Time-saving formatting tricks for Microsoft Word power users

Advanced FormattingIf you work in Microsoft Word, formatting is critical to help get your ideas across and improve the readability of your projects. While even novice users utilize formatting options, more experienced Microsoft Word users can take advantage of a range of advanced formatting options.

Advanced formatting allows you to do unique things in your word documents to ensure that your work stands out from the crowd more efficiently than ever before.

What’s more, advanced formatting is one of my favorite ways to save time with Microsoft Word formatting. By using advanced formatting, you can make sure that your documents are still coming out as professional and pulled-together as they’ve always been, even though you’re not spending as much time working on them.

Today, I’m going to introduce you to some of my favorite advanced formatting ideas, and teach you how to use them in your own documents.

Advanced Formatting Ideas for You

Some of my favorite advanced formatting ideas are as follows:

1. Copy defaults

If you copy and paste a piece of content from another source, Word will not format it by default. You can easily encourage your copied text to adhere to default formatting, however, via the following:

  • Copy your content to the Clipboard
  • From there, navigate to the “Home” tab and choose the “Keep Text Only” option.
  • Select “OK”

Ideal for saving yourself time on formatting, copy defaults are a useful tool you’ll soon grow to love.

2. Create non-breaking space

If you’re typing a word doc, but the spacing is such that an important word (your product’s name, for example) keeps being broken up over two lines, use advanced formatting to get rid of the unwanted line break.

To do this, highlight the two words you want to keep together and press Ctrl + Shift + space. This will create a non-breaking space that holds the words together and prevents troublesome line breaks from coming between them.

3. Use AutoCorrect to make some words always the same

Advanced FormattingSick of stopping to capitalize or italicize a company or book name that you write about often? Use AutoCorrect to do it for you.

To make this happen, select the text and then select the AutoCorrect box from the File menu, by clicking File > Options > Proofreading > AutoCorrect Options, or just Tools > AutoCorrect on a Mac. From there, add your shortcode and click “Ok” or “Add.” From now on, AutoCorrect will format the word or phrase correctly every time you type it.

4. Use placeholders for simple formatting

To keep your documents formatted effortlessly and ensure that all your documents look clean and professional, use placeholder material to set up the structure of your document before you plug your actual text in.

To do this, use this code: decide how many lines per paragraph (y) and the number of lines per paragraph (x) you want. Input the code =rand(x,y) and press enter.

Advanced Formatting for Advanced Documents

Not all word docs have to look the same. With these simple advanced formatting tips and tricks, you can quickly and easily overhaul all your word documents to reflect your unique style. Whether you’re creating documents for work, your business or networking, advanced formatting is a great way to remove much of the time associated with word processing, and ensure that you’re putting your best face forward, every time.

Need more help?  Take a look at DWC’s Microsoft Word classes available for all skill levels.

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