Hey! My Author Is Using Word 2008 for the Mac

The WriteRAP system requirements are:

Macintosh

• Mac OS X version 10.2.8 or later

• Safari 2 or later

• Flash Player 8 or later

• Minimum screen resolution of 800x600

• Active Internet connection

• Microsoft Word 2004

• WriteRAP Add-In for Word

Windows

• Windows 2000, ME, XP, Vista, or 7

• Internet Explorer 5.5 or later

• Flash Player 8 or later

• Minimum screen resolution of 800x600

• Active Internet connection

• Microsoft Word 2000, XP 2002, 2003, 2007, or 2010

• WriteRAP Add-In for Word

Notice the gap there? Word 2008 for the Mac is not supported by the WriteRAP system. So what's the deal? Why is that?

First and foremost, you should understand that WriteRAP makes extensive use of VBA. Microsoft decided to remove VBA support from the Word 2008 version. The good news is that VBA support will be re-introduced in the upcoming Word release for Mac. But that leaves Word 2008 out in the cold. Almost.

Word 2008 can be used in an "offline" workflow, by which I mean it can be used outside the normal WriteRAP processes. This entails, of course, several caveats:

• The WriteRAP toolbar will not be available to the user.

• The user is much freer to apply incorrect styles, add styles, etc., that are normally locked down for most users.

However, a user can still

• Attach the template
• Insert boilerplates using a workaround process

The point is that if you have an author working in Word 2008, you are not up a creek without a paddle. An option still exists. However, please speak to you CMS rep or super user to get the full details and discuss thoroughly the implications and definitely bring it up at the launch meeting.