You may find in simple text documents, emails, newsgroup messages, etc., words in italics placed between underscores and bold words placed between asterisks (e.g. _this is in italics_, *this is in bold*).

MS Word can convert this automatically to real bold and italic formatting in two ways, as you type, or even afterwards.

Open the Auto Correct properties of Word and configure two, the “AutoFormat as you type” tab, if you type your text right now, and the “AutoFormat” tab, in case you have a text already typed.

Check the relevant bold and italic options, and press OK.

In the “Design” section of Word select the “Auto Format” icon, and enjoy!

Being yourself an author or student you will perhaps appreciate especially this feature, that the very structure of the book will teach you how to work. The book contains even chapters on how to prepare a document for professional publishers such as Amazon. Reading Steven Adams' Writing a book or thesis in Microsoft Word you are surprised realizing it makes you want to work -- to think, write, use Word and be creative!