How to use Word in technical writing projects

[Bob F]

Does anyone know of any books, articles, etc, on how to use Word with writing long technical documents. Lots of books on Word but have not found much on this general topic. Things like explaining how and maybe how not to create TOC's, indexes, cross-references, etc, how to use bookmarks to your best advantage, how to plan and execute long documents. Kind of a combination of a Word specific book with all the Word specific information, and all the info that a techncial writer with years of experience who is leaning over your shoulder and answering questions as you write and can give you advice based on all that knowledge of how to and not to do things in technical documents. I have come across books that explain Word very well and books that explain style and grammar, but not exactly what I am looking for. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

-Bob

 

[Shauna Kelly]

Hi Bob

First, start with
Creating a Template - The Basics (Part I)
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/Customization/CreateATemplatePart1.htm

and

Creating a Template (Part II)
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/Customization/CreateATemplatePart2.htm

The second of those was written by an experienced technical writer. It's
long and complex, so it may be worth taking in a bit at a time.

Second, look around www.word.mvps.org, especially at the parts of the FAQ on
formatting.

Finally, there are some articles at www.shaunakelly.com/word that might be
useful, including pages on TOCs and numbering.


Hope this helps.

Shauna Kelly. Microsoft MVP.
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word

Does anyone know of any books, articles, etc, on how to use Word with

writing long technical documents. Lots of books on Word but have not found
much on this general topic. Things like explaining how and maybe how not to
create TOC's, indexes, cross-references, etc, how to use bookmarks to your
best advantage, how to plan and execute long documents. Kind of a
combination of a Word specific book with all the Word specific information,
and all the info that a techncial writer with years of experience who is
leaning over your shoulder and answering questions as you write and can give
you advice based on all that knowledge of how to and not to do things in
technical documents. I have come across books that explain Word very well
and books that explain style and grammar, but not exactly what I am looking
for. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Joel Konkle-Parker]

On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 10:32:02 -0700, "Bob F" <Bob

Does anyone know of any books, articles, etc, on how to use Word with writing long technical documents. Lots of books on Word but have not found much on this general topic. Things like explaining how and maybe how not to create TOC's, indexes, cross-references, etc, how to use bookmarks to your best advantage, how to plan and execute long documents. Kind of a combination of a Word specific book with all the Word specific information, and all the info that a techncial writer with years of experience who is leaning over your shoulder and answering questions as you write and can give you advice based on all that knowledge of how to and not to do things in technical documents. I have come across books that explain Word very well and books that explain style and grammar, but not exactly what I am looking for. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

Consider subscribing to the TECHWR-L mailing list
<http://raycomm.com/techwhirl/index.php3>. The people on there are
quite helpful, and would probably be able to help you with specific
questions. Check the archives for answers to your previous question.

- Joel

 

[Rob Schneider]

When I and my organisation was very active in technical writing, we
really valued and enjoyed using Doc-to-Help to provide the templates and
structure; especially elements conducive to technical writing, e.g.
glossary, easy cross referencing, easy technical tools, etc. The
ability to publish to multiple formats (Help, paper, web, etc.) was an
added bonus. At the time it was from Wextech, and now it's from
Component One. Check it out.

Hope this is useful to you. Let us know.

rms