White Paper Project 4 Engl317

Document Program
Usability Test
Microsoft Word and Google Docs
Autumn Rane
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Methodology 3
Tasks3
Test Environment 3
Metrics 3
Evaluative Criteria 3
Results 4
Task 1 4
Task 2 5
Task 3 6
Task 4 7
Task 5 7-8
Task 6 8-9
Task 7 9
Task 8 10
Task 9 11
Task 10 11-12
Grand Total 12
Conclusion and Recommendations 12
Bibliography 13
Appendix 14-23
2
Introduction
Microsoft Word and Google Docs are both writing programs used by people intending to create
documents of many different types. Writers, students, educators, and anyone hoping to create a
document can use Microsoft Word or Google Docs. This white paper outlines and documents a
usability test of both Microsoft Word and Google Docs. The usability test consists of ten tasks
that are basic functions of both programs. Each task is a simple task, and the usability test was
designed for someone with little to no experience with these programs. Each task was then
graded with a metric of a six-point Likert scale.
Methodology
Tasks
1. Create a table of contents
2. Wrap text around a picture
3. Create labels
4. Convert document to a PDF
5. Insert chart
6. Add watermarks
7. Search and use find and replace
8. Add a bibliography
9. Insert footnotes
10. Start page numbers later in a document
Test Environment
This test was done in my apartment using a Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 with the latest version of the
Microsoft edge browser. My laptop runs Windows 11 version 23H2. I was in a quiet and calm
environment with no distractions, increasing my ability to conduct the usability tests.
Metrics
Effective: Was the task able to be completed?
Efficient: Did the task take a reasonable amount of time to complete?
Engaging: Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete?
Error Tolerant: Were there errors while completing the task?
Easy to Learn: Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it?
Evaluative Criteria
Each metric will be evaluated using the following Likert scale. The number chosen represents the
score each metric received, and a higher score represents doing better on the task. Each metric
will be evaluated using a six-point scale, meaning a total of 30 points can be received per task,
and a total score of 300 points for each program can be achieved.
3
Results
Task 1: Create a Table of Contents
Microsoft Word
This task was easy and efficient to

complete. Overall, it only took three
‘clicks’ to complete this task. After creating
a blank document, utilizing the search bar
was very helpful. I typed in “Table of
Contents” into the search bar which
offered several different options to create.
The only “error” I encountered was
differentiating between a manual vs. an
automatic table of contents. I wanted to
create a blank table of contents that could be filled in as I created a document, and this meant I needed
to choose the manual table of contents option. Once I chose the manual option, a blank table of
contents appeared on the page, and the task was completed.
Score: 29/30
Google Docs
The essential idea of completing this task

was easy to figure out and the task would
hypothetically be easy to complete. I
encountered a problem with actually
creating the table of contents on Google
Docs. After creating a blank document, I
typed “Table of Contents” into the search
bar. A few options then popped up, and
after choosing one it was apparent that a
table of contents could only be created with text that was already on the page. Overall, the task would
be able to be completed easily and without error if there was text on the page, but creating a blank table
of contents that can then be edited later is not possible within the Google Docs program.
Score: 26/30
Creating a Table of Contents
Task 2: Wrap Text Around a Picture
6
Microsoft Word
4
This task was very easy to
2
complete. After inserting a picture
into a document, it only took two 0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
‘clicks’ to wrap text around the Tolerant Learn
picture. It was very easy to tell Microsoft Word Google Docs
where the right button was, and
there were several options to
4
choose from. Each icon under the wrap text feature showed a little preview of what the image would
look like wrapped around the text using each different feature. This was very helpful and efficient to
guide me in which option to choose. After picking an option, I could easily resize and move the picture
according to how I wanted it on the page. Overall, this task was efficient and engaging.
Score: 30/30
Google Docs:
This task was a little bit more

intuitive to complete. After
inserting a picture into the
document, I right clicked on the
image to show a list of options.
The wrap text feature was not
obvious, and there were less
options than on Microsoft Word.
The icons did not show what the
image would look like with each
different feature, which required me to click on each option to show a preview of what the image would
look like. After choosing an option, it was easy to manipulate and move the image around the text.
Overall, this task was a little more intuitive to complete, but it could ultimately be completed.
Score: 29/30
Wrap Text Around a Picture

6
0
Tolerant Learn
Microsoft Word Google Docs
Task 3: Create Labels

Microsoft Word
This task was easy and efficient to

complete. After utilizing the search bar to
search for labels, it only took a couple
‘clicks’ to complete the task. The only
issue I found was in order to create labels,
there must be text on the page in the
form of labels to create them. It was not
possible to complete the task without
having text already on the page, but it
was clear that had there been text on the
5
page, the task would have been easy to complete. Overall, the steps to complete the task were minimal
and easy to complete.
Score: 28/30
Google Docs
This task was unsuccessful using Google

Docs. I tried to utilize the search bar to
search for labels within Google Docs, but
there was not an option to create labels. I
think that if there was text on the page in
the form of labels it may be possible to
print labels using specialized settings on a
printer, but within the actual program
there is not an option to create labels.
Overall, the task could not be completed
and was not effective.
Score: 5/30
Create Labels
6
0
Tolerant Learn
Task 4: Convert Document to a PDF

Microsoft Word
This task was arguably the easiest and most

efficient task to complete. After navigating to
the ‘File’ tab in the top left corner of the
document, I clicked on the ‘Save As’ tab. This
brought me to a page where I could choose
what form of document I wanted to save as. It
took two ‘clicks’ overall to complete this task,
and it was very user-friendly and easy to
navigate.
Score: 30/30
6
Google Docs
This task was also very easy and efficient to

complete within Google Docs. After navigating to
the ‘File’ tab, I clicked ‘Download’ and then a list
of document forms came up. It was very clear
where the option to download the document as
a different form was. Overall, it took two ‘clicks’
to complete this task, and it took very little time
and effort to complete.
Score: 30/30
Convert to PDF
6
0
Tolerant Learn
Task 5: Insert a Chart

Microsoft Word
This task was easy and efficient to complete.

Using the search bar was very helpful for this
task. After searching for ‘chart’ in the search
bar, it took two ‘clicks’ to add a chart to the
document. After the chart was inserted, the
ability to edit and manipulate the chart was
very easy to do and took very little effort.
Overall, this task was intuitive and engaging to
complete.
Score: 30/30
Google Docs
For the most part this task was easy and efficient
to complete. I navigated to the insert tab in the
7
top left corner of the page and clicked on chart to insert the chart. The task of adding a chart to the
document was very effective and easy to complete. The task of manipulating and editing the chart was a
little more intuitive and took more effort to complete. It became clear that the only way to edit the chart
would be to leave the program and enter Google Sheets in order to manipulate the chart. The overall
task of simply adding a chart to the document was very easy, but editing or changing the chart would
add extra steps and effort.
Insert Chart
Score: 29/30 6.5
6
Task 6: Add watermarks 5.5
Microsoft Word 5
4.5
nt ve in
g nt ar
n
This task was also one of the easier tasks to complete within cie cti g e ra Le
Effi ffe nga To
l o
Microsoft Word. I utilized the search bar at the top of the page to E E r s yt
ro Ea
search ‘Insert Watermark. I hovered Er
over the insert watermark option and Microsoft Word Google Docs
several different options popped up.
There were several different types of
watermarks to choose from. All it took
was one ‘click’ to then add a
watermark successfully to the
document. Overall, this task was easy
and efficient to complete.
Score: 30/30
Google Docs
This task was a little bit harder to

complete within Google Docs compared
to Microsoft Word. After utilizing the
search option in the upper left corner of
the page, the option to insert a
watermark could be chosen. After
choosing to insert a watermark, a
diagram pops up on the right side of the
page. There were more options for
watermarks than there were in Microsoft
Word. There was an option to add a photo, or just text. The only slight issue I encountered was that the
watermark is not automatic. Instead, you must add the text that you want to show up as the watermark.
Overall, the task was effective and intuitive, it just took a little bit more effort to complete.
8
Score: 28/30
Insert Watermark
Task 7: Search and Use Find and Replace 6.5
Microsoft Word 6
5.5
This task was very easy and effective. Utilizing the
5
search bar to search ‘Find and Replace’ was really 4.5
the only step to completing this task. After searching Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
for the find and replace feature, the only thing left
to do is search for a specific word or phrase within Microsoft Word Google Docs
the document. This task was very intuitive, effective,
and took very little effort or time to complete.
Score: 30/30
Google Docs
This task was very similar in Google Docs as it was

in Microsoft Word. The search bar in the upper left
corner of the page was useful to search for the
find and replace feature within the program. After
searching for this feature, the only step was to
simply search for a word or phrase within the
document. Ultimately, this task was easy and
effective and took very little effort to complete.
Score: 30/30
Task 8: Add a Bibliography

Microsoft Word Find and Replace
8
This task would possible if there were sources already in the 6
document, but it was not necessarily competed in full. After 4
using the search bar to find the option to insert a bibliography, a 2
0
pop up with different options for a bibliography appeared. This Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
pop up outlined how to add the citations and would essentially
create a bibliography after inputting sources. Overall, this task Microsoft Word Google Docs
took little effort but was not necessarily
completed.
Score: 27/30
Google Docs
I encountered the same issue with Google Docs

as I did with Microsoft Word. After using the
search bar to search for a bibliography, the option
9
to insert citations popped up. A pop up appeared on the right-side document. In the pop up there was
then the option to add a citation source. This task could hypothetically be completed if there were
sources to be added to the document. This task was easy to complete and did not take much effort to
complete, but the task could only be completed if there were sources to be added.
Score: 27/30
Bibliography
6
0
Tolerant Learn
Task 9: Insert Footnotes

Microsoft Word
This task was very easy and took very little effort to complete. I used the search bar to search for ‘Insert
Footnotes’ and the option to insert a footnote popped up. It only took one ‘click’ to insert a footnote. It
was very easy to then add notes to the footnote and create several different footnotes. Overall, this task
was efficient and effective.
Score: 30/30
Google Docs
This task was almost exactly the same in

Google Docs as it was in Microsoft Word.
After searching for ‘Insert Footnotes’ in
the search bar in the upper left corner of
the page, the option to insert a footnote
10
pops up. It takes one ‘click’ to add footnotes to the document. It was very easy to add notes to the
footnotes section or to add several different footnotes. Ultimately, this task took very little effort and
time to complete.
Score: 30/30 Insert Footnotes

Task 10: Start Page Numbers Later in a Document 6
Microsoft Word
4
This task took a little more effort than the other tasks 2
described earlier. Once navigating to the ‘Insert’ tab at the
0
top of the page, it is a little difficult to find the Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
‘insert page number’ option. Once page
numbers have been added, a little checkbox Microsoft Word Google Docs
pops up that says, ‘Different First Page’. This
takes the page number away from the first
page but keeps them on the rest of the pages.
Overall, this task was fairly easy to complete
but less intuitive and took more time and
effort to complete.
Score: 27/30
Google Docs
This task was more intuitive than the tasks

described earlier. After navigating to the
‘Insert’ tab there is an option to add page
numbers. Under the page number tab, there
is a button that says ‘More options. Under
the ‘More options’ tab, there is the option
to start page numbers on a page different
than the first. This task took a little bit more
time to complete as there were more steps
involved, but overall, this task was engaging
and effective.
Score: 27/30 Page Number on Different

Page
8
Grand Total 6
Microsoft Word: 291/300 4
2
Google Docs: 261/300 0
Tolerant Learn
Conclusion and Recommendations
Microsoft Word and Google Docs are comparable programs. Microsoft Word Google Docs
Most every task could be completed with very little effort and was intuitive to learn. I would recommend
11
Microsoft Word over Google Docs. After completing this usability test, I have found that Microsoft has
more capabilities than Google Docs, and Word is more user friendly than Docs. Both programs were very
easy to navigate, and the search bar was very helpful when completing tasks within the programs. I
would recommend adding more capabilities to Google Docs so that more tasks can be completed using
that program. Specifically, I would recommend using Microsoft Word when writing a white paper due to
its efficiency and ease when completing tasks. Word also has a wider capability and would be more
useful to write longer, more technical papers such as a white paper.
Bibliography
Microsoft Word: Microsoft Word 2023 (Computer Program)
Google Docs: Google Docs 2023 (Computer Program)
12
Appendix
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 1 Create a table of contents Create a table of contents
ficient Did the task take a reasonable amount of time to complete? Did the task take a reasonable amount of time to complete?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
fective Was the task able to be completed? Was the task able to be completed?
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
gaging Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete? Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete?
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
ror Were there no errors while completing the task? Were there no errors while completing the task?
lerant
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
13
ASK 1 Create a table of contents Create a table of contents
sy to Learn Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it? Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it?
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional Overall, the task was easy to complete. The only problem I The task was easy to figure out how to do but wasn’t exactly
otes noticed was when picking the table of contents, if you want to completed. The table of contents can only be created if there
have a “blank slate” you have to choose the manual option. are prior words and headings on the page. Overall, it was eas
The automatic table of contents won’t work unless there are to find the search bar and search for the table of contents to
already headings and text on the paper. insert it, but it does not necessarily create a table of contents
with just a few clicks.
Score: 29/30
Score: 26/30

ASK 2 Wrap text around a picture Wrap text around a picture
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
lerant
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
14
ASK 2 Wrap text around a picture Wrap text around a picture
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was very easy to complete. It took only a couple of For the most part this task was easy to complete. The only
otes clicks to wrap the text around a picture. It was obvious with downside was it was slightly difficult to find the button to
labels that explained which type of text wrapping was relevant wrap the text. It was a small button and there weren’t as man
for the situation. options compared to Microsoft Word for wrapping the text,
but it was still able to be completed.
Score: 30/30
Score: 29/30

ASK 3 Create labels Create labels
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
lerant
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was easy to complete. The only slight issue was the There is not an option to create labels specifically within
otes labels need text on the page to be created, but it is clear that Google Docs. I’m sure you would be able to print a documen
the task would be able to be completed if there were words to from Google Docs and change the settings on the printer, bu
15
ASK 3 Create labels Create labels
fill the labels. not within Google Docs itself.
Score: 28/30 Score: 5/30

ASK 4 Convert a document to a PDF Convert a document to a PDF
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
lerant
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional It took two clicks to complete this task. It is very obvious how This task was very easy to complete. It was very easy to find
otes to save as a pdf. where to save as a pdf.
16
ASK 5 Insert chart Insert chart
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
lerant
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was very easy to complete. The search bar is very This task was easily completed as it only takes two clicks to
otes useful as it takes two clicks after searching “chart” to insert a insert a chart. The only problem is that the only way to
chart, and it is easy to manipulate after inserting it into the manipulate or edit the chart is in google sheets instead of in
document. the document itself which adds extra steps.
17
ASK 6 Add watermarks Add watermarks
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
lerant
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was very easy to complete. The search bar makes it This task was a little more difficult to complete as it took a
otes very easy to add a watermark with only one click. few more steps. Instead of automatically adding a watermark
you must choose what the watermark will be and manually
Score: 30/30 type it in to add it. Overall, the task was completed, but with
little more time.
Score: 28/30

ASK 7 Search and use find and replace Search and use find and replace
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
18
ASK 7 Search and use find and replace Search and use find and replace
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
lerant
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task took only the search bar to find the replace feature This task took only the search bar to find the replace feature
otes and was easy to complete. and was easy to complete.

ASK 8 Add a bibliography Add a bibliography
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
19
ASK 8 Add a bibliography Add a bibliography
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
lerant
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was easy to find the components to complete it, but This task was easy to find the components to complete it, bu
otes not necessarily easy to complete unless there are sources to not necessarily easy to complete unless there are sources to
add to the document. add to the document.

ASK 9 Insert footnotes Insert footnotes
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
20
ASK 9 Insert footnotes Insert footnotes
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
lerant
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was very easily completed. It only took one click to This task was very easily completed. It only took one click t
otes insert a footnote and edit it. insert a footnote and edit it.

ASK 10 Start page numbers later in a document Start page numbers later in a document
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
lerant
21
ASK 10 Start page numbers later in a document Start page numbers later in a document
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was easy to complete, but it took a little bit more The option to start the page number on a page different than
otes time. The option to start the page number on a page different the first was slightly difficult to find as it is under “more
from the first is a small little checkbox so it is slightly difficult options” in the page number insert tab. It was still able to be
to find but can be done. completed easily, just with a few more steps.
22

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Document Program

This task was easy and efficient to

The essential idea of completing this task

This task was a little bit more

Wrap Text Around a Picture

Microsoft Word Google Docs

Task 3: Create Labels

This task was easy and efficient to

This task was unsuccessful using Google

Microsoft Word Google Docs

Task 4: Convert Document to a PDF

This task was arguably the easiest and most

This task was also very easy and efficient to

Microsoft Word Google Docs

Task 5: Insert a Chart

This task was easy and efficient to complete.

This task was a little bit harder to

This task was very similar in Google Docs as it was

Task 8: Add a Bibliography

I encountered the same issue with Google Docs

Microsoft Word Google Docs

Task 9: Insert Footnotes

This task was almost exactly the same in

Score: 30/30 Insert Footnotes

This task was more intuitive than the tasks

Score: 27/30 Page Number on Different

Google Docs: Google Docs 2023 (Computer Program)

sks Microsoft Word Google Docs

sks Microsoft Word Google Docs

Score: 28/30 Score: 5/30

sks Microsoft Word Google Docs

Score: 30/30 Score: 30/30

Score: 30/30 Score: 29/30

sks Microsoft Word Google Docs

Score: 30/30 Score: 30/30

sks Microsoft Word Google Docs

Score: 27/30 Score: 27/30

sks Microsoft Word Google Docs

Score: 30/30 Score: 30/30

sks Microsoft Word Google Docs

Score: 27/30 Score: 27/30

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