WordTips FAQ

What Versions of Word Are Covered in the Web Site?

Tips on the WordTips Web site are written for various versions of Word. You'll find tips written for Word 6 (version 6), Word 95 (version 7), Word 97 (version 8), Word 2000 (version 9), Word 2002 (version 10), Word 2003 (version 11), and Word 2007 (version 12). Each tip is clearly marked as to which version it covers. (See the notation at the bottom of each tip.)

What Versions of Word Are Covered in WordTips Newsletter?

The WordTips newsletter is designed for users of Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, Word 2003, and Word 2007. When there are differences in how a certain tip is done on a particular version of Word, those differences are clearly explained in each tip.

What About Word for the Mac?

Many WordTips are equally applicable to versions of Word for the Mac. In fact, there are many newsletter subscribers who use only Word for the Mac. The differences in implementation for the Mac are not pointed out in WordTips, however.

Is There Any Charge for WordTips?

No. WordTips is provided free of charge, both the Web site and the newsletter. We do, however, have a subscription-based version called WordTips Premium. It provides many benefits over regular WordTips, and is available for a nominal annual charge.

When Is the WordTips Newsletter Published?

WordTips is published each Saturday, before the end of the day. For many readers, this means that WordTips is waiting for them when they arrive at work on Monday morning.

What Do You Do With My E-Mail Address?

We add it to our list of subscribers, and that is it. We don't attach a name (your name) to the address, we don't make the list of subscribers available to the public, and we don't sell our mailing list to anyone else. (Thus, if you receive any spam, it did not originate at our site.) For our complete privacy policy, check this Web page.

Why Don't You Send WordTips as a Word Document?

The WordTips newsletter is distributed as plain-text e-mail, with no bells and whistles. We don't send out Word documents or templates because of the potential of inadvertently sending out a macro virus. In addition, if we sent out Word documents, we would need to be concerned with which Word format to use. The most universal method of distribution is plain old e-mail.

Are Past WordTips Available On-Line?

Past issues are not available on-line, but are available in convenient WordTips archives.

Who Writes WordTips?

WordTips is written and edited by Allen L. Wyatt.

Why Do You Do WordTips?

For two reason, primarily. First, I use Word daily, and I really enjoy the program. That being said, there are still many things that are frustrating, and I have had to search for how to accomplish them. I think many other people are in the same boat. The second reason is that I love to write. I have written about 50 computer books, and you have to love writing to do that.

What Do You Get Out of Writing WordTips?

Other than the satisfaction of helping other people, not much. There is no charge for WordTips, so there is no remuneration attached to it. I don't work for an employer that subsidizes WordTips, nor do I have a rich uncle. I do, however, get a small amount from the sale of the WordTips archives, and from subscribers to WordTips Premium.

Does WordTips Cover Macros?

WordTips is not a tutorial in how to write macros, but many of the tips included in WordTips rely on macros to accomplish tasks.

How Can I Use the Macros In WordTips?

Many of the tips used in WordTips rely upon macros in order to run. There are actually two ways to use macros. The first is to record a macro, which is appropriate when you want to record a series of steps you perform quite often. The second method of creating a macro, writing one from scratch, is much more powerful, and also the way that you can best use the macros found in WordTips. Refer to the following tips for more information:

• Writing a VBA Macro from Scratch
• Writing a WordBasic Macro from Scratch

How Can I Get Help With a Problem?

Each issue of the WordTips newsletter includes a Help Wanted section. This section is dedicated to those readers who are having problems making Word behave the way they expect. It contains restated problems that were forwarded to WordTips. If you have a problem, you can send it to us using the form on this page. We can't guarantee you will get a prompt answer (or even an answer at all), but you may be able to finally get that nagging problem off your chest. If your question is included in the Help Wanted section, readers may respond with solutions. These solutions are then formatted into tips which appear in future issues of WordTips.

How Do You Choose Items in the Help Wanted Section?

As you can imagine, I receive lots of mail each week from people needing help. If I know the answer right off the top of my head, I fire back an e-mail. If I need to do research, I collect all the requests and then look at them once a week. I only choose two or three requests for each issue of WordTips, so I look for those that are unique or of perhaps the widest interest. Thus, not all requests make it into the newsletter. I don't delete the questions, however. I still hold on to them, just in case another reader later has a similar question. (Multiple readers with questions on the same topic results in a greater chance of being in the Help Wanted section.)

Some people get worried (or worse, angry) when their query is not answered. To be honest, I don't have time to respond to every query. (See the question about what I get out of doing WordTips.) Believe it or not, it takes quite a bit of time to put this Web site and the weekly newsletters together, and (unreasonable as it may seem) my wife and kids insist I do something to bring in a living. Rest assured that I will do what I can to help, within the time and resources at my disposal.

Can I Pass WordTips Newsletters on To My Friends?

Yes, you can—to a point. We want people to hear about and use WordTips. WordTips may be circulated via MANUAL forwarding by e-mail to others, providing that 1) the file is transmitted in its entirety, and 2) NO FEE is charged. We would ask that you only do this to the same person up to three times. At that point, your friend should have decided whether to subscribe on their own. (After all, WordTips is free and anyone can get it.)

If you subscribe to WordTips Premium, weekly issues of that newsletter may not be passed on to others or shared with them.

Please invite your friends to visit the WordTips Web site. Thousands of people search through the answers there and get the help they need. It is a great place for people to get a feel for the quality of the newsletter's content and to make their own decisions.

Can I Save WordTips in My Own Tip File?

If it is for your own use, then yes, you can. If you decide to pass the file on to others or share the file with others in any manner, then you are in violation of the WordTips copyright. Quite honestly, a better answer to having all the tips in one place is to get your own copy of the WordTips Archives, or simply visit the WordTips Web site.

Can I Post WordTips Newsletters on My Network?

Yes, as long as each issue is included with no alterations. People on the network must be able to subscribe to WordTips on their own, as well. Note that this posting must not be accessible to anyone outside of your organization. This means you cannot post WordTips on your Web site, your FTP site, or your BBS. You cannot copy information from the WordTips Web site and post it to your network, although we encourage links to the Web site itself.

How Do I Subscribe to the WordTips Newsletter?

Simple—just click here.

How Do I Unsubscribe from the WordTips Newsletters?

There is a link at the bottom of every issue of WordTips.

How Do I Change My Subscription Address?

Again, there is a link at the bottom of every issue of WordTips.

Can I Advertise in WordTips?

WordTips allows some newsletter advertising. If you would like to help support WordTips and promote your products or services, we have prepared another Web page with more information.