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Creating a Software Training Manual

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Sajan, Nov 26, 2013.

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  1. Sajan

    Sajan Member

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    Does anyone have any templates or tips/tricks on creating a guide for a software in Word or similar software?

    I want to create a user friendly and clean looking guide with screenshots and steps.

    Thanks!
     
  2. ipaman

    ipaman Member

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    simple tip, create table with 2 columns. left column leave blank or number and right column add text/pics. the columns help you align your screenshots.
     
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  3. SwoLy-D

    SwoLy-D Member

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    ^ Good stuff. I do that all the time. :eek: It's easy to follow for a reader.

    Also, you can create bullet points on the left hand side and continue them on the next row down without problem. OR, you can draw lines with the table marker after doing the bullet points.

    Another tip:
    You can also use the Insert -> Screenshot -> Screen Clipping tool in Word to include a specific portion of the screen if you want to display how it looks on the software.

    Compress your example graphics to minimize the size of your finished document.

    :cool:

    Three steps to teaching people:
    Tell them what you're going to teach them.
    Teach them.
    Teall them what you taught them.
     
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  4. Jugdish

    Jugdish Member

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    Three columns:
    • Step (step number)
    • Action (what the user is to do during this step)
    • Diagram (screenshot)
    The screenshots in a procedure do not need to be large. My template's diagram column is 3.31" wide. Screenshots are just there for reference--the user will have the actual screen in front of their face while going through the steps, so why show it at 100%?
     
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