[P1] Word formatting in Mac, PC

[Jack Rodgers]

On Friday, July 25, 2003, at 10:55  AM, Brian Olesky wrote:

> My partner and I work in separate offices, her on a PC, me on a Mac. We
> frequently work on the same Word documents, sending them back and 
> forth, and
> formatting shifts are a constant problem.
>
> We've solved the "words wandering all over the page" issue by adhering 
> to
> strict rules of proper formatting (e.g. never using the space bar to 
> align
> type, etc.) but one thing we've never solved is the amount of stuff on 
> a
> page.
>
> Her page breaks are always different than mine.

The font leading is different in Windows and Word is not a page layout 
program but a text processor that mimics one. Even on the same 
computer, a document can repaginate and move things about for something 
as simple as replacing an i with a w.

This problem is NOT one of platform incompatibility, although the font 
issues are there and can cause problems, it is one of Word itself. I 
believe Word has methods of LOCKING items to certain areas on a page 
but I am sure you have seen where a simple edit bumps a graphic or 
table onto another page.

Consider using InDesign or other PAGE LAYOUT problem where text blocks 
are fixed and don't get bumped by edits.

Word is a great word processor and I love its outlining features and 
how I can assign styles to outline levels,  but a nightmare if you are 
trying to maintain position of text and graphics. If so, consider a 
page layout program.

This problem of word processor vs page layout program is quite similar 
to that of spreadsheet vs database programs. Each has its advantage but 
often one is better for a specific purpose than the other.

---
10,000 trees may soon die in South Florida...

<http://www.lobatelacscale.com>