Microsoft Word Tips for Lawyers: Three Ways to Make Word Work Better

Microsoft Phrase ideas for attorneys who spend time modifying, formatting and tweaking lengthy paperwork.

Microsoft Phrase Ideas for Legal professionals

Lately in authorized tech, it’s onerous to get a phrase in (pun supposed), until it’s about AI. However the reality is, you’re in all probability nonetheless spending loads of time every single day within the tried-and-trusted instruments you’ve been utilizing for years. Particularly Microsoft Phrase. Let me offer you three fast ideas to assist make Phrase work higher for you, particularly on lengthy paperwork.

First Up: Phrase’s Navigation Pane

In case you’ve bought an enormous doc, getting from place to put in that doc is usually a problem. The Navigation Pane is your resolution. You’ll discover it on the View tab of the ribbon.

While you flip it on, a panel will open on the left aspect of your doc exhibiting you a dynamic desk of contents for the doc. You’ll be able to click on on any heading within the checklist, and Phrase will instantly take you to that a part of the doc. That’s fairly good.

An sudden bonus: You may as well reorganize your doc with the Navigation Pane. Need Part 4 to maneuver above Part 3? Simply drag and drop it within the Navigation Pane, and all the part — textual content and all — will transfer to the brand new location.

Additionally, in the event you used automated numbering, the doc will instantly renumber itself to mirror its new order. Superior.

Additionally to notice: On the high of the Navigation Pane, you’ll discover a search field that allows you to discover (and navigate to) any phrase or phrase within the doc.

I exploit the Navigation Pane so typically that I added it to my Fast Entry Toolbar so I can shortly flip it on in any doc.

Is your Navigation Pane empty?

That’s in all probability since you didn’t use Microsoft’s Types to format your doc’s headings. Phrase builds the Navigation Pane with Heading types. In case you simply formatted your headings with direct formatting … effectively, now you’ve got another excuse to do it correctly utilizing types.

Talking of Phrase Types, Our Second Tip …

The Types Gallery is on the Phrase ribbon as a result of that’s how Microsoft thinks you’ll work with types. However there’s a significantly better means. On the backside proper nook of the Types Gallery, there’s an virtually imperceptible button that most individuals by no means discover. Microsoft calls these little buttons “Dialog Launchers.”

While you click on the launcher within the Types Gallery, one thing virtually magical occurs.

A Types pane opens that offers you speedy entry to your types in a a lot simpler means. By default, the pane is floating over your doc, and you may drag it or resize it as you want.

I like to recommend dragging the pane over to the best aspect of the Phrase window. You then’ll discover that once you get near the sting, it should routinely “snap” to the aspect of the window.

Now you’ll be able to shortly apply or change types in your doc with only a flick of your mouse. And, you’ll be able to shortly see which fashion is utilized to the textual content you’re engaged on proper now (it’s the one within the rectangle).

Bonus tip: Discover the checkbox close to the underside of the Types pane that claims “Present Preview.” Test it, and the Fashion names will probably be formatted with the identical settings because the fashion itself. Not solely is that nicer to take a look at, nevertheless it offers you a clearer thought of how the textual content ought to take care of you apply a given fashion.

If you wish to do extra superior issues with Types, like handle which of them seem or save customized types to your Regular template, buttons on the backside of the Types pane allow you to shortly accomplish that.

My Third Tip: Get ‘Zoomy’ With It

Have you learnt you don’t need to squint at Phrase in your 36-inch monitor? The View tab has zoom controls that allow you to match the textual content to no matter dimension you discover most comfy. So does the standing bar on the backside of the window, for that matter.

In truth, once I use Phrase, I’ve my ribbon collapsed, the Navigation pane (see Tip No. 1) and Types pane (see Tip No. 2) turned on, and my zoom stage set to “Web page Width.” That zooms the textual content in in order that it completely suits the display screen between the 2 highly effective panes on the edges. It’s 20% to 45% bigger, comfy to learn, and nice to work with.

Take a Few Clicks to Make Phrase Work for Your Regulation Apply

You are able to do loads to customise how Phrase appears and feels. You’ll be able to change issues in regards to the structure, flip off belongings you don’t use and even change the colours. Don’t resign your self to residing with the default expertise when, with only a few clicks, you may make it a way more highly effective and pleasing software.

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