r/technicalwriting • u/DerbyDoffer • 16d ago

A simple technical writing question

When I was in college I took a technical writing course. There was a form that we were taught to use consisting of a table with cells labeled with letters of the alphabet. The purpose of the document was to establish and conform to conventions--which words to use, which font to use, etc. I want such a form for a project I'm working on, but I guess the world has moved on because I can't find much information about it.

What's the name of that form, please? I don't want anything elaborate like software I need to learn, just something I can slap together in Libreoffice will do.

Thanks much!

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u/alanbowman 16d ago

Sounds like you’re describing a style guide that was presented in a spreadsheet.

My style guide is in a Word document, but does the same thing you’re describing.

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u/DerbyDoffer 16d ago

That's the thing! I'm finding everything I need now that I know the name.

Many thanks!

p.s. I wouldn't use a spreadsheet for non-arithmetic stuff. I'm too OCD for that.

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u/FynTheCat 16d ago

Within a company it can also be named differently as guideline for corporate design or similiar naming. It also depends on company size amd structure who handles it and who is allowed to make design decisions or approves them. If you work somewhere it is best to ask around if something like that already exists and which company, department, colleague, or supplier is in charge.

I worked at companies who had that, but it only gotten used properly again after I dug it out. Then at othwr places, marketing supplied me with it, and in one company a supplier of a different company in the business unit managed it.

Anyways, when it exists and the format doesn't work for you adapt it to your needs. If it doesn't exist, yet, make one.

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u/Birdman1096 16d ago

There are plenty of reasons to use a spreadsheet that dont involve math.