way is to take control and tell your computer where you want to save your work.
For example, suppose you wanted to separately store the short stories that you write, the correspondence you have with your penpal in Alaska, and the letters you write to family members; you could set up three folders to hold these, and call them "Stories", "PenPal" and "Family".
Suppose you're using MS Works 4.5*, here's one way you could set this up, with the three folders all inside the default folder:-

a) Make the new folders.
Start MS Works and open a new blank word processor document.
From the menu bar select "File", "Save As". The normal dialogue box will open with the name of the default folder (probably "Documents") shown in the "Save In" slot at the top, and a list of files that are already saved, shown in the main section of the dialogue box.
Place the mouse pointer in a blank white part of the main area (ie not directly over a file name) and click the RIGHT mouse button once. From the drop-down menu which appears, place the pointer over the "New" entry, then slide it sideways into the second box which then opens and click the entry "Folder".
Immediately you will notice a new folder has been created for you. It is aptly already named as "New Folder" and is highlighted ready for editing. Use the keyboard to type in the name you actually want (in this case you would type "Stories"), then tap the "Enter" key to enter your new name.
Repeat the process to create two more folders, for "PenPal" and "Family" (or whatever number and names of folders you require).

b) Use the new folders to store your documents.
Next time you write a letter to a family member, you can easily store it in the "family" folder when you've finished:-
Select "File", "Save As" from the menu bar.
Assuming you had started from a new blank document in the first place, the "Save In" slot at the top will have the name of the default folder (probably "Documents"), and your new folders will be displayed in the main box below. One of them will be labeled "Family" (assuming this is the name you used).
Open the "Family" folder by double clicking it (or just click once on it, then select the button labeled "Open"). You will now notice that the "Save In" slot at the top now says "Family" and the contents of this folder will be shown in the main box below. There will be nothing in it yet, if this is the first time you've used it.
Now type the name of your new document in the "File Name" slot at the bottom in the usual way, and click the "Save" button.

With this method you can keep your documents together in whatever folders suit your purpose.

The same convention applies whenever you want to open a file (document) you've already saved. When you select "File", "Open" from the menu bar, you will need to double click the folder you want to open (or click once and select the "Open" button), to see the documents stored inside it.
*Note: For MS Word 2000 the method described above (for making a new folder) doesn't work. However, you will find a button on the toolbar when you open the "Save As" dialogue box (with a yellow folder icon and a star in one corner), which will create a new folder when clicked. The instructions should be OK for Works 5.0 and 6.0
Another point to remember - If you open a file, make some changes, then go to save it again, the word processor will automatically remember which folder the file originally came from, and will save the file back to that same folder again. So, if you open a letter from your "Family" folder and add some more to it, then select "File", "Save As" to save it again you will notice the "Save In" slot at the top will already display the name of the folder you want ("Family"). In this instance there's no need to use "Save As"- you could just select "Save" and the document would just go back where it came from.
If you want to understand more about how your computer's filing system works, and learn how to organise it to suit your convenience, how to find lost files, how to move files around, copy them and so on, consider taking the SeniorNet File Management course. However, this course is suitable only for people who have a good basic understanding of word processing principles (ie you will have completed Word Processing 1 and 2), and reasonable skills in using the mouse.

Cheers, John Selby.

First Printed in SNN Newsletter July 2001