Clark's Word TRIX

The following is a series of advanced MS Word features that be used to create more sophisticated documents.  (Many of the images contain hotspots that connect with other parts of this document.)

With all the email virus scares I've changed my philosophy about running with Word macro enabled all the time.  I currently recommend setting the security level to Medium (Tools > Macro > Security...).  (So far I'm not convinced a virus scanner helps any more than this for me.)

This change will require answering the Enable/Disable Macro Dialog each time a document is opened which can be a hassle.  

It's not a problem to select "Disable Macros".  Nothing bad should happen even if the Macros are needed to make the document perform properly.  Once the visual contents have been verified then the macros can be enabled.

The Macro Security dialog also permits installed add-ins and templates as well as "signed" documents to trusted.  

Macros that are used all the time should be installed or digitally signed.  An electronic certificate is required to digitally sign macros. {I'll look into getting a certificate and add the procedure here.}

The current templates and Add-ins can be displayed using the command Tools > Templates and Add-Ins...

The Document Properties (File > Properties) provide statistical as well as meta-data information.  Most people probably don't use these fields.  I find them very help when creating template documents that will be used for several different projects where the project specific information will be imbedded within the document many times.  By using these fields and other "Custom" most repetitive information can be stored so that the typical search and replace tasks can be eliminated.  (see the Custom Tab) 

Within Explore (for Windows 98 & 2000?) the document properties will be displayed whenever the user hovers over the file. (Hold the mouse above the item for a few seconds.)

The Properties Dialog (similar to above) will also appear if you display the file properties (Right mouse > Properties).  

The Insert Field command (Insert > Field...) can be used to insert dynamic information into the Word Document.  Typical field to be used include the number of pages in the entire document, the document name, the document path, the saved date or the print date.  These are typically used in the header or footer to indicate extraneous information.  Several additional fields are available that improve document automation and consistency.

NOTE: Special attention should be given to so-called field information that should be static.  Fielded information should not be relied upon for absolute document identification.  For instance, the field "print date" on a memo can change every time the memo is printed. (This will depend upon how the Tools >  Options > Print Tab > Update Fields parameter is set.

NOTE: Command F9 toggles Show Field, Command Shift F9 Updates a Field, Parameter Tools >  Options > View Tab > Show > Field Codes is used to show all fields.

Fields also have Optional settings.  The Field Options set specific formatting or provide additional characteristics of a field such as the complete path for the Saved File Name.

The Field INFO is directly related to document properties.  Most of the Info Type can also be specified as a Fields.

The DocProperty field can also be used to display "Custom" values.

The Date-Time picture formats date related fields.  Other formats can also be specified using the symbols shown in the list.

The "Title" field from Document Properties has been inserted into the document into the Title style (in this case 'Overview'.)

Openbook - Show the Page Layout Dialog

Feedback loop (gray) - Same as Previous - When working with multiple sections this will unite headers and footers that have been altered across the section breaks. 

Directions - Switch, Previous, Next - Move to another area

To create objects that appear on every page that are beyond the normal border of the header and footer additional objects can be inserted.  First view the header or footer.  The object will be part of the current area even though it will be outside of the border.  

 In this example a text box has been insert.  The orientation of the text has been changed along with the color of the background and text. 

 This method is also used to create watermarks.  The intensity of the watermark can be controlled by the color, depth and other settings of the mark.

Use the Insert > Break command to create a new section. 

NOTE: Sections should not typically be used for unsubstantiated reasons. Only create new sections when necessary such as to change the orientation of the page within the document.

The Page Setup > Layout Tab also controls Sections.

The Header and Footers parameters control the number of different areas that will be used in the section.  Each area can be associated with the preceding section so that consistency can be achieved without manual effort to synchronize the areas.