How to Format for a Modified Block Letter in Word 2007

1. Open your word processing software.
2. Scroll down and mouse-click on 'New' and then 'Blank Document.'
3. On the ribbon menu at the top of the window, make sure you are 'home' by clicking on that word, and then click on the 'Page Layout' tab.
4. Select 'Normal,' which will set the margins at 1 inch.
5. On the first line, tab over seven times and enter the first line of the return address. Complete each line of the return address in the same manner, so that every line of the return address aligns one tab over from the center. (If one of these lines is lengthy, you can tab over just six times, so that they all align without wrapping, at approximately center, but 'blocked' rather than 'centered.')This single spaced block of text (the return address) will be just right of center. Now hit the enter key twice.
6. Tab over seven (or six) times. Enter the date, spelling out the month (e.g., September 2, 2009). Hit the enter key twice.
7. Type the salutation, or opening remark (e.g., Mr. Smith, To Whom It May Concern, Dear Jenny, etc.), and follow with a comma. Hit the enter key twice.
8. Enter the first sentence of the letter. Continue through with the overall message of the letter, hitting the enter key twice when at the end of a paragraph. This will double space between paragraphs, which follows the modified block style. Hit the enter key twice at the end of the letter as well.
9. The valediction, or complimentary closing, follows. But this must follow the modified block style---so tab over the seven (or six) times so that the closing is in alignment with the return address and the date. 'Sincerely,' or 'Yours truly,' are two examples of complimentary closings. Be sure to punctuate with a comma, and then hit the enter key four times. These four empty lines provide the space for the author's signature.
10. Tab over seven (or six) times, type your name (or the name of the sender, if you are typing the letter for another person), and hit the enter key twice more.
11. If the letter was typed for someone else, his initials in upper case and the typist's initials in lower case appear at the end of the letter. For example, if John R. Lee was the author of the letter and Debi Green was the typist, the initials would appear like this: JRL:dg. You have the option of typing the initials flush left or in alignment under the return address, date, etc.