Word processor program

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Computer program that provides word processing functions

This article is about the computer program. For stand-alone word processing machines, see Word processor (electronic device). For the general concept, see Word processor.

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A document being edited in the LibreOffice word processor

A word processor program is an application program that provides word processing functions. The most basic of them include input, editing, formatting, and output of rich text.

Word processor programs run on general purpose computers, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers.

The functions of a word processor program are typically between those of a simple text editor and a desktop publishing program; Many word processing programs have gained advanced features over time providing similar functionality to desktop publishing programs.[1][2][3]

Common word processor programs include LibreOffice Writer, Google Docs and Microsoft Word.

## History

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The first known electronic word processor program was Electric Pencil, released in 1976, as a tool for programmers to write documentation and manuals for their code. Electric pencil featured basic formatting and navigation, and supported external devices such as cassette recorders and printers. Electric Pencil II was released shortly after, targeting the CP/M operating system. Several other word processing programs were released shortly after, including EasyWriter and WordStar.[4]

A screenshot of WordStar 3.0 in use

WordStar was created in four months by Seymour Rubinstein after founding MicroPro International in 1978. WordStar is commonly attributed as the first WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor, as the WordStar editor replicated the printed output.

Inspired by the success of WordStar by 1982 many competitors began to release their offerings,[5] including WordPerfect in 1979, MultiMate in 1982, and Microsoft Word in 1983.[4][6]

## List of word processor programs

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Notable programs include:

List of word processor programs  Word processor | Year

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Electric Pencil | 1976
WordStar | 1978
WordPerfect | 1979
EasyWriter | 1979
IBM DisplayWrite | 1981
MultiMate | 1982
Volkswriter | 1982
Microsoft Word | 1983
MacWrite | 1984
StarWriter | 1985
Lotus Manuscript | 1986
TextMaker | 1987
Sprint | 1987
IBM Lotus Word Pro | 1988
Nisus Writer | 1989
InPage | 1994
WordPad | 1995
TextEdit | 1996
Ability Write | 1996
KWord | 1998
AbiWord | 1998
Adobe InCopy | 1999
Atlantis Word Processor | 2000
Jarte | 2001
OpenOffice.org Writer | 2002
Pages | 2005
JWPce | 2005
Google Docs | 2006
Scrivener | 2007
WordGrinder | 2007
PolyEdit | 2010
LibreOffice Writer | 2011
Apache OpenOffice Writer | 2012
Calligra Words | 2012
Collabora Online | 2016

A word processing function is an essential part of an office suite, for example Writer in LibreOffice and Word in Microsoft Office. With the ascent of the internet, cloud-based word processor programs emerged, such as Google Docs, enabling people to more easily work remotely and collaboratively. Later on other online word processors such as Microsoft Office on the web and Collabora Online became available.

## See also

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* Word processor
* Word processor (electronic device)

## References

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1. ^ Bruce Byfield. "Advanced Layout with LibreOffice Writer". linux-magazine.com. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
2. ^ Amanda Presley (28 January 2010). "What Distinguishes Desktop Publishing From Word Processing?". Brighthub.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
3. ^ "How to Use Microsoft Word as a Desktop Publishing Tool". PCWorld. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
4. ^ a b Bergin, Thomas J. (October 2006). "The Origins of Word Processing Software for Personal Computers: 1976-1985". IEEE Annals of the History of Computing. 28 (4): 32–47\. Bibcode:2006IAHC...28d..32T. doi:10.1109/MAHC.2006.76. ISSN 1934-1547. S2CID 18895790.
5. ^ Freiberger, Paul; Dvorak, John C. (1982-04-12). "West Coast Computer Faire draws 40,000 people". InfoWorld. pp. 1, 6–7. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
6. ^ Bergin, Thomas J. (October 2006). "The Proliferation and Consolidation of Word Processing Software: 1985-1995". IEEE Annals of the History of Computing. 28 (4): 48–63\. Bibcode:2006IAHC...28d..48T. doi:10.1109/MAHC.2006.77. ISSN 1934-1547. S2CID 20785663.

## External links

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Word processor programs

* List
* Comparison
* of early word processor programs

Open-source|

* AbiWord
* Apache OpenOffice Writer
* Bean (up to v. 2.x)
* Calligra Words
* Collabora Online Writer
* Docs
* GNU TeXmacs
* LibreOffice Writer
* LyX
* Ted
* TextEdit

Freeware|

* Adobe Buzzword
* Atlantis Nova
* Bean (since v. 3.x)
* Jarte (standard)
* TextMaker (2008)

Commercial|

| Cross-platform|

* Adobe InCopy
* Corel WordPerfect (up to v. 9.0)
* Google Docs
* Hangul
* Ichitaro
* Kingsoft Writer
* Microsoft Word
* Scrivener
* TextMaker

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Classic MacOS|

* Nisus Writer

macOS|

* Apple Pages
* Mellel
* Nisus Writer Express
* Nisus Writer Pro

Windows|

* Atlantis Word Processor
* Corel WordPerfect (since v. 10.0)
* IBM Lotus Word Pro
* Jarte (enhanced)
* Microsoft Works
* Nota Bene
* MobiSystems OfficeSuite
* PolyEdit
* Scientific WorkPlace
* XyWrite

Discontinued|

* 1st Word
* Apple Writer
* AppleWorks
* Atari Word Processor
* AtariWriter
* Bank Street Writer
* Cut & Paste
* davka writer
* Electric Pencil
* The First XLEnt Word Processor
* IBM Lotus Symphony
* KWord
* MacWrite
* Magic Desk
* PaperClip
* Perfect Writer
* Scripsit
* SpeedScript
* Sprint
* WordPad
* WordStar
* Writer
* StarOffice
* OpenOffice.org
* Go-oo
* NeoOffice

Hardware|

* AlphaSmart
* CPT Corporation
* Friden Flexowriter
* IBM Displaywriter System
* IBM MT/ST
* Wang

* Category:Word processors

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