Military Classification in a Word Header and Footer

[Guest]

For years, we have been waiting for Microsoft Word to mature enough to handle
government (military) classified documents. The security requirements
require each paragraph (style) and paragraph be marked with the
classification (e.g., (C) for confidential, (S) for secret, etc.). Then for
each page within a document, the highest classification for each page must be
captured in both the Header and Footer (e.g., CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, etc).

This has always required each page to be created with separate section
breaks in order to change the contents of the Header/Footer. We all know
what happens when you add a few paragraphs to a page. Everything moves down,
causing the section breaks from that point on to require re-positioning.

Has anyone ever created any software (macro, etc) that can handle this
problem automatically. There are hundreds of thousands of documents within
the US Government alone that would benefit tremendously, as would the editors
and proof-readers.

 

[Ed from AZ]

One issue that comes to mind is that Word doesn't necessarily have a
"Page" object. Pagination can change drastically depending on the
individual's printer settings. If your reader's printer interprets
things slightly different, a paragraph can wind up being partially or
entirely on the next page, which could change your classificatin of
that page. You would have to insert page breaks in order to keep
everything you see when you create the document on the same page when
your reader opens the document with a different printer. Or create a
PDF immediately after creating the document so the printer driver
doesn't affect it.

Other than that, I think I would set up the pages with larger top and
bottom margins and forget about sections for each page. Then I would
create a macro that would scan each page, detect the (S), (C), (U),
etc, and create a text box with the classification marking t top and
bottom that is set behind the page text. It looks the same when
printed, and you don't have a plethoria of section breaks.

Ed

 

[Ed from AZ]

etc, and create a text box with the classification marking t top and

bottom that is set behind the page text.

On second thought, I would have the macro simply insert a paragraph
above the first pagragraph and below the last paragraph and write the
appropriate classification there with a style applied that gives it
the correct font and paragraph formatting. The text box idea can get
really ugly in some situations.

Ed

 

[Greg Maxey]

Larry,

As a retired Naval Officer and former XO, I too longed for this type of
automation. With the assistance of fellow MVP Peter Jamieson this is as
close as I came:

http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/Conditional_Headers_Footers.htm

 

[Ed from AZ]

Wow, Greg! That's so much easier than my macro idea! Sweet!

Ed

 

[Greg Maxey]

Ed,

Thanks. There have been lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth with that
process over the years ;-). The method isn't fool proof and considering the
information involved should always be checked by a pair or two of eyes
before press time.

I have a template if you or Larry are interested.

 

[Larry Eamigh]

Thanks to both you and Peter. This solution has been a long time coming. I
gave it a quick try and love how it works. I hope to implement it across all
our programs as soon as possible. Many thanks from the Government contracts
world.
--
Larry Eamigh
Configuration Manager
L-3 Communications

Larry,

As a retired Naval Officer and former XO, I too longed for this type of
automation. With the assistance of fellow MVP Peter Jamieson this is as
close as I came:

http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/Conditional_Headers_Footers.htm