Description

If this course is full, join the waitlist.

✓  Have you always been curious about macros but never took the time to try them?
✓  Or maybe you have tried to learn macros but couldn’t quite “get” them?
✓  Are you unsure what macros are but would like to edit more efficiently?
✓  Do you already use some macros but would like a comprehensive introduction to all that is available?
✓  Do you want the support of live sessions to help you get macros to work on your computer?

Macros are free editing tools (for PC and Mac) that work inside of Word to help you be more productive and accurate. They are super quick and easy to use once you know the basics about how to install them.

“Word Macros A to Z” simplifies macros into small, easy-to-understand chunks and teaches you how to make them work for you. The course is spread over six weeks to allow plenty of time for you to build your knowledge, put macros into practice, and get support if you have issues.

Editors use macros to optimize a wide variety of functions, including:

• analyzing a document for consistency issues like identifying global inconsistencies with proper nouns, the formatting of lists, hyphenation, and spelling
• performing repetitive tasks more quickly and more accurately than we can manually, like looking up words in an online dictionary, changing numerals to text, and inserting comments with boilerplate text
• preventing editing errors by changing a document’s background color when you toggle track changes on/off and identifying sentences with missing end punctuation.

During this hands-on course, you will learn everything you need to know about how to:

• install and run macros
• assign keyboard shortcuts
• feel confident about the safety of using macros
• discover macros for the type of editing you do
• adjust macros to suit your needs
• incorporate macros into your existing workflow
• pair macros with other editing tools you already use, like PerfectIt.

Over the six weeks, you will gain experience using many types of macros so that by the last week you will have assembled a set of macros attuned to the type of editing you do. The variety of macros available means that no two editors use the exact same ones.

For editors who have some experience with macros, the course will give you a comprehensive understanding of the variety of macros available (there are nearly 1,000) along with an optional intermediate lesson each week that lets you dive deeper.

Expect to spend up to 1.5–2 hours each week (including class time and assignments) working on the course at an easy pace—roughly 20 minutes each weekday. (Week 1 will require slightly more time as the material is a prerequisite for the rest of the course.)

Each week a written lecture will provide an overview of the material and videos will demonstrate the macros (on both a PC and a Mac) covered that week. Homework assignments will give you practical experience using different types of macros in the context of your work. You can get answers to your questions and help with technical problems from the instructor in the discussion forum and the three Zoom sessions. (Attendees will decide the dates for the Zoom sessions in the first week.)

Jennifer Yankopolus is an editor with more than 20 years of experience working with architecture and design books and firms. She holds a master’s degree in architectural history from Georgia Tech and a professional certificate in copyediting from the University of California, San Diego.

What Former Students Have to Say:

“This is the best professional course I have ever taken. The materials were at just the right levels, your presentation was spot-on, the flow from one point to the next made perfect sense, and you were so hands-on with individual issues and questions. The course was just right for easing the hesitant (me) into macros, from a perfect basic start point with getting macros copied and loaded to revising and creating your own macros….and then the final suggestions for workflows are very helpful.” —Donna Cunningham

“This was the most complete and well-organized class I have ever taken. The title should be ‘Macros – From 0 to 60 in 6 Weeks!’ This course is a fantastic value for the level of learning and support Jennifer offered.”

“I would absolutely recommend this course to colleagues. It was so beneficial to my efficiency and effectiveness at work.”

“Thank you so much for your time in introducing us to the world of macros! You did a great job of demystifying them and presenting them in a way that was not intimidating or too technical. My comfort level with macros has grown exponentially and I am looking forward to using them in my work along with the other tools I already know.” —Aime Sund

“Learning something I had no knowledge of to such an extent that it will make a difference in my work life.”

“This class made learning macros easy, and they started helping me with my editing right away. I particularly enjoyed how responsive the instructor was to questions and problems.”

“This was the most instantly helpful class I have had when it comes to doing my work faster, better, and more easily. It was an excellent experience start to finish. I also especially enjoyed having discussions with the instructor and other working editors who are established and looking to further develop their skills. Jennifer is an excellent instructor. I would take another course with her again and highly recommend her to other editors. I would also love to see more courses like this at the EFA! Macros make our work easier and free us up to do our work well. Paul Beverly has given us a huge gift here.”