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Subject:Re: Developing 150-page docs in MS Word XP From:robbie -at- urbangrounds -dot- com To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com Date:Thu, 19 Feb 2004 08:59:30 -0700
I have extensive experience (mostly trial by fire/error born out of
necessity) creating and maintaining large documents with MS Word (to
include MS 2000 and XP).
I have created large technical documents (1000+ pages), replete with
numerous graphics, large tables, and auto-generated tables and indices
with MS Word. Without the use of the useless Master page functionality.
The key to successfully using MS Word for these types of extremely large
documents is careful planning and preparation. Create a new template with
custom styles for every type of formatting called for in your
document?especially for lists (bulleted and numbering). And then adhere to
these styles fanatically. Do not ever?ever use manual formatting to
override a custom style. Especially in your auto-numbering styles.
Always import images using the Insert/Picture/From File command; DO NOT
paste images into your docs.
Carefully plan and use Section breaks to control page numbering and
headers/footers for distinct sections.
To import Excel data that does not need to change or will not be
dynamically updated?the data simply needs to be ported into an MS Word
table within your document?use the method mentioned earlier (Copy the
Excel spreadsheet, then use Edit/Paste Special/Formatted Text (RTF)
functionality. You can then edit the table (data, cells, row, columns,
etc) just like any other MS Word table.
Lastly, do not be afraid. But be careful and diligent and MS Word really
can be made to do what many say it can?t won?t.
