Separate documents v large single document

C

C Tate

I have heard it said that it is often better to create many single documents
rather than try to deal with a single, long one. For example, if creating a
thesis or a manual which contains many diagrams etc it would be better to
create different chapters as single documents, then create a table of
contents spanning the whole set.

I understand this is something to do with the stability of the document and
that there is less chance of a document corrupting in this way.

What is the general opinion of the MVPs on this matter?
 
R

RGBrasel

I've heard that the maximum size (including graphics) was or is 32 MB. If
you're writing something larger and very graphics-intensive, I'd consider
Adobe FrameMaker--but it's about $500.00. Unfortunately, I don't have it.

I write a lot of online help documentation for proprietary software systems,
and I create them in Word. To prevent the document from corrupting, I create
a hub file which connects to other smaller files in a hierarchical system.
(I use Doc-to-Help, which uses Word as its editor.) That way, I can have
what would otherwise be a 100MB Word document, but in a stable format. You
may be able to emulate that in Word using hyperlinks and having each chapter
in its own file.

RGBrasel
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

No, the maximum size for the text alone (not counting graphics) is 32 MB. I
think you'll find most MVPs and other power users will recommend keeping
long documents in a single file insofar as possible. Although it is possible
to create a TOC or index spanning multiple documents, it is much, much
easier to do in a single document, and outline numbering and pagination
become truly a nightmare in multiple documents.
 
D

Daiya Mitchell

One of the main things MVPs recommend is that you use a single document
rather than trying to use Master Documents (which don't work) to tie
together many chapters.

Once the majority of composing is done, there is little need for separate
chapters--certainly for the final printed version, it is usually easier to
assemble it all in one document if you need things like outline numbering,
TOC, index, cross-references, etc.

More advice on long documents linked from here:
http://daiya.mvps.org/bookword.htm
 
C

C Tate

Thanks for the advice! Given that I do have a number of separate documents
however, what is the best way to join them together since master documents
are a no-go area?
 
C

C Tate

Duh! I think I am losing my marbles. Somehow I didn't think it would be that
simple. I thought all my styles might go wonky.
 
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