TIPS FOR DOS AND WINDOWS USERS

1. The END is only a keystroke away.
   For a quick trip to the end of the line, tap the key marked END. Tap it to jump the cursor to the right edge in any editing situation.

2. Double click to edit Reveal Codes!
   When working with Reveal Codes on, use your mouse to open codes. Double click a code to open the edit screen for that feature. This brilliant improvement works in WordPerfect for Windows 6.1 and later, and WordPerfect for DOS 6.2. 

3. Quit mousing around -- use ALT+letters to pick from menus.
   Using your mouse to pick menu items is easy, but slow. To select quickly from menus, tap and release the Alt key, then press the underlined letters. For example, to save your document, choose File, Save, by tapping three keys one after the other -- Alt, F, S. (Within Help and many Dialog Boxes, though, you must hold down the Alt key while pressing the letter.)

   WordPerfect for Windows always works this way, but in WordPerfect for DOS you must turn it on. In DOS 6.x versions, use Screen/Ctrl+F3, Setup/Shift+F1, 1-Screen Options, and 2-Alt Key Activates Menus. In DOS version 5.1/5.1+, use Setup/Shift+F1, 2/Display, 4/Menu Options, and 4-Alt Key Selects Pull-Down Menu. 

4. Ctrl+Backspace deletes word.
   Hold down the Ctrl key and tap Backspace to delete a word, starting with your cursor on any letter of the word. Hold down both keys to repeat, and it will scoop up the remainder of the paragraph.

5. The CTRL key is central to navigating text.
   To accelerate movements in WordPerfect for DOS and Windows, hold it down while you press an arrow key to move word by word, or paragraph by paragraph.
   Paragraph up
   |
   Word left < CTRL > Word right
   |
   Paragraph down
   

6. Keystrokes make cut + paste fast and easy.
   To cut and paste, select (highlight) your text first. Then you can click buttons on the toolbar, or choose Copy, Cut, or Paste from the Edit menu -- but for speed and convenience, all it takes is a keystroke:
   • Ctrl+C to copy
     
   • Ctrl+X to cut -- think of scissor blades
     
   • Ctrl+V to paste -- think of the "V" as an arrow like an editor would use to indicate "insert here".

   These keystrokes work in all Windows applications. By menu or button, mouse or keyboard, whichever way you prefer to cut and paste, it's a fast simple way to move text within a document, between documents, and even between programs! Four simple steps: select the text, choose copy or cut, open or switch to another program, then paste it there.

   In WordPerfect for Windows, cut and paste also transfers the attributes of the text, that is, font size and style, bold, italics, underline, etc. Sometimes you want plain text, stripped of its attributes. To "paste simple", use Ctrl+Shift+V.

   (Within WordPerfect for DOS 6.0 and later versions, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, and Ctrl+V work, but even if you are running under Windows you can't paste text into another program.)

7. Select first to apply features locally.
   Normally, settings like margins and tabs affect all of the text in a document forward from the point where the code is placed. If you wish to work on just a limited area, select (highlight) the text first, before making the setting; this brackets the selected text with one code that turns the feature on and another that turns it off at the end. For example, to change margins for just a few paragraphs, first highlight the text, then make the margin change. This is also helpful with features such as line spacing, tabs, justification, font style, font size, bold, italics, underline, block protect, word and letter spacing, spell check, etc., in WordPerfect for both DOS and Windows, version 6.0 and later.

8. Deja vu in the key of down.
   History lists let you pick from a menu of your last 9 selections -- files you've worked on, text you've searched for, and macros you've played or recorded. To see the past, tap the down arrow key at these menus:
   • In WordPerfect for Windows 6.1 and later: File, Open; Edit, Find; Tools, Macro, Play; and Tools, Macro, Record. (Click the down arrow symbol with your mouse to see the whole list.)

   • In WordPerfect for DOS 6.0 and later: Retrieve/Shift+F10, Macro/Alt+F10, and Macro Define/Ctrl+F10.
   

9. Mnemonic symbols.
   Ctrl+W is the keystroke to bring up a menu of WordPerfect symbols in WordPerfect for both DOS and Windows. For speed, some symbols have easy-to-remember 2-character codes you can type. Begin with Ctrl+W,* then type these two keys (followed by ENTER):

   

   To create this symbol	Press Ctrl+W,* these 2 keys, then ENTER	Symbol name
   ¶	P |	Paragraph
   ©	c o	Copyright
   ®	r o	Reg. Trademark
   ™	t m	Trademark
   NA	s m	Service mark
   ½	/ 2	One half
   ¼	/ 4	One quarter
   NA	* *	Bullet
   •	*.	Small bullet
   -	- -	Em dash
   ¢	c /	Cent
   £	L -	Pound sterling
   ¥	Y =	Yen

   If you use WordPerfect for DOS 6.x, you'll see more symbols if you first switch to View, Graphics Mode or Ctrl+F3.

   (* In WordPerfect for DOS 5.0/5.1/5.1+, use Ctrl+V instead of Ctrl+W.) 

10. Zip through lists!
    Every version of WordPerfect offers a quick way to skip down lists by typing the first couple characters of the entry you are looking for. This works in lists of files, directories, styles, printers, paper sizes, etc.

    In WordPerfect for Windows, go to the File Open screen, click in the list of files to place your focus there, then type the first letter or two of a filename, and the pointer will zip down to the first filename that matches. A one second pause will reset name search.

    In WordPerfect for DOS, when viewing the List Files/F5 screen, tap the letter "N" to start name search, then begin typing. (Tap ENTER or press an arrow key to terminate name search.) Another example is to select a style: use Styles/Alt+F8, press the letter "N", then type a letter or two to speed down the list.

11. Embrace the future.
    Features and ease of use have improved a great deal as WordPerfect has been refined from version to version. If you are using a version earlier than WordPerfect for Windows 7.0, or earlier than WordPerfect for DOS 5.1+, you have a lot to gain, so it's time to upgrade. Valuable new functions include Templates, QuickCorrect, history lists, Make-it-Fit, editable reveal codes, and the ability to sort the list of files chronologically. Additionally, DOS users can now Fax directly from within WordPerfect, and can choose to use a WYSIWYG graphical display; Windows users now have the Address Book, an extremely valuable Rolodex feature, which can dial the phone and be shared over a network.

12. Emphasize your words with Ctrl-key shortcuts.
    To turn on and off bold, italics, or underline, press:
    - Ctrl+B for Bold
    - Ctrl+I for Italics
    - Ctrl+U for Underline
    

    (Works in all versions of WordPerfect for Windows, and in WordPerfect for DOS 6.0 and later.)

13. Undo as a last resort.
    Undo is Ctrl+Z, which reverses your last change of any kind -- typing, deleting, placing or editing settings, etc. Press Ctrl+Z repeatedly to undo your last 10 changes (can be set for more) in all versions of WordPerfect for Windows, and in WordPerfect for DOS 6.0 and later.

14. Pick up where you left off.
    WordPerfect will automatically set a bookmark (location marker) to remember the cursor position when you save if you turn on "Set QuickMark on Save". This way, when you return to a document, you can quickly jump to where you left off.

    In WordPerfect for Windows 7 or 8, use the keystroke Ctrl+Q to jump to the QuickMark. To enable this feature in WordPerfect 7, use Edit, Preferences, Environment, and select (at bottom center) "Set QuickMark on save". In WordPerfect 8, use Tools, Bookmark, then select "Set QuickMark on file save" at bottom. WordPerfect 8 takes this feature an extra step -- try out "Go to QuickMark on file open" to automatically move the cursor to where you left off each time you re-open a document.

    In WordPerfect for DOS 6.0 and later, move the cursor to the QuickMark with Shift+F12, ENTER. To enable this feature, use Shift+F12 (or Edit, Bookmark), and select "Set QuickMark in Document on Save".

15. Safety backups.
    Turn on Original Backup to keep a backup copy of your document (filename.BK!) as you edit. The prior version will be saved with the extension ".BK!" Remember, files that end with ".BK!" are old versions -- never open or print them except in an emergency.

    In WordPerfect for DOS 5.x/6.x, find this under Setup/Shift+F1, 3/Environment, 1/Backup Options, Original Document Backup. In WordPerfect for Windows 8.0, use Tools, Settings (in versions 7.0 and 6.x use Edit, Preferences), then select File, and Original Document Backup.

16. Filename stamp.
    It's always handy to mark a printed document with the name of the file it came from. You can easily place such a "document tag" or "filename stamp" into a footer or at the bottom of the document with this command: In WordPerfect for Windows version 6.0 and later, use Insert, Other. In WordPerfect for DOS version 6.0 and later, use Format/Shift+F8, 7/Other (or, by menu, Layout, Other), then 5/Insert Filename.

    Choose between Filename or Path and Filename (path refers to the drive letter and the entire route of directories one must go through to find a file.) The code placed into your text at the cursor position will display the current filename; if the file is renamed or copied, the code will update to show the new name.

    If you like the idea of printing an "ID" on your documents, check out the macro that ships with WordPerfect for Windows (6.0 and later) called FILESTMP, which creates a filename stamp in a header or footer.

17. Word count.
    Let WordPerfect count your words for you ... and also the number of sentences and paragraphs, even characters and lines. These statistics and more are available in WordPerfect for both DOS and Windows, 6.0 and later. In DOS, use Tools, Writing Tools (or Alt+F1), then choose 4/Document Information. In WordPerfect for Windows 8.0, choose File, Properties (in version 7.0, it's File, Document, Properties), then click the Information tab; in 6.x versions, it's just File, Document Info.

18. Easy horizontal lines.
    When desktop publishing or designing forms, it's useful to easily and precisely draw horizontal lines, such as for signatures, fill-in blanks, or to separate sections. You can the TAB key and flush right with the underline feature if you first tell WordPerfect to underline tabs.

    Make sure your cursor is above the text you'll need this for, then use this command: In WordPerfect for Windows 8, go to the Font menu to select Underline, Text and Tabs; in 6.x and 7.0 versions, use the Font menu to select Tabs in the "Underline Options" section; in 5.x versions, use Layout, Typesetting, to select Underline Tabs. In WordPerfect for DOS 6.x, use Font/Ctrl+F8, 6/Underline, 2/Tabs; in 5.x, use Format/Shift+F8, 4/Other, 7/Underline, Tabs.

    Once the code for underlining tabs is placed in the document, text below it can use TAB or flush right with the underline feature. You can quickly draw horizontal lines by turning on underline (Ctrl+U or, in WordPerfect for DOS 5.x, F8) and pressing the TAB key. To stretch lines to the right margin, turn on underline then select flush right (Alt+F6 in DOS, Alt+F7 in Windows). Turn off underline after drawing the line.

19. Symbols specify format features.
    Add information to your editing screen by setting WordPerfect to show symbols where certain format features have been used in your document. For example, by showing a paragraph symbol at each point where ENTER has been pressed, it's much easier to count the blank lines in a signature block, or see exactly where a line ends (versus trailing spaces or tabs).

    In WordPerfect for Windows, the WYSIWYG display and small fonts make this feature especially valuable. In WordPerfect for Windows 6.0 and later, you may use View, Show ¶ to temporarily display the symbols in just the current document.

    To set symbols to display permanently, in WordPerfect 8.0, use Tools, Settings (in versions 7.0 and 6.x use Edit, Preferences), then select Display, and click the Symbols tab (in 6.x click Show ¶). This allows you to control the display of symbols representing a variety of keystrokes (Space, Hard return/ENTER, Tab, Indent, Center, Advance, etc.). You may not change the symbols which are displayed, only the features which are represented. Make sure to select "Show symbols on new and current document."

    In WordPerfect for DOS 6.x, use Screen/Ctrl+F3, Setup/Shift+F1 (or, by menu, View, Screen Setup), then select 2/Display Characters to enter the symbols to represent the ENTER and space bar keys. (To insert a paragraph symbol (¶), hold down the Alt key and use the numeric keypad to type the number 20.)

    In WordPerfect for DOS 5.x, you may only specify the symbol used to represent the ENTER key. In version 5.1/5.1+, use Setup/Shift+F1, 2/Display, 6/Edit-Screen Options, 4/Hard Return Display Character; in 5.0, use Setup/Shift+F1, 3/Display, 6/Hard Return Display Character.

20. Explore QuickCorrect.
    Do words you've mistyped seem to correct themselves? When you mistype "teh", does it mysteriously change to "the"? That's the QuickCorrect feature at work. It comes with a list of commonly misspelled words that it automatically corrects as you type. When you type an entry from the list into your document, it is instantly replaced when you press ENTER or space bar.

    You can add your own abbreviations to QuickCorrect, such as for your name or company name. In WordPerfect for Windows 6.0 and later, select Tools, QuickCorrect to see the table of replacements. Your cursor should be blinking in an empty field under "Replace:"; type in an abbreviation such as "ibm". Then press TAB or click to move your cursor to the field under "With:" and type in "International Business Machines". (Do not type the quote marks.) Press ENTER or click Add entry to finish, then click OK.

    In WordPerfect for DOS version 6.1 and later, find QuickCorrect under Alt+F1 (or Tools, Writing Tools), then choose QuickCorrect. To add abbreviations, select "Replacement Word List/F5," Add entry, and follow the prompts to add a word and its replacement.

    Now, type the abbreviation onto your document screen. As soon as you type "ibm" and press space bar or ENTER, it will be replaced by "International Business Machines". (Spell check will also trigger replacement after the fact.)

    If you might sometimes want to use the abbreviation itself in the text of your document, then you can avoid difficulties by using an altered form of the abbreviation; for example, begin it with a slash (or other symbol), such as /ibm in the "Replace:" field.

    The feature is smart; type the abbreviation into your text in upper case to get the full phrase typed out all in caps!

    There are several other sophisticated options that you may wish to take advantage of or turn off. You'll see them all on the QuickCorrect screen in WordPerfect for DOS. To find them in WordPerfect for Windows 8, you'll need to click the tab marked Format-As-You-Go; in version 6.1 or 7.0, select Options. 

WORDPERFECT FOR WINDOWS

1. The HOME and END keys make basic movements easy.
   In WordPerfect for Windows, press HOME or END alone to move the cursor horizontally, add the CTRL key to move vertically.

   Ctrl+HOME
   (Beginning of document)
   |
   HOME (Beginning of line)  < >  END (End of the line)   
   |
   Ctrl+END
   (End of document)
   

   

2. Right click for QuickMenu.
   Click the right mouse button for a pop-up menu of handy commands. The QuickMenu is context sensitive, providing options useful at the spot your mouse is pointing to. This allows you to "interrogate" elements on screen and see what you can do with them, or find out what's available at that point in your document. This is valuable at the document editing screen as well as the File Open screen in WordPerfect 5.2 and later.

3. Double click the status bar buttons.
   The indicators at the bottom of your WordPerfect screen can also be "activated". Double click the date or time to type it into your document at the cursor position; double click CAPS to toggle capital letters on or off; double click the page/line position to use the Goto menu (to move the cursor). Fabulous! Right click on the Status Bar to add a Date button if you don't already have one.

4. Valuable function keys.
   Clicking menus requires coordination of hand and eye. Function keys are faster -- you don't even have to look up. Try a quick tap:
   • F1 = Help (context sensitive)
     
   • F2 = Find and Replace
     
   • F4 = File Open
     
   • F5 = Print
     
   • F7 = Indent
     
   • F8 = Select on or off
     
   • F9 = Font
     
   

5. Select with SHIFT+movements.
   One way to select (highlight) text is to "drag" with your mouse, holding down the left button while rolling the mouse. But for ease and precision try the keys. Simply hold down the Shift key while using other keys to move the cursor:
   • Shift + END -- highlights to end of line
   • Shift + Ctrl+arrow -- highlights word by word
   • Shift + Ctrl+END -- highlights to the end of the document
   • Shift + Ctrl+Down arrow -- highlights a paragraph at a time.
   • Shift + mouse click -- highlights from the cursor to the mouse pointer.

   Vertical movements are best for selecting lines or paragraphs, such as Shift+Down arrow repeatedly to select an address block. Once you've selected, tap DELete or Backspace to erase, Ctrl+C to copy, or type new text to replace what's highlighted.

6. Multiple mouse clicks.
   - Click twice to select (highlight) a word.
   - Click three times to select a sentence.
   - Click four times to select a paragraph.
   

   Save clicks by pointing into the left margin.

7. Ctrl+letter shortcut keys.
   WordPerfect for Windows offers fast keystroke alternatives to using the menus. These basic keystrokes work in all Windows versions:
   
   • Ctrl+O = File Open screen
     
   • Ctrl+P = Print menu
     
   • Ctrl+S = Save
     
   • Ctrl+G = Goto menu

   Some very convenient functions were added in WordPerfect for Windows version 6.0 and later:
   

   • Ctrl+D = Date (today's date as text)
     
   • Ctrl+N = New document window
     
   • Ctrl+K = Upper/lower Case toggle

   ... and for easy justification:
   

   • Ctrl+E = Center
     
   • Ctrl+J = Full justify
     
   • Ctrl+L = Left justify
     
   • Ctrl+R = Right justify
   

8. Drag lines with your mouse.
   This feature alone is enough to make you love your mouse. Any time you see a vertical line you want to adjust, such as the left margin, try to drag it. Sight carefully with your mouse until the mouse's arrow pointer changes to a double-headed arrow. Now move the line by holding down your left mouse button as you roll your mouse left or right. Since WordPerfect for Windows version 7.0, you can drag to adjust the width of:
   the columns of a Table, text Columns, and the columns of information displayed in the File Open or Address Book screens. You can also use your mouse to drag all four edges of: the page (top, bottom, left, and right margins), the borders of a graphic, and dialog boxes (such as the Ctrl+W symbols). (In version 6.1, you can drag column widths in a Table, but little else.)

9. Next Doc key.
   When you have open more than one document window (9 is the max), Ctrl+F6 is a handy key for rotating between them, much easier than selecting from the Window command.

10. Save often.
    Save frequently to improve the safety of your work. In WordPerfect for Windows, Ctrl+S is a crisp keystroke that makes it easy (same as File, Save). Before taking that break or answering that phone call, simply hold down the Ctrl key and tap the letter "S" to save the work you've accumulated on-screen. This will reduce the amount of work you might lose in case of a power interruption, machine malfunction, or accidentally not saving.

11. Preview documents
    At the File Open screen in WordPerfect 6.1/7/8, to see a picture of a file, click on it then click the Preview button on the toolbar just right of center (in version 6.1, click the View button). Just the thing to make sure it's the correct document, before you delete, print, or move it. 

12. Copy+paste from Preview!
    You can copy text from the File Open screen's Preview image (see tip above); no need to open a document to borrow from it. "Drag" with your mouse to select text -- copy it with Ctrl+C or click the Copy toolbar button. Paste it later into your document with Ctrl+V or click the Paste button.

13. FileOpen "back a level" button.
    In WordPerfect for Windows 7 or 8, a convenient button for changing directory appears on the File Open screen. Click the folder button, just to the right of the directory box (labeled "Look in:"), that shows a right-angled arrow, pointing left and up. This button makes it easy to back out of a directory, moving one step back in the directory path to the parent directory, which contains the current directory.

14. Automatic lines.
    Type three or more hyphens ("- - -") then press ENTER to create a horizontal graphic line stretching across the page from left to right margin. That's how the QuickLines feature works in WordPerfect for Windows 7 or 8, starting from a blank line. Use three or more equal signs ("= = =") then ENTER for a double horizontal line. (In WordPerfect 8, type four or more of them.) If it doesn't work, check the options under Tools, QuickCorrect to turn QuickLines on.

15. Display the dates of your files.
    At the File Open screen, opt for more information: set WordPerfect to show you the "as of" dates of your files. In WordPerfect 7 or 8, simply click the Details button near the center of the toolbar. In 6.x versions, at File, Open, click the Setup button and change Show: from "Filename Only" to "Filename, Size, Date, Time."

16. "Send" files to diskette.
    Here's the easy way to copy a file to diskette: From the File, Open screen, right click on the file and choose Send To, then pick your floppy drive A: or B:. In WordPerfect 8, you can conveniently copy a file directly from your edit screen to diskette with File, Send to.

17. Chron sort.
    To list your files chronologically at the File Open screen, simply click on the "Modified" column heading. In fact, WordPerfect 7 or 8 lets you click on any column heading ("Name", "Size", "Type") to order the files that way; click a second time to reverse the order. (In version 6.1 sort files this way at File, Open: click the Setup button and change "Sort By:" from Filename to Date/Time.)

18. Ctrl+click to select a group of files.
    At the File Open screen, mark a group of files to delete, print, open, copy, or move by holding down the Ctrl key as you click them. After selecting an assortment of files this way in WordPerfect for Windows 6.0 and later, press ENTER to open them all (up to 9), tap the DELete key to erase them, or point to one of the selected files and right click for more options. 

19. Introduce yourself.
    Enter your name by using the Tools, Settings command (Edit, Preferences in WP6.x and 7) and choose Environment. In WordPerfect for Windows 6.0 and later, the name specified will be recorded in the document summary as the default "author" and "typist" of each document created from now on. Specify your initials and pick a color, too; they will be used in the left margin to flag comments.

20. "TIP" flags.
    If you are creating documents such as procedures or forms for on-screen use by others, it helps to add comments that users can optionally view for additional explanation. In WordPerfect for Windows 6.0 and later, first change your environment preferences (see previous tip) to show your initials as "TIP" (and choose a bright color such as red). Now put your cursor where you want the flag to appear, then create your comments with Insert, Comment, Create. People reading the document (on screen) will see a bright red flag labeled "TIP" in the left margin. One mouse click on a flag will display the text of the comment; a double click edits the comment. (In View, Page, readers may need to use the horizontal scroll bar to expose more of the left margin so they can see the flag. If the user has changed the display mode to View, Draft, flags do not appear, instead comments are shown across the screen against a grey background.)

21. Quick paragraph numbers or bullets.
    If WordPerfect for Windows 7 or 8 thinks you are starting a numbered list, it will turn on automatic paragraph numbers. The QuickBullets feature automatically provides bullets or numbers when you begin a new line with a specific clue, such as "1.<Tab>" (one, period, TAB).

    Automatic paragraph numbering starts when you begin a new line with a number, a period, then the TAB key. Type a little bit, then press ENTER and you'll get the next number. Instead of numbers, you may use roman numerals, upper or lower case (such as I.<Tab>), or begin with a letter for a lettered list, upper or lower case (such as A.<Tab>).

    To begin your paragraphs with bullets instead of numbers, begin a new line with a symbol, then the TAB key. For example, asterisk + <Tab> for a small round bullet (•); upper case letter "O" + <Tab> for a large round bullet; or a plus sign + <Tab> for a star.

    (To turn QuickBullets on or off, find it in the options under Tools, QuickCorrect.)

22. Set tabs with ruler bar.
    The Ruler Bar allows you to see your tab settings arrayed as tiny triangles on an inch ruler across the top of your screen. You can easily set and delete tabs with your mouse: Carefully sight with your mouse pointer just below the horizontal ruler line and left click to place a tab setting, drag a triangle down off the line to delete it, or right click for a menu from which to select the type of tab setting (left, center, decimal, etc.) that left clicking will place. You may also adjust your left and right margins by using your mouse to drag the white-on-black arrow symbols at the left or right edge of the ruler bar. Turn the Ruler Bar on or off in WordPerfect 6.1 and 8.0 with View, Ruler; in version 7.0, use View, Toolbars/Ruler and select Ruler Bar.

23. Windows 95 filename extensions.
    Windows 95 wants you to name files with extensions that identify their applications. If you acquiesce and end the filenames of your WordPerfect 7 or 8 documents with ".WPD", you will be able to right click a file to print it from the File Open screen, and the WordPerfect documents you include as e-mail attachments will be easier for recipients to open.

    Solution: Just move the extension to the beginning of the filename; if you begin filenames with a code for the document type (LTR, FAX, MMO, ENV, etc.) you'll still be able to list sets of files, such as LTR*, at the File Open screen.

24. Useful macro #1: Filename Stamp.
    This macro helps with document tracking by printing the document's filename on each page. You can choose header or footer (A or B), the font, alignment (left, right, or center), and filename or path+filename. Especially important in your templates and form documents. FILESTMP.WCM ships with WordPerfect for Windows 6.0 and later.

25. Useful macro #2: Clickable Checkboxes.
    Especially nice if you create forms for filling in on-screen, this macro creates a "ballot box" in your document; click the box with your mouse to turn an "X" on or off in the box. Enlarge the font size to 20 points, and you're ready to vote! CHECKBOX.WCM comes with WordPerfect for Windows 7.0 and later.

GETTING HELP

1. Web resource.
   Corel makes available a knowledge base of technical support information at its http://kb.corel.com web site. Search for solutions and "how-to" memos in the same database of information that the telephone tech support operators use.

2. Monthly magazine.
   WordPerfect Suite Magazine (formerly WordPerfect for Windows Magazine) is published by Ivy Communications, (800) 228-9626. Only $28 per year for monthly coverage of WordPerfect for Windows 6.1/7/8, as well as Quattro Pro and Presentations.

3. Internet discussion.
   Tune in to two news groups for useful discussions:
   
   • bit.listserv.wpcorp-l covers WordPerfect for DOS
     
   • bit.listserv.wpwin-l covers WordPerfect for Windows.

   You'll learn a lot by watching the flow of questions and answers. Join the fun if you have specific questions.

4. Keyboard templates.
   If you use WordPerfect for Windows 7 or 8, you probably noticed that Corel no longer includes a function key template -- the handy plastic strip that defines the function keys. If you still have your template from WordPerfect for Windows 6.1, it will do; the templates for 7.0 and 8.0 include only insignificant changes.

   If you want a function key template, though, don't call Corel; they no longer produce them. You can purchase durable plastic 4-color templates from two mail-order sources:
   

   • IPC, $5, 800-624-2101
     
   • DataCal, $10, 800-223-0123.

   A free template can be had from the Internet. Print your own by pointing your web browser to ftp://ftp.corel.com/pub/WordPerfect/wpwin/70/
   to get the file KBTEMPLT.EXE. Run this program to uncompress the template document.

5. Answers by phone.
   Free technical support is available by telephone for current versions of WordPerfect. For a 24-hour fax or spoken list of Corel tech support numbers call 800-321-5906. The numbers listed are not toll phone free.

6. Buck the tide.
   Call Fridays at the end-of-day for quickest response when calling tech support. Otherwise, you may have to wait on hold ten or fifteen minutes, especially if you call at peak times, such as Monday mornings. 

7. Insert your PIN into Help.
   Calls to Corel tech support will be faster if users can easily find your PIN or Serial Number displayed under Help, About WordPerfect. To insert it in WordPerfect for Windows, click the button marked "Edit Serial Number/PIN".

8. Bookmark Help screens.
   When using the Help function in WordPerfect for Windows, you can easily "dog ear" a help topic to save it for later reference: Click the Options button and select Define a Bookmark in WordPerfect 7 or 8 (just Bookmark in version 6.1). Later, to refer back to that topic, first work your way into a help topic, then select Options, Display a Bookmark.

9. Add notes to Help.
   Add your own typed notes to a help screen! While viewing a help topic in WordPerfect for Windows 7 or 8, select Options, Annotate to view or create a note (in version 6.1, use Edit, Annotate).

WORDPERFECT FOR DOS CLASSIC TIPS

1. "Tap-tap" is the secret knock.
   WordPerfect for DOS offers valuable hidden functions if you tap certain keys twice :
   • List Files/F5 -- Redisplay last List Files screen
     
   • Search/F2 -- Search again (Finds the next occurrence of the search pattern)
     
   • Help/F1 (F3 in 5.x) -- Function key diagram (Lost your keyboard template?)
     
   • Go to/Ctrl+HOME -- Move cursor back to prior position (before last action or major movement)
     
   • Screen/Ctrl+F3 -- Rewrite screen
     
   • Center/Shift+F6 -- Center with dot leaders
     
   • Flush Right/Alt+F6 -- Flush right with dot leaders (snazzy for quick tables)
     
   • Merge Codes/Shift+F9 -- Merge commands pick list (In version 6.x, you must first indicate that you're creating a form document.)

   (In WordPerfect 5.0, only the top five listed work.)

2. Scrolling screen by screen.
   You've probably noticed that when you use the PgUp and PgDn keys to page through a document, it's doing just that -- moving paper page by paper page -- and you're skipping sections of the text.

   To scroll through the document screen by screen, seeing every line, use the plus/minus keys (+/-) on the numeric keypad. (First, make sure Num Lock is off.)

3. Assign text to ALT+# variables.
   Instead of retyping complex or lengthy text, a handy trick is to define it as an Alt+# keystroke. By assigning text to a number variable (0, 1, 2, 3, etc.), it can be easily retrieved to any edit screen by holding down the Alt key and pressing the number (Alt+0, Alt+1, Alt+2, Alt+3, etc.).

   You can define up to ten Alt+# keystrokes this way: Block (highlight) the text, then use Ctrl+PgUp to assign it to a number variable. For example, use Block/Alt+F4 to highlight a name, address block, phone number, or sentence, then press Ctrl+PgUp. (In 6.x versions, at this point, select 1/Assign Variable). At the "Variable:" prompt, type a 1-digit number, such as 3. Now, use Alt+# (Alt+3 in this example) to insert the text at the cursor position -- as many times as you like, at any edit screen.

   Only text may be assigned (TAB and ENTER are okay), no formatting (any codes are lost). Variables may store no more than 1024 characters in WordPerfect for DOS 6.x (only 128 characters in 5.x versions).

   Variables are temporary; they only last until you exit WordPerfect, then they evaporate. However, a simple macro (a set of ASSIGN statements) can easily redefine them for you (and be set to run automatically each time you start WordPerfect with the /M startup switch). This technique offers a handy method for remembering complicated names, phone numbers, addresses, and file or directory names.

DOS TO WINDOWS MIGRATION TIPS

1. Familiar function keys.
   Several function keys work the same in WordPerfect for DOS and Windows: Find/Search (F2), Reveal Codes (Alt+F3), Play macro (Alt+F10), and Record Macro (Ctrl+F10).

2. GOTO to get back.
   If you've migrated from WordPerfect for DOS, you may mistakenly press Ctrl+END (the DOS keystroke to chop the line) and be a bit surprised to find the cursor has jumped to the bottom of the document. To jump right back, use Goto (Ctrl+G), and select Last Position. Using the keyboard, this is done with Ctrl+G, Alt+P, ENTER. The Goto screen offers several convenient movements (top of page, next table, etc.) in all versions of WordPerfect for Windows. Another way to pop up the Goto screen is by double clicking on the date in the status bar (bottom of the screen).

3. F8 "Block" key.
   If you liked the way the old DOS "Block" key worked, meet the F8 "Select" key. It works exactly the same is the old familiar block key for highlighting text. It even includes the handy one-key search function -- tap F8, then press a key to stretch the highlighting to find that keystroke in your text.

4. Move page by page.
   Add the ALT key to PgUp or PgDn to jump from page to page:
   - Alt+PgUp moves up a page (top of previous page)
   - Alt+PgDn moves down a page (top of next page).

IMPROVING SPEED - DOS AND WINDOWS

1. Merge to printer.
   For intensive merge tasks, consider the "merge to printer" technique. By simply adding the {PAGE OFF} and {PRINT} merge codes to the bottom of your form file, this feature converts a 1,000-page print job into 1,000 1-page print jobs. By avoiding memory and network bottlenecks this dramatically increases merging speed, though it may slightly complicate printer sharing. (Works in all DOS and Windows versions.)

2. Graphic on Disk.
   If your frequently used documents include graphics (such as for a logo, letterhead, signature, or watermark), use the "Image on Disk" feature. Otherwise, the graphic is stored within the document, increasing its size and slowing it down. To find this feature, edit the graphic and choose Content to specify Image on Disk. (Works in all DOS and Windows versions.)

3. Close windows to boost performance.
   For speediest response during intensive tasks (merging, sorting, etc.):
   
   • Close all other programs -- multitasking degrades performance.
     
   • Within WordPerfect, close all other document windows.
     
   • If you use WordPerfect for DOS, exit from your multitasking software (if you use Windows, DESQview, etc.) and run WordPerfect directly from DOS.
     
   

4. Setup on your fastest drive.
   If you're in a network environment, test your local drive (C:) against your server to see which is faster, then:
   
   • Install WordPerfect on your fastest drive.
     
   • Use startup switches to direct the work onto your fastest drive (preferably one with plenty of space):
     - /D-C:\ to direct work files onto drive C:
     - /PF-C:\ to direct print files onto drive C:
     (/PF is not available in WordPerfect for Windows.)
     
   

5. Turn off timed backups.
   By eliminating timed backups or decreasing their frequency, you can reduce interruptions that will periodically delay your work (while WordPerfect saves to disk). The trade-off is that you will not have a temporary copy of your active document(s) to help you recover your last few minutes of work in the case of a machine malfunction, power interruption, or software error.

   In WordPerfect for DOS 5.x/6.x, find this under Setup/Shift+F1, 3/Environment, 1/Backup Options, 1/Timed Document Backup. In WordPerfect for Windows 8.0, use Tools, Settings (in versions 7.0 and 6.x use Edit, Preferences), then select Files, and "Timed document backup every ... minutes."

6. WordPerfect, move on in.
   In WordPerfect for DOS, investigate the WP /R startup switch to load it "resident". This keeps a secondary module of the software (the WP.FIL file) in expanded memory, improving response time for certain features.
   
   • There is a tradeoff here. If /R is not used, then WordPerfect can use expanded memory to speed other tasks: to cache large documents, print graphics, preview the document, check spelling, generate, and hyphenate.
     
   • Perform timed tests to see if the features you use will benefit from this.
     (Merging does not benefit from the /R switch.)
     
   • /R is not available with WordPerfect for Windows.
   

TROUBLE SHOOTING - DOS AND WINDOWS

1. Blanket text to remove codes.
   A handy technique for removing format features is to collect them into one patch, for which the code is easily deleted. For example, if you need to rid a document of dozens of patches of italics (or bold, underline, or any other bracketed codes), select (highlight) the entire document then apply italics (Ctrl+I). Turn on Reveal Codes and you'll see an italics code just left of the cursor. Make sure select is off, then tap Backspace to delete the code and you'll find that all instances of italics have been removed from the entire document.

2. Rinse your problems away.
   You may sometimes want to "wash" all codes out of a file to filter out a problem or prepare it for e-mailing to someone who doesn't have WordPerfect. Do this by saving the file in "ASCII (DOS) Generic Word Processor" format to a new filename. Upon re-opening the file, it will hold just plain text, no codes or formatting, and will be universally readable by other programs.

3. Clear your head.
   Sometimes the invisible "header" of codes at the top of a document may become damaged. This is where initial settings are stored for font, margins, tabs, etc. To reset the header, start from a new blank screen, type the letter "X", then insert the damaged file, finish by deleting the "X", then save the file to a new name.