Tekstbehandlingsprogrammer

Tekstbehandling, or word processing, is the set of computer software tools designed to create, edit, format, and manage text-based documents. It supports composing material ranging from simple letters to complex reports, with features that emphasize both content and presentation.

Core functions include editing text, selecting fonts and sizes, applying styles, and controlling paragraph formatting. Users can insert tables, images, footnotes, and headers or footers, adjust margins and columns, and manage page layout. Most word processors provide spell and grammar checking, find-and-replace, and built-in thesauri, as well as templates and mail merge for bulk correspondence. Collaboration features such as track changes and comments enable multiple people to review revisions.

Documents are stored in formats such as DOCX, ODT, RTF, or plain text, and can be exported to PDF or other formats for distribution. Interoperability and standard formats are important, and many word processors offer cloud storage and real-time collaboration across devices.

Tekstbehandling emerged from early standalone word processors in the 1970s and 1980s and evolved into feature-rich desktop publishing tools with the advent of graphical user interfaces. Today, word processing is typically bundled in office suites and available as desktop and cloud-based applications, supporting offline and online workflows.

Uses include drafting correspondence, creating reports, preparing academic papers, and organizing manuscripts. Benefits include efficiency, consistency, and accessibility, while risks include over-formatting, dependency on a single tool, and security or privacy concerns in cloud-based solutions.