Word 2000 in a Nutshell is a clear, concise, and complete reference to the world's most popular word-processing program. This book is the first choice of the Word power user who needs help completing a specific task or understanding a command. It's also an invaluable resource that uncovers Word 2000's undocumented features and shares powerful time-saving tips. The book's organization offers several ways to find information quickly. Part One is a thorough overview of the Word interface that serves as a roadmap for the rest of the book. This section also empowers users with an under-the-hood perspective on Word and shows how customizable Word really is. Part Two is a detailed reference to every command in Word's menu bar, from the File menu right across to the Help menu. Each entry is illuminated with straightforward explanations, clear instructions, and tips on making the most of Word's features. Part Three takes up some of Word's advanced features, with chapters on collaborating, creating a template, using VBA, and more. Specific topics covered in the book include:

• Understanding Word's global architecture

• Customizing toolbars, menus, shortcuts, and context menus

• Creating and using templates

• Mastering fields and forms

• Making the most of Word's HTML capability

• Discovering the power of master documents

• Getting started with Word macros

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 9 Ratings

Just what an O'Reilly book should be - 2001-06-14
Reviewer Rating:
I didn't get this book from Amazon, but I had to write a review anyway. First of all, this is a typical O'Reilly book (unlike what the other reviewers say). If you want a tutorial book, try one of the other three hundred Word books that people put out. They are all simple hand-holding tutorial books. This one is a reference, like it says right on the cover. It has all the little details you'd want to know about any feature that otherwise you'd have to spend so much time looking for (if you can find it at all).

The first three chapters are more than an overview. The first chapter gives you an overview of Word and shows you where you can find stuff in the book. The second chapter looks at all the nuts and bolts of how Word works. The third chapter shows all about customization and is worth the price of the book, in my opinion.

The middle section is divided up into the menus and commands and it's very detailed. The third section shows some tasks that you can do that don't really fit into the menu chapters.

To the guy who said the writer wastes time getting to the point, I don't know what you're talking about. There's almost know fluff in this whole book. Just details. And to the guy who gave it one star, I think you're problem is with the Word program and this is just not the book for you.

This book is not for beginners. It says so right in the title (Power Users Reference). It doesn't teach you how to do simple things. It's for people who already know how to use Word and need a good, solid reference. Mine's dogeared all over the place!

An excellent reference, but not a tutorial or instructions - 2004-10-09
Reviewer Rating:
This is not a manual for Microsoft Word, and that's a good thing. Like O'Reilly's other "nutshell" books, it is a reference, a place to look when you want to know what a particular command in Word does, or how it works. Those who review it poorly because it's not user-centered or sufficiently instructional are really looking for a different book.

I've used Word for the better part of two decades, yet when I read Glenn's book in preparing to give a seminar on the application, I learned a ton about what the program is doing behind the scenes--which helped me understand and avoid some of the many frustrations I've had with Word over the years. If you're already comfortable with the program, this book will be a wealth of information. But if you're just starting out, try something else first. Track down a copy of "Word 2000 in a Nutshell" for later, when Word's idiosyncrasies start to bug you.

The book isn't perfect: the complex subject of styles based on templates, and how they interrelate when merged with other styles, could stand some more discussion. And there have been no updates for more recent versions of Word--the book is nearly five years old now, and is starting to show its age.

An excellent reference, but not a tutorial or instructions - 2004-10-09
Reviewer Rating:
This is not a manual for Microsoft Word, and that's a good thing. Like O'Reilly's other "nutshell" books, it is a reference, a place to look when you want to know what a particular command in Word does, or how it works. Those who review it poorly because it's not user-centered or sufficiently instructional are really looking for a different book.

I've used Word for the better part of two decades, yet when I read Glenn's book in preparing to give a seminar on the application, I learned a ton about what the program is doing behind the scenes--which helped me understand and avoid some of the many frustrations I've had with Word over the years. If you're already comfortable with the program, this book will be a wealth of information. But if you're just starting out, try something else first. Track down a copy of "Word 2000 in a Nutshell" for later, when Word's idiosyncrasies start to bug you.

The book isn't perfect: the complex subject of styles based on templates, and how they interrelate when merged with other styles, could stand some more discussion. And there have been no updates for more recent versions of Word--the book is nearly five years old now, and is starting to show its age.

One star is one too many! - 2003-03-03
Reviewer Rating:
This book is a waste of my time and money. I purchased this book to learn about using Word 2000. It is poorly organized and may as well be written in Chinese. It would be great for super chip-head computer geeks perhaps, but beyond that, a complete loss. I'll take $ .50 for it.

Word 2000 in a Nutshell - 2006-11-03
Reviewer Rating:
Segments of information on one topic are scattered in various locations of the book, i.e., one can't get an answer to a particular question when there is no immediate continuity for a topic in one area.

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