From Jan Berinstein, the expert behind Compusavvy:
Even if you have been using Word for a long time, you might not realize how easy it is to remove paragraph and/or font formatting from text. This post highlights a few different methods for stripping formatting, all of which work in recent versions up through and including Word 2016. You can clear paragraph and/or font […]
https://compusavvy.wordpress.com/2015/10/26/clear-paragraph-and-font-formatting-in-word/
If automatic numbering in Microsoft Word drives you nutty, then you need Snapnumbers from the folks at Snapdone.
Snapnumbers is a free Word add-in that allows you to number paragraphs naturally without regard to Word styles or the underlying format of your document.
What does this mean? In the legal profession, we often apply multiple levels of numbering in the same document. We need the flexibility to move from one numbering scheme to the next and back again without Word’s interference. We also expect our numbering schemes to remain sequential. Unfortunately, Word is rarely cooperative with these transitions. In fact, many users end up numbering documents manually out of frustration.
All of this can be avoided as the folks from Snapdone explain:
Simply type text normally — tabbing, indenting, and formatting as desired — then when you want to insert a Snapnumber choose Level 1 through Level 9 from the Snapnumbers menu (or use a shortcut keystroke). [See the examples here.]
The full version of Snapnumbers allows you to easily insert symbols ( ™ © ¶ § and others), create custom numbering schemes, and build an automated table of contents.
My thoughts? Download the free version and give it a trial run. If you like it, the full version at $20 per license is cheap. While you’re at the Snapdone, be sure to check out TheFormTool, Snapdone‘s incredibly easy documentation automation for Word. The basic version is free. The advanced version is $89. To learn more about TheFormTool, check out “Using TheFormTool in Your Law Practice” on the PLF Web site > Programs on CD/DVD.
All Rights Reserved – Beverly Michaelis – 2013
Are you a WordPerfect user in a Word world? Would you rather give a key note address to an audience of strangers than convert a Word document? You are not alone! What appears to be an easy task is actually quite deceiving.
First, let me refer you to Jan Berinstein and her excellent blog. Jan’s tips and tricks will go a long way toward helping. And if you want the definitive guidebook on using Word in the law office, consider Jan’s books: Formatting Legal Documents with Microsoft Word 2007 or Formatting Legal Documents with Microsoft Word 2010. Read more here.
Why does the migration from Word to WordPerfect pose a problem? Isn’t it just a matter of opening your Word document in WordPerfect and wa-la! Off you go? Unfortunately, no.
While we don’t commonly think of Word as using “codes” to control formatting, it most certainly does. And when you open a Word document in WordPerfect you unwittingly inherit Word’s embedded styles and other formatting – which can cause strange results. What should you do?
Setting aside third-party options, the easiest approach is to use WordPad as a bridge to strip out Word’s formatting. The result? A clean, code-free document. In Windows XP, you will find WordPad under your Start Menu > All Programs > Accessories. Here are the steps:
My thanks to Dee Crocker, practice management advisor extraordinaire for the idea.
Copyright 2010 Beverly Michaelis
Oregon Law Practice Management 