Setting Default Fonts and Formatting in ClarisWorks 5.0

The "default" settings are those that are set automatically when you create a new document. For example, if the default font is "Times New Roman", any time you create a new word processing document the font would automatically be set to Times New Roman.

Default settings are typically stored on the hard drive of the computer. Most machines in the District use software (PCRDist) that periodically "resets" the hard drive. This software cleans up the hard drive, but it also undoes any custom default settings that you have may have set. (If you do NOT use PCRDist, see the non-PCRDist version of these directions.)

Because PCRDist undoes any custom settings you create, you cannot use the Preferences... option in the Edit menu or the "Default Stationery Documents" to save your custom settings. Instead, you would:

  1. Create a stationery document. (Click here to learn more about stationery documents.)
  2. Save it in your folder on the file server.
  3. Open the stationery document any time you want to use your custom settings.

To Create a Stationery Document:

  1. Prepare a document that contains all the text, pictures, formatting, and options that you need. (For example, create a new word processing document with custom margins of 1/2 inch.)

  2. Choose Save As... from the File menu.

  3. In the Save As dialog box, type a {File name} that will remind you of the purpose of the stationery document. (For example, "Word Processing Template")

  4. Choose "ClarisWorks Stationery (*.cws)" from the {Save as type} pop-up menu.

  5. Navigate to your folder on the file server. I.e., be sure your folder's name appears in the {Save in} box at the top of the window. (You can use the pop-up menu by clicking on the downward pointing triangle and locating your folder on the file server, usually on the J: drive.)

  6. Click the [Save] button.

  7. Close your document. You don't need to "Save the changes" since you just did that, so click [Don't Save].

To Create a New Document Using Your Stationery Document:

  1. Start up ClarisWorks.

  2. Select Open... from the File menu.

  3. Navigate to your folder on the file server--i.e., be sure your folder's name appears in the {Look in} box at the top of the window.

  4. Change the {Files of type} box to "ClarisWorks Stationery (*.cws)".

  5. Select your stationery document and click [Open].

  6. A new "Untitled" document will be created, with all the characteristics of your stationery document.

  7. Edit and save this document as you would any new document.

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Problems or Concerns?  Email Steve Webster
Last updated 08/28/04