Indenting in Word 2004

[AlumniJohn]

When I "select" all in a Word text file and do a .25" indent
throughout on my work machine, the formatting does not hold the indent
on a delete-key backspace: The cursor backspaces to the margin first,
THEN up to the next line. At home, the same scenario requires only one
keystroke for the desired effect: The cursor recognizes the indent,
leaves it there, and jumps up the line. I do lots of long-file copy
editing, so it adds up. Help desk and I have already copied all
possible pref files from home machine to work machine with no luck.
Other ideas? Thanks!

 

[Clive Huggan]

Hello John,

"Other ideas?" Here's one -- if you do lots of copy-editing, you'll save
*heaps* of time by avoiding manual formatting altogether and instead using
the power of Word's styles. I save 20% of the time I would otherwise take
if I did not use styles; for a copy-editor it's about 10%. Carefully timed
comparisons of copy-editing of manually formatted text vs text converted to
styles then copy-edited (including the time taken to convert to styles)
invariably shows the latter to be quicker.

If you detect some rabid enthusiasm there, you're right -- Word is a
completely styles-based beast, and using it as a typewriter is appropriate
only for very short documents written by, er, amateurs. ;-)

Check out Word's Help, and/or take a look at some notes on the way I use
Word for the Mac, titled "Bend Word to Your Will", which are available as a
free download from the Word MVPs' website
(http://word.mvps.org/Mac/Bend/BendWordToYourWill.html). Especially look at
'Styles and templates ‹ the keys to consistency and saving time', starting
on page 88. Follow the guidance for creating unique styles and you'll
*never* have any differences such as you are experiencing, no matter what
the operating system or Word version.

Cheers,

Clive Huggan
Canberra, Australia
(My time zone is 5-11 hours different from North America and Europe, so my
follow-on responses to those regions can be delayed)
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[CyberTaz]

I firmly support what Clive had to offer - far better approach But more to
the point of the question... On the problem Mac have you looked at Word>
Preferences> Edit for the Tabs & Backspace Set Left Indent checkbox?

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Clive Huggan]

Um, was I maundering, Bob? ;-)

CH
===

I firmly support what Clive had to offer - far better approach But more to
the point of the question... On the problem Mac have you looked at Word>
Preferences> Edit for the Tabs & Backspace Set Left Indent checkbox?

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[CyberTaz]

Not in the slightest - accurate & specific as usual;-) Just had to stick my
nose in... The setting may not even be relevant as the OP mentioned
something about having copied "all possible prefs" from one Mac to another.

[OT]: How was your trip?

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac