The PerfectIt Blog

Here you will find tips and tricks for more efficient editing techniques and improved content. Explore a wealth of ideas, practical advice, and industry best practices that will help you save time while improving the quality of your written documents.

Medical Writing PerfectIt Medical Writing PerfectIt

Capitalizing on Drug Names

Drug manufacturing is a capitalist business. We know this because, pretty much without exception, drug manufacturers handle their brand names in ALL CAPITALS: “The gold standard in maintenance treatment for reticulated spline is KYDATID® (roftlomulast).” But does that mean you have to handle it that way too?

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It Makes Sense to Use Sensitive Language

Editing has several “golden rules”—plus quite a lot of silver and bronze ones, too—but high on the list is the classic Golden Rule we were taught as children: Treat others as you would have them treat you. What this means, among other things, is take care not to use language that treats some people as intrinsically inferior. Use sensitive language: as inclusive, conscious, and unbiased as possible.

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Business of Editing PerfectIt Business of Editing PerfectIt

The Basics of Find and Replace in Word

In the Wildcard Cookbook for Microsoft Word, you’ll learn how to build your own wildcard searches with detailed screenshots and instructions. You will gain the confidence you need to implement these time-saving strategies in your work. And if you love the idea of wildcards but are not ready to write your own, the Wildcard Cookbook includes real-world examples that you can simply copy and paste!

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Business of Editing PerfectIt Business of Editing PerfectIt

Searching with Wildcards in Word

Are you getting the most you can from Microsoft Word? Wildcard search is one of the most powerful features in Word. You can use it to quickly find errors and make changes throughout a document in a matter of seconds. In this article, you'll learn how to use “@” and “?” in your word wildcard searches.

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PerfectIt PerfectIt

Using Wildcards to Replace Hyphens Between Numbers with En Dashes

Are you getting the most you can from Microsoft Word? Wildcard search is one of the most powerful features in Word. You can use it to quickly find errors and make changes throughout a document in a matter of seconds. In this article, learn how to use Word wildcards to replace hyphens between numbers with en dashes.

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Business of Editing Daniel Heuman Business of Editing Daniel Heuman

Using Wildcards to Ensure Commas and Periods Are Outside Quotation Marks

Are you getting the most you can from Microsoft Word? Wildcard search is one of the most powerful features in Word. You can use it to quickly find errors and make changes throughout a document in a matter of seconds. In this article, learn how to use Word wildcards to ensure commas and periods are outside ending quotation marks.

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Business of Editing PerfectIt Business of Editing PerfectIt

Using Wildcards to Ensure Commas and Periods Are Inside Quotation Marks

Are you getting the most you can from Microsoft Word? Wildcard search is one of the most powerful features in Word. You can use it to quickly find errors and make changes throughout a document in a matter of seconds. However, wildcards can be complicated. In this article, learn how to use Word wildcards to ensure commas and periods are inside quotation marks.

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Business of Editing Zygmunt Andrew Spray Business of Editing Zygmunt Andrew Spray

Using Wildcards to Change Chicago-Style Number Ranges to Regular-Style Number Ranges

Are you getting the most you can from Microsoft Word? Wildcard search is one of the most powerful features in Word. You can use it to quickly find errors and make changes throughout a document in a matter of seconds. In this article, learn how to use Word wildcards to change Chicago-style number ranges to regular-style number rangers.

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Technical Writing, Business of Editing PerfectIt Technical Writing, Business of Editing PerfectIt

The 2020 Guide to Using Word Wildcards

Your anguished cry rings out in the middle of the night: “Why, oh why, did I accept this stupid freelance job?” You know the answer: The client offered you twice as much money as you’d ordinarily get for a job like this because the deadline is tight. But now that deadline is looming, and there’s still a lot of work ahead. If only you knew how to use wildcard find and replace!

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Styles PerfectIt Styles PerfectIt

Managing Multiple Styles in PerfectIt

PerfectIt makes it easy to set up a unique style sheet for every client, journal, publishing house, or agency that you work with. However, clients have preferences that overlap; and you probably have some preferences that apply to all clients. So what’s the best way to organize styles in PerfectIt?

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Business of Editing PerfectIt Business of Editing PerfectIt

Don’t Stop Writing!

At last! You have your idea, you have your outline, you have the time, and you have your blank screen in front of you. Nothing can stop you from writing now! Nothing? Well, except the phone, emails, social media, self-doubt, and even the software you’re using… Writing is hard. It requires focus and momentum. Even if you think you can deal with the distractions, it doesn’t take much to send your train of thought off the rails.

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Legal Writing PerfectIt Legal Writing PerfectIt

Four Ways PerfectIt Keeps You from Embarrassing Yourself in Legal Docs

How do you feel when you unwittingly show the public your private thoughts? It’s bad enough in your personal life, but when you practice law, there can be real consequences when your exposed private thoughts relate to a client representation. In addition to public humiliation, there’s also professional reprimand for disclosing client confidences. It’s not just what you say, it’s also what you write—or decided not to write.

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