How do you use advanced features in writing software?

1 Track changes and comments

One of the most common features in writing software is the ability to track changes and add comments to your document. This is especially helpful when you are working on a collaborative project, revising your draft, or getting feedback from others. You can see what changes have been made, by whom, and when, and you can accept or reject them as you wish. You can also insert comments to explain your edits, ask questions, or give suggestions. To use this feature, look for the track changes and comment options in the review or editing menu of your software.

2 Find and replace

Another feature that can save you a lot of time and hassle is the find and replace function. This allows you to search for a specific word, phrase, or format in your document and replace it with something else. For example, you can use this feature to correct spelling errors, change names, update dates, or apply a consistent style. You can also use wildcards, case sensitivity, and other options to refine your search and replacement. To use this feature, look for the find and replace option in the home or editing menu of your software.

3 Templates and styles

If you want to create a professional-looking document with a consistent layout and format, you can use templates and styles in your writing software. Templates are pre-designed documents that have placeholders for your content and settings for your fonts, colors, margins, and other elements. Styles are sets of formatting rules that you can apply to different parts of your document, such as headings, paragraphs, lists, or tables. You can use the built-in templates and styles in your software, or you can create your own custom ones. To use this feature, look for the templates and styles options in the file or design menu of your software.

4 Macros and shortcuts

If you want to automate some of the repetitive or complex tasks in your writing process, you can use macros and shortcuts in your writing software. Macros are sequences of commands that you can record and run with a single click or keystroke. Shortcuts are combinations of keys that you can press to perform a specific action. For example, you can use macros to insert common phrases, format tables, or run spell check. You can use shortcuts to save, print, copy, paste, or undo. To use this feature, look for the macros and shortcuts options in the view or developer menu of your software.

5 Research and reference tools

If you want to enhance your writing with credible sources, citations, and references, you can use the research and reference tools in your writing software. These tools can help you find information, facts, quotes, images, or videos from various online databases and websites. They can also help you create and insert citations and bibliographies in different styles, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. To use this feature, look for the research and reference options in the insert or references menu of your software.

6 Add-ons and extensions

If you want to expand the functionality and features of your writing software, you can use add-ons and extensions. These are additional programs or applications that you can install or enable in your software to perform specific tasks or integrate with other services. For example, you can use add-ons and extensions to check grammar, plagiarism, readability, or word count. You can also use them to connect with cloud storage, collaboration platforms, or email clients. To use this feature, look for the add-ons and extensions options in the tools or help menu of your software.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?