Using the Thesaurus with the Applications Key is similar in Word and in OpenOffice Writer. The following may not work quite the same in all word processors, therefore, you will need to experiment with your key commands to determine what works in your case. In Word 2013 Shift F7 brings up the thesaurus--when the thesaurus comes up if will then act like it does if you use the Applications Key to bring it up. For this reason, only the Applications Key method for opening and working with the thesaurus will be covered in this lesson. Do the following to learn and practice this skill. You will need to Alt Tab between your document and this lesson.
1. Open your word processor.
2. Type the words "car plane boat" (without the quotes).
3. Tap the Home key to move to the beginning of the line. Your cursor is on the word "car."
4. Tap the Applications key one time.
5. Down arrow to the "Synonyms" menu item.
6. Right arrow one time.
7. Down arrow until you hear or see the "Thesaurus" menu item.
8. Tap the Enter key one time. The Thesaurus will appear on the right side of the Word document, and generally in the middle of the OpenOffice Writer document. You will be placed in an edit box with the word you are on highlighted.
9. Tab past the "Search" (looks like a small magnifier icon/button), to the list of words.
10. Down arrow to the word you want to use.
11. Tap the Applications Key one time and a two item menu appears. You should be automatically on the "Inset" menu item. If not, up or down arrow to "Insert."
12. Tap the Enter key one time and the word you selected will replace the original word.
13. Press and hold down the Control Key and tap the right arrow one time to move to the next word "plane."
14. Tap the Applications Key one time.
15. Down arrow to Synonyms.
16. Tap the right arrow one time.
17. Down arrow to Thesaurus.
18. Tap Enter one time.
19. Tap F6 one time.
20. Tab to the list of words.
21. Down arrow to the word you want to use.
22. Tap the Applications Key one time.
23. Down or up arrow to the "Inset" menu item.
24. Tap the Enter key one time.
25. Press and hold down the Control Key and tap the right arrow key one time to move to the word "boat."
26. Tap the Applications Key one time.
27. Down arrow to Synonyms.
28. Right arrow one time.
29. Down arrow to Thesaurus.
30. Tap the Enter key one time.
31. Tap the F6 key one time.
32. Tap to the list of words.
33. Down arrow to the word you want.
34. Tap the Applications key one time.
35. Move to the "Insert" menu item.
36. Tap the Enter key one time.