Avoid Using the Normal Style

Summary: The basis of almost all styles in Word is the Normal style. Here's a good reason why you shouldn't use it. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 6, Word 95, Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

If you use styles extensively in your Word documents, you should consider not using the Normal style. This is a predefined Word style which is used as the default for paragraphs. If you use defined styles for all your paragraphs, you can then search for any paragraphs defined with Normal. These are ones that have not been formatted properly and which deserve your attention. When there are no more Normal paragraphs in your document, you know that your formatting job is complete.

Tip #469 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 6 | 95 | 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

Step Up and Take Control! Subscribers to WordTips know just how valuable a resource it is. WordTips Premium provides twice the number of exceptional, easy-to-understand tips every week in an ad-free newsletter, as well as substantial discounts on WordTips archives and e-books.

Check out WordTips Premium today!