Master feature

[Jugglertwo]

I'm looking for some input/feedback regarding the use of
the Master Documents Feature in Word 2003.

I have a customer that wants to use and learn the Master
Document features with subdocuments, outlining, etc. They
apparently have some large documents that wish to use.

I train in Word and I'm very comfortable with most of the
typical features and uses of Word. However, I haven't
done much with Master Documents except infrequently teach
the basics of Master Documents.

I'm concerned that Master Documents may not allow the
customer to do what they want and also some of the
previous versions of Word did not seem to handle Master
Document so well.

Here are my questions:
1) Does Word 2003 handle this feature well compared to
the past versions and possible issues it used to have?
2) Is this a solid feature to use?
3) Do people not use it these days because the general
PC's are so powerful that it is not necessary to use
separate files utilized in a Master Document?
4) What limitations or things should one watch out for
related to Master Documents?
5) Is there a good reference or web site I can check out?

I know that I have asked a lot of questions but I'm not
sure if my customer should get involved in this feature
when perhaps it is not necessary. Also, I may have to
provide support and I'm not sure what kind of trouble I
might be looking at fixing.

Thanks for any suggestions/feedback !
Jugglertwo

 

[Graham Mayor]

The function is still unreliable. Avoid if at all possible. Word will
happily handle large documents.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Charles Kenyon]

"Master Document" remains a term of art in Word referring to a "feature"
that not only doesn't work but also destroys documents. The consensus (with
the limited exception of Steve Hudson) among those offering advice on these
newsgroups is that using the Master Document feature is a good way to
destroy your document. It can destroy parts of your document that you are
not even working on! I think John McGhie said it succinctly when he said
that there are two kinds of Master Documents: Those that are corrupt and
those that will be corrupt soon. See
http://www.addbalance.com/word/masterdocuments.htm for information on the
Master Document feature and workarounds. See
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/General/WhyMasterDocsCorrupt.htm for more
information on what goes wrong, and
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/General/RecoverMasterDocs.htm for ideas on how
to salvage what you can. See
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/magazine/technical/masterdocs.doc for
Steve Hudson's instructions if you are willing to follow them very
carefully.

--

Charles Kenyon

Word New User FAQ & Web Directory: http://addbalance.com/word

Intermediate User's Guide to Microsoft Word (supplemented version of
Microsoft's Legal Users' Guide) http://addbalance.com/usersguide

See also the MVP FAQ: http://www.mvps.org/word which is awesome!
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
This message is posted to a newsgroup. Please post replies
and questions to the newsgroup so that others can learn
from my ignorance and your wisdom.

 

[Guest]

Graham:
Thanks for the useful feedback.

-----Original Message-----
The function is still unreliable. Avoid if at all possible. Word will
happily handle large documents.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>





.

 

[Guest]

Charles:
Thanks for taking the time to answer!
It is appreciated !

-----Original Message-----
"Master Document" remains a term of art in Word referring to a "feature"
that not only doesn't work but also destroys documents. The consensus (with
the limited exception of Steve Hudson) among those offering advice on these
newsgroups is that using the Master Document feature is a good way to
destroy your document. It can destroy parts of your document that you are
not even working on! I think John McGhie said it succinctly when he said
that there are two kinds of Master Documents: Those that are corrupt and
those that will be corrupt soon. See
http://www.addbalance.com/word/masterdocuments.htm for information on the
Master Document feature and workarounds. See
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/General/WhyMasterDocsCorrupt ..htm for more
information on what goes wrong, and
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/General/RecoverMasterDocs.ht m for ideas on how
to salvage what you can. See
http://www.techwr-

l.com/techwhirl/magazine/technical/masterdocs.doc for

 

[Dian D. Chapman, MVP]

Just felt the need to chime in a bit here...since I've been
complaining about Master docs since version 6 and wrote this article
back in 1996...

Compiling Sub Docs
http://www.mousetrax.com/mastdoc.html

I've been telling people to NOT use Master docs since 1995, too.

That said, know that Master Docs in 2003 *is* getting more stable and
I have cautiously used it several times and <knock, knock, knock> it
does seem more stable.

Granted, I still warn people that, if you try it...keep your docs
separate, save/backup often...be SMART about it by not trying to push
it too hard. Make sure you regularly clear out your temp files and
make sure you have a powerful system when you use it that can handle
the stress of handling tons of files, graphics, etc. And be smart
about using stable styles...modify them properly so you don't end up
with char, char styles all over. Avoid direct formatting. And keep
everything in the individual docs version adding within the master
template for the master doc.

I am getting braver and braver about using it in 2003 and did hear
from MS about some improvements in this version. I'm currently editing
a pretty large doc...over 28 chapters, over 1500 footnotes, and piles
of images. It's going okay so far <knock, knock, knock...again!> If
you hear a loud scream, it'll be me.

I don't know that you'd want to trust a newbie with it...HA, although
THEY may have better luck due to not being so afraid of it!<g>

Just my two cents...

Good luck...

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

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