Because of the time required to alter graphs and charts, these are best checked earlier on than the copyediting stage. Since that rarely happens, proofreaders, especially, should put graphs and all illustrations through a thorough quality check.
Continue reading Editing Graphs and ChartsTag Archives: best practices
Q&A: Fixing lists in bulk?
QJust a few chapters in this book I’m editing have used a 1)a)i) structure for nested lists. Is there an easier way to make them match the other •o– lists without restyling them line by line?!
AYes! It involves the multilevel list button on the Home ribbon and (at best) Styles for each level in the list.
Continue reading Q&A: Fixing lists in bulk?Reduce Word File Size
Word files get bloated because they’re long, have big/many photos, and because they store a whole lot of data about changes that have been made. These are several ways to reduce the bloat. Use them independently or in any combination for maximum results!
Continue reading Reduce Word File SizeInsert Ribbon Review: Pages Group

The Pages group* on the Insert ribbon is where to turn to instead of repeatedly hitting enter to start a new page. And it does more! Below you’ll find a roundup of posts explaining the best practices for using breaks specifically in an editorial production workflow. These posts build on top of the explanations and guides found in the multimedia guide to Editing In Word 365.
Continue reading Insert Ribbon Review: Pages GroupHome Ribbon Review: Styles Group

Styles is the Home ribbon group where some of Word’s mightiest power lies. Applying Styles is easy, but the tools they unlock are some of the best in Word. Below you’ll find a roundup of posts explaining the best practices for using Styles specifically in an editorial production workflow. These posts build on top of the explanations and guides found in the multimedia guide to Editing In Word 365.
Continue reading Home Ribbon Review: Styles GroupHome Ribbon Review: Paragraph Group

Rounding up posts on the third grouping on the Home ribbon includes one of the most powerful tools: the pilcrow button. Below you’ll find a roundup of posts relating to this grouping in Word’s ribbon, explaining the best practices of using those tools specifically in an editorial production workflow. These posts build on top of the explanations and guides found in the multimedia guide to Editing In Word 365.
Continue reading Home Ribbon Review: Paragraph GroupHome Ribbon Review: Font Group

Moving to the second grouping on the Home ribbon, we continue our roundup of posts relating to each part of Word’s ribbons, explaining the best practices of using them specifically in an editorial production workflow. These posts build on top of the explanations and guides found in the multimedia guide to Editing In Word 365.
Continue reading Home Ribbon Review: Font GroupHome Ribbon Review: Clipboard Group

Here we begin our roundup of posts relating to each part of Word’s ribbons, explaining the best practices of using them in specifically in an editorial production workflow. These posts build on top of the explanations and guides found in the multimedia guide to Editing in Word 365.
Continue reading Home Ribbon Review: Clipboard GroupQ&A: Tracked Changes are hard to look at. Can’t we use something else?
QI find it hard to look at tracked changes; can editors use another method?
AIt’s an interesting question, and one that gives me feels, it seems. TL;DR — No! Don’t make other professionals put up with awkward kludges to assuage some initial discomfort. You get used to it, and let me share some better ways to ease the pain.
Why Publishing Pros Use Track Changes
Continue reading Q&A: Tracked Changes are hard to look at. Can’t we use something else?Upcoming Word Courses for Editors!
You already know Word. You feel pretty comfortable using it to edit manuscripts. Now it’s time to make the most of it! This is the advanced class you’ve been asking for.
Join colleagues for five self-paced lessons then meet up live once each week and chat in Slack about successes and challenges. Get real-time help with the features.
Class starts
Jan 19, 2023
What this Word Class Covers
- Customizations to the Word workspace
- Ways to use the tools you know in new ways for more efficiency
- Tools & tricks in Word to help you see the words like new
- Optimal workflows
- Rescue steps for files that are malfunctioning
See the full lesson list on the course site.
What You Need
- Word 365 or 2019 (or 2016 in a pinch)
- Mac or Windows computer (course covers both)
- Web browser for demos, lessons & live Zoom meetings
- Slack (free) for ongoing class chat and support during the course
- Enroll & mark your calendar for Jan 19, 2023!
We’ll vote on the best meeting time for Thursdays, then set it. Can’t make a live session? No worries! All material is available when you are.

Need to learn more about the essential Word features and tools? Open the next course, below.
Join fellow editors in this 4-week course on the essentials of Word for editors, starting Jan 19th, 2023. Hit the editing desk at full speed!
Class starts
Jan 19, 2023
Requirements
- Mac or Windows computer
- Internet access
- Video watching & docx file download ability
- MS Word 365 (or as old as Word 2019*)
- Free Slack account
- No editing experience required!
*Not much has changed since the 2016 version of Word, beyond how it looks. Users of older versions of Word will get a lot out of this course too.
What you’ll learn
Beyond the basics of:
- Track Changes
- Styles
- Find & Replace (with RegEx & Wildcards)
See the full course syllabus at Archer Editorial Training!
How it works
Each week at noon Eastern on Thursday, we’ll gather in our exclusive Slack channel to check in, problem solve, and talk about that week’s lesson. The lessons are available for you to view, review, and complete at any time.
Each lesson has a short reading, a video demo or two (for Mac and Windows, both), and an exercise. There is no grading, only learning opportunities. We concentrate on using the tools, not on the language of the materials.
There will be one wrap-up check-in after the 4th lesson, to address any lingering questions or insights.
Can’t make the time slot?
Not to worry! The course materials are always available on Archer Editorial Training and our course Slack channel will be available any time. Instructor support lasts throughout the course and lesson access never expires! The instructor will check messages and posts daily.