Optimizing Word for Worldox

I never cease to be surprised at how infrequently users do even minimal customization of Word to make it easier to use. Here are some simple things you can do to significantly increase your efficiency. First, edit the shortcut you use to start Word by putting a “/m” switch after the word.exe executable (with a space ....word.exe” /m). This will force Word to start using Worldox functions directly and bypass a lot of the garbage that Microsoft brings up when you open or save documents.

Second, and most important, customize the Quick Access Toolbar. This is a small toolbar that usually sits on top of the ribbon bar at the left of the screen. By default, there are only a few functions: Save, Back, Restore, etc. Right-click and select “Customize Quick Access Toolbar.” I typically add at least the following:

SaveAs

New

Open

Print

Then, at the top click nest to “Popular Commands” and scroll down to “Worldox Tab”. I add File Close and Exit Word. This last is useful because many firms follow the Worldox default in preventing users from click on the “Red X” at the top right corner of Word to exit, since this can disrupt the Worldox audit trail.

This leaves you with a number of key functions accessible with a single click instead of having to open File and scroll down for the function you want. Much more efficient.

And of course, if you are a keyboard person (as I am) there are the even more efficient shortcuts: Ctrl-O (Open), Ctrl-S (Save), Ctrl-P (Print), Ctrl-C (Copy), Ctrl-V (Paste) and Ctrl-X (Delete).