So.. having just downloaded the trial VSD I'm playing with it, but can't seem to do.. well.. anything- the website help keeps telling me to go to the format dropdown menu, but there isn't one.

Is this a trial thing- like- you don't get to format anything until you purchase, or am I being stupid?

Hi random,
the trial version is fully functional as is the registered version.
is there anything specific we can help you with?

Well- I'm confused- I was just trying to alter font colours and size, and the website said to go to the format drop menu thing- and showed a picture- but when i returned to the program, it was nowhere to be found.

The help article clearly shows a format menu next to tools, but i have a publish one- and no format to be seen....

I haven't heard of the format menu, but I think that might be the icons across the top of the VSD workspace. If you have something active on your page - such as a text box - click the Object icon and you'll get your font/size/justify/color options. You'll also see Icons for effects, color fills, page properties...
Whenever you click on something on your page (shape, photo, text), click the Object icon to get your options for that item.
Have fun with it