Outlining

[Bobby]

I developed an outline using Word (2003)'s outlining facility.

I am now at the stage where I am actually writing the book i.e. writing
text.

Should I create a separate file for this? In other words, should I keep the
outline separate from my book? Or should I simply type text directly into
the outline?

If I do the latter, how simple will it be to eventually format the text? The
outline view is very functional but looks ugly. Is there a way of (quickly)
converting a (large) outline into a nicely formatted book?

Cheers.

Bobby

 

[Shauna Kelly]

Hi Bobby

Yes, you can type your text into the outline. However, before you go too
much further, the following may help:

Sooner or later, you will need to come to terms with styles, so start with:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/using/column14.asp

The following in some ways relates outlines to formatting:
How to create numbered headings or outline numbering in your Microsoft Word
document
http://www.ShaunaKelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html

You might like to create a template from your work, so you can re-use your
outline if you need to. See:
Creating a Template – The Basics (Part I)
http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/CreateATemplatePart1.htm

But your outline will remain useful, and this explains how to use it:
How to save yourself hours by using Outline View properly
http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/Formatting/UsingOLView.htm

Hope this helps.

Shauna Kelly. Microsoft MVP.
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word