Need help with formatting in Word

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I'm a professional fiction book editor. Years ago, I worked for a small publishing company that has since closed its doors. But they had a style sheet all the editors used to keep track of a book's details (character names & descriptions, places, terms, etc). I'm not sure how they formatted it, but I'd love to figure it out. I have a blank one, and it works, so I just continue to save a copy and use it. But in case that ever gets lost, I'd like to figure out how they did it so I can make my own.

 

One part is easy enough. Each entry is a hanging .01, so when a description wraps to a second line, it's slightly indented. I know how to do that, no problem.

 

But the other part is the first part of each line (the name and a hyphen (or what turns into a dash because of autocorrect setting) is bold but then it changes to NOT bold. Then when you enter to go to a new line for a new entry, it's back to bold and then NOT bold, and so on.

 

I can't figure out how to get it to do that. Any ideas? I can send the file if someone needs to look at it themselves. Thanks for any help you can give me!

8 Replies

@JenRar 

First, save this document as a Template to make sure you do not mess it up.

Once you've done that, save a document made from your template and post a link to it here and someone will be able to walk you through any features.

Why a sample file is important for troubleshooting - - - - - - - and how to do it.

@JenRar The attached Style Sheet.zip contains a Style Sheet.dotx template in which a Characters style has been defined with the 0.1 Hanging Indent.  You should save that file in your User Templates folder and then use File>New and select that template when you want to create a new style sheet.

 

Doug_Robbins_Word_MVP_0-1675466429247.png

 

To get the name of the character in bold, you will need to select it and then apply the Strong character style to it.

 

If there are other types of formatting that you want to use on multiple occasions, it would be best to define new Styles for them.

 

 

 

Thank you, but see, that's the thing... The bold start to each line is automated. Once you hit Enter after one line, it automatically is bold until after you type the hyphen. I can't figure out how it's automated. I know how to do the hanging indent. :)

@JenRar 

 

Are these list items (numbers or bullets)? In that case, the option "Format beginning of list item like the one before it" at File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type applies.

 

Stefan_Blom_0-1675591902283.png

 

That is checked, but if it's a list, it isn't one I did. And I don't see an option that shows it's a list, so...I don't think so?
Actually, I take that back. I think that IS what it is. Thanks!

@JenRar 

 

I'm glad you got it sorted. :)