font and 'page number' defaults

[Zack]

Hello -

I've just finally upgraded to Office X (v1.4) - my beloved Word 5.1a
was finally getting a bit too buggy running in Classic!

Three questions:

1. How do I set the defaults so that page numbering (first page
different) is automatically turned on? I know the various ways in
which to do this manually, but unlike in Word 5.1 I can find no boxes
which would enable me to set my choices as 'default'.

2. How can I change the default font? I can find no settings in
preferences, I tried modifying 'normal style' to include the font that
I want, but everytime I relaunch Word it reverts back to the original
font, not to my 'modification'.

3. Is it really true that Word ships with almost no default choices
for keyboard commands? I mean, basic stuff like 'command-R' to toggle
the ruler. I realize that I can set up these things myself using the
'customize' command, but it's a bit of a bother to manually recreate
all the standard Word keyboard commands which I'm used to.

Thanks!
Zack

 

[Elliott Roper]

Hello -

I've just finally upgraded to Office X (v1.4) - my beloved Word 5.1a
was finally getting a bit too buggy running in Classic!

You are going to *hate* v.X

Three questions:

1. How do I set the defaults so that page numbering (first page
different) is automatically turned on? I know the various ways in
which to do this manually, but unlike in Word 5.1 I can find no boxes
which would enable me to set my choices as 'default'.

Use templates? Hang on! Mine's set up to default to first page
different. So long ago, I can't remember. (I'll post back with a recipe
if I do remember)

2. How can I change the default font? I can find no settings in
preferences, I tried modifying 'normal style' to include the font that
I want, but everytime I relaunch Word it reverts back to the original
font, not to my 'modification'.

That should have worked. Try this. In preferences->save check prompt to
save normal template. Then change the font of the normal style, then
save the document you had open, then quit Word and see whether Word
thinks you normal template needs saving.

3. Is it really true that Word ships with almost no default choices
for keyboard commands? I mean, basic stuff like 'command-R' to toggle
the ruler. I realize that I can set up these things myself using the
'customize' command, but it's a bit of a bother to manually recreate
all the standard Word keyboard commands which I'm used to.

You are gong to *hate* v.X. Just enough of the shortcuts are similar to
lull you into thinking it is easy. You are going to find the help
infuriating. You will just *lurve* the way customize locks you out of
trying anything till you have dismissed all the sub-sub-sub-panels.

Here are a couple of tips to save your remaining hair.

1. exit sub-panels with 'escapes' from customize keyboard commands
yadda...
2. when looking for a shortcut, and you can't begin to imagine what
misnomer was assigned to which command, don't forget to choose 'all
commands' when things look blackest. You will be amazed at the
arbitrariness with which commands have been assigned to groups.
3. if you can't remember what a shortcut does, choose any old command
in customise..., select the press new shortcut key box, type your
forgotten command, and the line below will tell you what it was.
4. when all else fails, you can print the endless table of shortcuts
and commands (by following these directions from search help, 'print
list shortcut keys')

Print a list of shortcut keys
1. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Macros.
2. On the Macros in pop-up menu, click Word commands.
3. In the Macro name box, click ListCommands.
4. Click Run.
5. In the List Commands dialog box, click Current menu and keyboard
settings, and then click OK.
6. On the File menu, click Print.
Note If you made changes to shortcut key assignments, the changes are
included in the printed list of shortcut keys. Shortcut keys you
assigned to macros are not included.

I kid you not!

What happened to all those delightful half-typed-in font names and
style names?

Oh gawd, I'm getting misty eyed over 5.1a. Are you sure you hate
classic all that much? It has taken me well over a year to get used to
V.x, And to think I went round saying that Word 5 was a bloated mess!

Thanks!
Zack

Come back often, we've all been through the withdrawal pains.
You will get sympathy, if not help.

 

[J.E. McGimpsey]

You are going to *hate* v.X

Need another cup of coffee this morning, Elliott? <g> Not *everyone*
who switches hates it. I developed a nostalgia for 5.1a the first
time it took two and a half minutes to boot Word 6. But I'm over
that, now...(kind of).

I also remember the pulling of hair and gnashing of teeth that came
when I was teaching people how to use 5.1 - it was so difficult
compared to Word 2!

Granted, it's always difficult to change from a tool you know
thorougly, and one should do so only when there's a compelling
reason. Sounds like the OP's reason is compelling, so best get on
with it...

4. when all else fails, you can print the endless table of shortcuts
and commands (by following these directions from search help, 'print
list shortcut keys')

Note that you can also choose Tools/Macro/Macros... and type in
"ListCommands" (without quotes), then click Run.

And to think I went round saying that Word 5 was a bloated mess!

Should also point the OP to Clive's "Bending Word to Your Will...":

http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/WordMac/Bend/BendWord.htm

It's the single best source for those transitioning to Word
98/01/v.X that I've seen.

There's a lot of tips for unbloating those versions.

 

[Elliott Roper]

Need another cup of coffee this morning, Elliott? <g> Not *everyone*
who switches hates it. I developed a nostalgia for 5.1a the first
time it took two and a half minutes to boot Word 6. But I'm over
that, now...(kind of).

I also remember the pulling of hair and gnashing of teeth that came
when I was teaching people how to use 5.1 - it was so difficult
compared to Word 2!

Granted, it's always difficult to change from a tool you know
thorougly, and one should do so only when there's a compelling
reason. Sounds like the OP's reason is compelling, so best get on
with it...

I hope I dealt it out with a light touch ;-)

I have to admit that v.X is a most useful tool, and although there is
not much it can do that I want it to do, that 5.1 can't, I need it to
deal with my PC totin' colleagues. I'll also be the first to admit that
OS X and v.X more than makes up for the lost productivity while I
transitioned away from 5 and OS 9.

Should also point the OP to Clive's "Bending Word to Your Will...":

http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/WordMac/Bend/BendWord.htm

It's the single best source for those transitioning to Word
98/01/v.X that I've seen.

You hear that Zack? J.E. is spot on. Clive and his "Bend.." are stars.
Even if he spells pilcro with a 'w'