Sometimes, you need special formatting to draw attention to your text. These are some formatting and word processing tips for Microsoft Word, but they can also be used with other word processors or desktop publishing software.

To make a degree mark, type a small "o" next to your number. Highlight the "o" and select Format. Then click Font. Select the Superscript check box. (All other text after that will be in superscript. You'll need to change the formatting back to the normal style.)

Use the superscript option for trademark and registration mark symbols.

Use the superscript option for chemical or mathematical symbols.

To insert a special character or symbol in your document, put the cursor in the correct location on your page. Click Insert and then click Symbol. Select the desired font. Select the image. Click Insert. Then click Close. Your selection appears in your document. MS Word offers a variety of symbols, special characters, and graphics in this functionality.

To use a picture or another symbol for your bulleted lists, click Format and Bullets and Numbering. On the Bullets tab, select an option with bullets (not the "None" option). Click Customize and Character. Select the desired character. Click OK twice. You will return to your document. Now when you select bullets, you'll see your customization. (There is also a reset feature that allows you to return to the application's original settings.)

For word processed documents that are designed to be printed, you should use true printers' quotes (smart quotes). This does not usually apply to web documents because in many cases, special characters do not translate well with web fonts. For apostrophes and quotation marks, they should have a curlicue look to them and not just a hash or tick mark. You can set this as an automatic feature in MS Word. Click Tools and select AutoCorrect Options. Click on the AutoFormat As You Type tab. Select "Straight Quotes" with "Smart Quotes." This will set the formatting from this point forward for your documents. If more than one person works on a document, you could see a variety of quotation mark styles. You can also use your search/replace feature to get rid of the straight style.

Use your search/replace feature to help you clean up your document. You can use this functionality to find and correct all instances of a word/phrase or formatting.

These suggestions should help you create formatting to highlight your document's message.

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