Many of you seemed excited about the grocery shopping template I shared earlier. Some folks expressed an interest in creating their own form without totally recreating it. Your wish is my command. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to create your own version of my template using Microsoft Word. I realize the pictures might look different depending on your computer and your version of Word. (I am using Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac users). If you can’t get things to work quite right, or you have questions, feel free to contact me, and I will do my best to help you out. Here’s to joyful creations!
- Select “File” and “Page Setup”. Then choose landscape mode (so your paper is 11 inches wide and 8.5 inches tall).
- Format your document so all of the margins are 0.5 inches. This provides maximum space for your list.
- The next step is to create four columns. I like this because it allows me to fold my list before I go to the store so it is smaller and easier to carry. It also helps me to focus on just one or two aisles, and I can quickly double check I have everything in one column before moving to the next. (That way if the human, error-making side of me accidentally overlooks anything, I catch it before moving on to the next aisle.)
- Start with a spot for your dinner ideas for the week. (This is also where I start when filling out my grocery list.) Type the day you do your shopping first; that way you have that day’s dinner on your list along with enough meals to get you through until you go shopping again next week.
- Set a tab at 2 inches. Choose “Format”, “Tabs”, type in 2, then click “OK”. After typing the day of the week, select “underline” and then press tab. This will get you a blank line without having to type numerous underscore symbols (and all of your lines will end in exactly the same spot).
- List the department you shop first. Now for the check box (this is my favorite part). Choose “Insert”, “Symbol”, and “Advanced Symbol”.
You might need to change the font in the window that appears in order to find a checkbox. (A common font that is standard on many computers is Zapf Dingbats.) Click on the check box you like best. Select “Insert”, then “Close”. You can type a grocery item after the checkbox, or select “Underline” again, and press tab. I tend to type in the names of products I purchase often, and then some blank lines in each category.
- Repeat the process for each department. You can copy and paste the check box before each item. Or copy the check box and the blank line at the same time, and you can paste it repeatedly under each category.
- When you reach the bottom of one column, you will be automatically advanced into the next column.
- Lastly, if you want to put a box around your dinner ideas, choose “Insert” and “Shape”. Choose a rectangle from the pictures that appear. Then click and drag in your template to draw a rectangle around your list of dinner ideas.
- When you let go, a box will appear (it usually defaults to a solid blue box on my computer), and all of the text is moved. Do not stress; we will fix everything in a minute.
- With the rectangle selected, click on “Format” (upper left), and then choose “Text Wrap” on the right, and select “In Front of Text”. Your text should now go back to where it all belongs, but your list of dinner ideas will be hidden behind the box.
- Click “Fill” with the little paint bucket next to it. Choose “No Fill”. Your box will now be empty, and your list of dinner ideas should reappear. If you like, you can also click on “Line” and change the line color or thickness.
- Your customized personal grocery list should now be complete! Remember to save this document. That way you can go back to it at any time to change your items, organization, font, or whatever else suits your fancy.
I hope you enjoy your new template. Maybe you even learned a few new tricks in Word today that will be helpful in other things you do.
What other forms do you find helpful? Maybe you would like to share one or request a new one. I love to create forms. Who knows…you might find your suggestion in an upcoming post!
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