This is a page for all Microsoft Publisher users. The tips here include submissions from users like you, as well as observations from our pre-press and design staff. Refer often to these tips to help you get a clean, flawless piece
Keyboard Shortcuts
Page layout programs like Publisher are, to a large degree, about
formatting text into a legible and inviting configuration. And page
layout pros save a lot of time by using keyboard shortcuts for
their most often used actions. To that end, here are some keyboard
shortcuts for some often used text formatting options:
Ctrl+B for bold text
Ctrl+U for underline
Ctrl+I for italic
Ctrl+= for superscript
Ctrl+Shift+= for subscript
Ctrl+Shift+K for small caps
Ctrl+Spacebar removes all style formats from the highlighted
text
Ctrl+Shift+f accesses the font menu, arrow keys select, and enter
changes the selected text to that font
Ctrl+Shift+P accesses the font size menu, arrow keys select size,
and enter enables the change
Ctrl+Shift+> increases the font size by a half point
Ctrl+Shift+< decreases the font size by a half point
Page Sizes
You can start a new document or
change a current document to any page size you like. Simply go to
File/Page Setup and under the option 'Choose a Publication Layout'
select Special Size. Under the option "Choose a Publication Size'
select Custom. You may then enter in the physical dimensions of
your printed piece making sure the orientation is correct. Once
complete, click 'OK' and you may begin your design.
The Nudge Option
For a high degree of control over the positioning of objects on the
page use the nudge option. Just select the object you need to move
and use Alt+Arrowkey (up, down, right, left) and your object will
move one pixel for each keystroke. Use Arrange-->Nudge to change
the increment of movement.
Absolute Positioning
Even better, go to
Format-->Size And Position and use numerical values to position
and size objects. This is the absolute best way to make sure things
will look right when you are going to press with a design. Trying
to position objects by eye on your monitor can be deceiving because
of the relatively large size of the pixels it uses to display
objects. Do the math and use this method when you want your design
elements to be positioned exactly.
Grouping Elements
After you have a section of your layout positioned very precisely
it might be a good idea to select all the items (hold down the
shift key and click on each one) and then group them together using
Arrange-->Group Objects or (Ctrl+Shift+G). This will lock them
together in their relative positions. This is especially useful if
you will need to duplicate this configuration somewhere else in
your layout; copy and paste the group to another page and you will
have perfect consistency throughout your layout.
Automatic Wrapping
You don't have to press Enter (return) at the end of each line,
just at the end of a paragraph. Simply type away and let Publisher
wrap the text automatically. This may save you lots of time,
especially if you decide to change your type size later--you won't
have to go back and take out all those extra Enter commands. If you
need to make a line end shorter than a full line, use Shift-Enter,
called a soft return.
One Space, or Two?
Instead of putting two spaces after each sentence, just put one.
This is a standard in the industry.
Putting Things in the Background
Publisher uses foreground and background layers. Your work will go
on the foreground by default unless you set it to be in the
background. You might want to use images or text in the background.
Here's how to do it: choose View-->Go To Background. This will
take you to the background of the publication.
Remember to Print a Hard Copy
It's very easy to miss mistakes in your document when you're
looking at it only on the screen. Print it out and look at it .
Check for spelling errors, spacing problems, inconsistencies, and
design problems. If your project is going to be folded then fold
the printout you made to see if the elements on the page are
positioned right on the panels and to see if there are any problems
with folding it the way you had envisioned.
Spacing and Alignment
Check the alignment of frames, text, pictures and captions. It
should be consistent throughout your publication. Also check
spacing between headings, paragraphs, and pictures. The spacing
should be consistent throughout your publication.
Spelling and Punctuation
Don't forget to check your spelling, punctuation and grammar. Run
the spell checker; select Tools-->Spelling-->Check Spelling.
Another good one is to check the accuracy of hyphenation: select
Tools-->Language-->Hyphenation. It's a good idea to have
someone else look at it too. They may see something you've been
looking at and missing.
