1

Jones - Cross

Hi,

You can save the companion WordFile.doc on your computer as a template for future use -- (use File / Save As / Save As Type = Document Template). When actually using it, be sure to replace / amend the various variables unique to the case at hand, such as the date, place, and any headers! 

That file / template lets you type single- OR double-spaced text within the same page, WITHOUT disturbing the line numbering to the left. This is because the line numbering is placed OUTSIDE the "text area," and exists as a sort of invariable "watermark" text box.

When done with single-spacing on the title or index, begin your actual transcript's double-spacing by setting Format / Paragraph / Line Spacing at EXACTLY 25.4pt -- single-spaced sections should be set at EXACTLY 12.7pt. Do NOT just click on Word's "Double Space" or "Single Space" shortcuts -- they slowly get out of alignment, and look awful.

The federal format specifies a font: Courier New 12 point, which gives 10 characters per linear inch. In the federal format do NOT use a proportional font such as Times New Roman.

We suggest typing / proofing the entire transcript, and then going back to insert the appropriate headers. Much easier!

1

Jones - Redirect

NOTE that on this page the ↑ header's text has been changed from Jones - Cross to Jones - Redirect. Note also that you are now in Section 2 of this document. (Each new header requires a new document "section.")

To insert a new "true" header at the top of a page, be very careful to perform these functions in strict order:

1.Place your cursor on very first typeable spot on the page on which you wish to insert or change a header. It should be at the left margin on line number 1.


2. Insert a SECTION BREAK and assign it as "Continuous." (Insert/Break)

3. On the same page, double-click anywhere in its header area to bring up the "Header/Footer Format Bar":

4. Immediately UNclick the "Same as Previous" button. The words "Same as Previous" should disappear from the area just above and at the right of the header box.

***

Only now begin to type your new header. If you begin typing BEFORE you unclick that "Same as Previous" button, you will UNDO PRIOR HEADERS you have so carefully prepared!

***

5. (a) To enter text in a header that is blank except for the page number, Make sure you are in Insert mode, NOT overtype mode! Place your cursor below the center tab of the header line using your mouse. This is VERY important. If you space or tab to that position, the page number will get messed up. Now you may type your text -- Doe - Direct.

(b) To change to a new header, just type in the new text in Insert mode. Be very careful not to delete anything but actual text. (Overtype mode may be used, but there's a danger of overwriting the tab that sets the page number position.)

NOTE: You can amend / correct existing language in an existing header by double-clicking in the header area and over-typing OR CAREFULLY REMOVING TEXT that already exists.

Many people choose to complete a transcript, including all its internal format elements, proofing and spell-checking, etc., and ONLY THEN go back to deal with the different sections / headers which may be needed.

OTHER COMMENTS:

It's helpful to work with Word's text boundaries showing. Go to Tools, Options, the View tab, then under "Print and Web Layout Options," place a check-mark in "Text Boundaries." That's a toggle -- if you don't like it, don't use it.

Word's default settings include "smart quotes" -- turn them OFF, and you'll save yourself grief down the road when exporting, compressing, etc. Go to Tools, AutoCorrect, AutoFormat As You Type, and turn OFF anything that looks smarmy -- so-called "smart quotes," superscripted ordinals (such as 7th, which should NOT appear in a transcript), weird fractions, etc.).

Trust us on this -- you don't want them because they're peculiar to Word and may NOT survive an ASCII export. (You'll see it just fine in Word, but your client may wind up with a Japanese yen sign in the middle of a sentence, or an unexplained little box -- or worse!)

And FINALLY,

In the Format / Paragraph tab, under "Line and Page Breaks,"

the ONLY box which should EVER have a check mark in it is "Don't Hyphenate."

Good luck.