Master Document

[Alan]

Last week Microsoft Word 2002 was put on my work computer. I continue to use Atlantis for word processing but needed a Master Document feature to cover all the models we make and allow one change to appear in all the related models. After several hours I was unable to create a Master Documet with 2 columns.

My feature request is to be able to do Master Documents in Atlantis. I found this was talked about in 2002 and 2004 by doing a search. Currently I will hand type the first documents then do cut & paste into new related documents with Atlantis.

[Robert]

My feature request is to be able to do Master Documents in Atlantis. I found this was talked about in 2002 and 2004 by doing a search. Currently I will hand type the first documents then do cut & paste into new related documents with Atlantis.

Greetings–
The current priority for Atlantis is the table feature. So for the time being, Master Documents are not on the agenda.

Now there is more. I am not sure that the Master Document feature should ever become a priority at all for Atlantis.

With one exception only, all the Microsoft MVPs answering queries in the Microsoft newsgroups strongly recommend that MS Word users should stay away from the MS Word Master Document feature. Here is from news://microsoft.public.word.pagelayout:

“Sorry, I don't have an answer because I don't use Master Documents. However, you may need the reason I don't more than you need an answer. "Master Document" is a term of art in Word referring to a "feature" that not only doesn't work but also destroys documents. The consensus (with the limited exception of Steve Hudson) among those offering advice on these newsgroups is that using the Master Document feature is a good way to destroy your document. It can destroy parts of your document that you are not even working on! I think John McGhie said it succinctly when he said that there are two kinds of Master Documents: Those that are corrupt and those that will be corrupt soon.
See http://www.addbalance.com/word/masterdocuments.htm for information on the Master Document feature and workarounds.
See http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/General/W ... orrupt.htm for more information on what goes wrong, and http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/General/R ... erDocs.htm for ideas on how to salvage what you can.
See http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/magaz ... erdocs.doc for Steve Hudson's instructions if you are willing to follow them very carefully.
--
Charles Kenyon”

If you want to read the whole thread, go to http://groups.google.com/group/microsof ... 160f634163

Cheers
Robert

[billybob]

Agreed, the Master Document feature in MS Word is a travesty. Anyone who uses it takes a chance of losing a manuscript. But, this feature can be implemented correctly. It works safely, and as advertised, in WordPerfect and StarOffice. The benefits to a writer are tremendous. Chapters can be written and saved in individual files, them assembled in complete manuscript form for pagination and printing. I have asked for this feature several times in the past, and I hope Atlantis does not abandon the possibility of adding a Master Document feature because it works so poorly in MS Word. It can work, and since Atlantis is probably the best tool available for writers, adding this feature would be a great fit. Please keep it on your TODO list.

[Sentosa]

The current priority for Atlantis is the table feature. So for the time being, Master Documents are not on the agenda.

Now there is more. I am not sure that the Master Document feature should ever become a priority at all for Atlantis.

...Microsoft newsgroups strongly recommend that MS Word users should stay away from the MS Word Master Document feature.

I have taken these quotes from a thread of long standing. The bold face is my addition.

I want to reinforce the value the Master Document feature to writers. It is invaluable when writing documents that might contain upwards of 100 chapters, and 200,000 words.

I've used WordPerfect from version 1 to v13. Don't like the new interface, but the Master Doc feature is great. I've had no problems with Master Documents in StarOffice.

I notice from other posts that Tables has been listed as the top priority since at least 2006 (and possibly longer). This has been given as the reason for not looking at Master Documents.

Can I humbly suggest that a top priority that lasts for at least 4 years should not ne classed as a priority?