Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I can't see the NATSPEC Toolbar
A. For tips and tricks on how to use SPECbuilder Pro and some Microsoft
Word features that help with the production of specifications, see
NATSPEC
Specification wordprocessing and production.
At times the toolbar may not appear when a NATSPEC worksection is
open. There are a few reasons for this:
1. The Toolbar has been turned off. Check the list of available toolbars under View/Toolbars and make sure the NATSPEC toolbar is ticked
2. The document you have open is not attached to the NATSPEC template (natspec.dot). To check if the document has the NATSPEC template attached just go to Tools/Templates and Add ins.
3.
The incorrect natspec.dot file has been loaded. To be sure you
have the correct one, save this file
to the following location:
c:\Program Files\Natspec\Specbuilder Pro\Word Templates.
When it asks you if you want to replace the existing file say Yes.
Then run/load SPECbuilder Pro. Once you run SPECbuilder Pro the program will copy the natspec.dot file into the correct location on your computer.
Another reason you may not be seeing the NATSPEC Toolbar is you are using your own template (*.dot) file and it doesn’t have the Toolbar macros saved in it. If you haven’t put a lot of work into your template file you can take a copy of the natspec.dot, rename it, and recreate you styles or you can copy the NATSPEC Toolbar to your own template file by going to Tools/Templates and Add ins and clicking on the Organizer button. This allows you to copy toolbars from template to template.
Q. Does NATSPEC work on both Windows and Macintosh?
A.The NATSPEC packages are made up of combinations
of worksections. When you create a project specification, you make copies
of these worksections and edit them in Microsoft Word. As long as you
have Microsoft Word you can use NATSPEC.However, only Windows users
can use SPECbuilder Pro to compile a new project specification.
Q. What is SPECbuilder Pro?
A. SPECbuilder Pro is the easy to use Windows based
program from NATSPEC that enables subscribers to
- create new specifications using NATSPEC and office-edited worksections
- edit, merge and set styles for your specification documents
- organise and add existing project specifications to your Project list.
Please see QUICKstart for more information.
Check out the video! (avi format or mp4 format)
Q. What are the minimum requirements to use NATSPEC?
A. Windows: Windows 98 or later (Windows 95 is not
supported).
Macintosh: OS 8.1 or later.
Microsoft Word: Microsoft Word 97 or later.
The SPECbuilder Pro program takes up approx 27megs of hard disc space,
and the NATSPEC worksections approx 9megs.
Q. How do I subscribe?
A. Simply complete the
Order form and return it to
us. We will mail to you your subscription package which includes the
NATSPEC CD.
Q. How do I find a relevant topic or worksection detail in
my subscription package?
A. Your NATSPEC subscription includes the worksections
in Microsoft format (copies of which you can edit for a project specification),
SPECbuilder Pro (Windows users only), and a number of reference documents
in Acrobat format.
One of the Acrobat documents is a single file of all the worksections in your package. Using the Search feature in Acrobat, you can search for a word, phrase, or any combination of words. This file, and all the other Acrobat documents, are fully searchable.
Q. Why do some worksections have a "b" or "s"
after the classification code?
A. Professional subscribers also receive the Basic
versions of some worksections to use on simpler projects e.g. 0315b
Concrete finishes.
Basic subscribers also receive a number of worksection "Shells".
They are there so that, if you wish to add your specific requirements
or the specialist consultant's specification, the "Shell"
would act as a prompt.
Q. Do I still receive DOMESTIC as part of my BASIC subscription?
A. No. In the Spring 2003 SPECnews subscribers were
forewarned of this change. We still provided a complimentary DOMESTIC
to BASIC subscribers for 2004, but in 2005 BASIC subscribers have to
take out a separate subscription to DOMESTIC ($290 pa).
Q. Where are the guidance notes in the NATSPEC Template Word
files?
A. In order to read the guidance notes you need to
ensure "Hidden text" is turned on. Simply use the "On/Off"
button in the NATSPEC toolbar or do it manually by going to Tools/Options/View
and tick the "Hidden text" box.
Q. After building my specification in SPECbuilder Pro some
of the section Headers remain the same as the previous. How can I fix
this?
A. The headers that remain the "Same As Previous"
have to have that feature turned off. Double click in the header you
want to change and a Header/Footer toolbar will appear. There is a button
called "Same As Previous". It is a toggle button. It will
appear to be pressed in. Just click on it and it will turn off. Do this
for all the headers that are "Same as Previous", then go back
and make the changes you require.
Q. Can the NATSPEC Word files run in the Microsoft Works Suite?
A. You can open the NATSPEC Word files in Microsoft
Works but some of the features will be lost in the translation. Mostly
these are formatting features. The text is converted fully including
symbols. The problems you may encounter are as follows:
- The hidden text in Word converts to normal text in Works. It does keep most of its formatting e.g. the text is smaller and green and is boxed, but Works does not have a hidden text feature.
- Most of the formatting does convert but there are some intermittent problems (e.g. no borders, spacing is tighter, bullets converted to numbered lists.
- No styles.
- Tables convert okay.
So if you must, it is possible to use NATSPEC in Microsoft Works but you will lose out on many of the features that make Word more efficient and there will be a lot of manual formatting that will need to be done. Also SPECbuilder Pro does not work with Microsoft Works.
Q. As SPECbuilder Pro is not Mac compatible what can I do to
build a specification?
A. Mac users have been provided with a complete package
file in Word. Edit this document by deleting worksections not needed
then save it as your Office Edited document. Or take copies of the worksections
you require and manually cut and paste them together to form one document.
Q. After building my specification in SPECbuilder Pro I am
getting an error message in my Table of Contents. How can I fix this?
A. Simply right click over the table and choose "Update
field". This will update the table to reflect your contents.
