Word like software that allows quick unit changes?

[legocitytruck]

Is there any software that acts like a word document in that you can edit text but has a button such that all the values in the document can be quickly changed from English to Metric units?

Basically, I have a standard document that I make slight adjustments to based on the project, but I have to have and update two of them, one for Metric and one for English units. Maybe there is a way to have just one?

 

[corkyg]

Since Word characters for such values are text, they can be mass edited as text, but you have to do that. Values are not keyed as related items, so there is no common way to change them all at once. For the future, why not perenthetically include both metric and English values so the reader can simply choose?

 

[TSDible]

You could do it with MS Word and a macro... But it seems like more work than just having two documents that are the same except for the units...

 

[postmark]

Why not have the document pull those unguis in from excel. Then you can have the excel sheet do the calculations for you and it's way easier to edit numbers in excel.

 

[corkyg]

The Excel link can work - but that's a lot of effort and a good chance for errors. The simple solution will save money and time - have one document with both values in parentheses and just let the reader use whichever is best. That way the reader does not have to do anything but read, and you only hsve one document instead of two.

 

[legocitytruck]

You could do it with MS Word and a macro... But it seems like more work than just having two documents that are the same except for the units...

Is it possible to establish a macro in Word that acts as a button at the top of the page? Unfortunately, due to the doument recepients, the documents can't have user selectable units.

 

[IronWing]

I wonder if you can use css styles in Word to accomplish this? You would still have to hand enter everything in both units and assign a class to each.

 

[postmark]

Is it possible to establish a macro in Word that acts as a button at the top of the page? Unfortunately, due to the doument recepients, the documents can't have user selectable units.

Sure it's doable. But if you really must do it I still suggest the excel method I previously mentioned

 

[sweenish]

Then the excel document has to always travel with the word document, or be in a universally accessible location. It's not the best.

The easiest way would just be to include both units in the document.

Or know your audience and choose appropriately.

 

[postmark]

I would guess that once the changes are made he publishes the document which means the excel sheet does not have to travel with it.