Microsoft Works contains several interesting performance support features. The following screen shot shows the envelope printing wizard. The design of this dialog combines the advantages of a tabbed dialog for rapid data entry with a wizard like capacity to step through the process of preparing and printing an envelop.

In wizard mode the system presents a check list of the steps for preparing an envelope. When you click the Next button, the system shows the next tab in the process. After entering an selecting the data on that tab panel, the Next button will return to this panel. A check mark appears beside the just completed step. Clicking Next again will take you to the next step in the process.

The screen design also accommodates the needs of advance users, by enabling them to directly access the data entry panels they need to prepare an envelope.

Works also has an embedded help window. The window can be opened or closed by clicking a button at the bottom of the help window. Sometimes the content of the help window will automatically change to match a selected command. The following screens show the help topics for creating an envelope. These topics automatically appear in the help window when a user selects the envelope menu command. The help information includes both step by step directions and related support information and demonstrations.

Microsoft Works also includes a feature that helps a first-time user learn about using the functions of the program. These First-time Help windows appear when a users selects certain menu items for the first time. The following screen shows the First-time Help window for the envelope command.