Proofreading Software and Tools
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Proofreading Tips: How to Fix Ghost Formatting in MS Word
Proofreading Tips: How to Fix Ghost Formatting in MS Word
Aug 01, 2021
When working as a proofreader, you might find that some clients ask you to correct the formatting of a document. But have you ever come across a layout issue in Microsoft Word that seems impossible to fix? If so, you may have experienced the spectre of ghost formatting. This post will explain what this means […]
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Proofreading Tips: How to Annotate a PDF
Proofreading Tips: How to Annotate a PDF
Jul 22, 2021
As a freelance proofreader, you may be asked to proofread a PDF at some point. And if you’re used to the tools in Microsoft Word, the process for marking up a different type of document can seem daunting. Once you get the hang of it, though, proofreading a PDF is simple. In this post, we’ll […]
How to Create a Custom Shortcut in Microsoft Word
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How to Use the Compare Tool in Google Docs for Proofreading
Apr 25, 2021
Google Docs includes a tool that lets you compare two documents. And this can be useful for proofreaders, especially if you forget to use the Suggest Edits function when working on a document. In this blog post, then, we’ll first set out how to use the compare tool in Google Docs, then we’ll look at […]
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Microsoft Word Tips: Track Changes vs. Compare
Dec 27, 2020
When proofreading a document in Microsoft Word, you have two main methods available for recording the edits you make. These are: Using Track Changes to record edits as you make them. Editing the document and then using Compare to highlight the changes. We cover both methods in detail in the Becoming A Proofreader course. Here, […]
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Editing Tools: How to Use Track Changes in Microsoft Word
Aug 23, 2020
Track Changes is a key tool for proofreading in Microsoft Word. And if you want to work as a proofreader, you’ll need to know how it works. In this post, then, we’re going to run you through the basics of how to use Track Changes when editing a document in Microsoft Word. What Is Track […]
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Is AI a Threat to Proofreading Jobs?
Aug 16, 2020
Is AI a threat to proofreading jobs? It is true that proofreading software is getting more sophisticated, now offering stylistic tips as well as flagging typos. But there are some things a human proofreader can do that a machine will always struggle with, including: Gauging whether the style and tone of a document are appropriate. […]
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Understanding the Proofing Options in Microsoft Word
Jun 25, 2020
The spellchecker in Microsoft Word cannot replace expert proofreading, but it can be a useful tool for proofreaders. We look at this in our Becoming A Proofreader course. However, to make the most of this tool, you need to understand the proofing options in Microsoft Word. How to Access the Proofing Options in Microsoft Word […]
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Shortcuts and Time-Savers to Avoid
Sep 14, 2018
Proofreading can be a painstaking process. And when there’s a deadline looming or a frazzled client on your back, it’s very tempting to look for shortcuts. Some of these shortcuts are legitimate time-saving tips that proofreaders should learn to improve their efficiency. But some have no place in proofreading at all. And in this post, […]
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Spellcheck and Proofreading Software
Spellcheck and Proofreading Software
Jun 25, 2018
We all like to feel needed. We give and give, and we’d like a little appreciation in return. But boring old human proofreaders aren’t terribly glamorous. We’re only flesh and blood. And sometimes clients seem to have more faith in technology than in humanity. In today’s blog post, then, we’re looking at non-fleshly attempts to […]
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Windows vs. Mac
Windows vs. Mac
Oct 20, 2017
So which is better, Windows or Mac? Fight! Sadly, we can’t make our computers to engage in an epic battle to the death to prove once and for all that Windows machines are better. Therefore, we can’t tell you which kind of computer to use for proofreading. Ultimately, either is fine because both support Microsoft […]