Title: WordSnippet
Author: David J. Stein, Esq.
Version: 1.0
Written: December, 2004


Abstract: This application is a plug-in for Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook for inserting predefined text snippets into Word documents or email messages. The text snippets are created simply as a set of text documents within a user-designated file folder, and may be arranged in a series of sub-folders. The plug-in then creates a multi-tier hierarchial menu system based on the files and sub-folders within the main file folder. Selecting any snippet from this menu system inserts the contents of the text document at the current cursor position (or over the current selection) of the current document or email message.

Installation Instructions:

Run the Setup.exe file. (This application has to register some COM components with Microsoft Office, so it's not a simple matter of running an executable.) You also have to take a couple of steps in Word and Outlook to display the WordSnippet menus, but it's a very simple one-time exercise, and the setup documentation explains the steps.

Once the application is installed, you can use the menus embedded in Microsoft Word and the message pane of Microsoft Outlook. You can change the operation of WordSnippet by accessing the WordSnippet Configurator - a link to this program is placed on your Start Menu. Finally, you can uninstall WordSnippet through the standard Windows Add/Remove Programs dialog in the Control Panel.

Operation Instructions: WordSnippet operates by mirroring a "target folder," a part of your file system (your hard drive), as a menu system in a Microsoft application. Each text file within this folder set is displayed as a button in the file system; clicking on the button will insert the text contents of the file into the current document in the Microsoft application.

When you first install WordSnippet, two "target folders" are created - one for Word, and one for Outlook - and both are created as subfolders of C:\Program Files\WordSnippet. You're free to point to different folders, if you like, or to set them both to the same folder to have the same folder set in Word and Outlook.

You can add, edit, or delete the entries on the WordSnippet menu system simply by altering the files and folders in the target folder. WordSnippet monitors changes to the target folder, and instantly updates its menus.

Comments: This application is intended to be extremely simple and straightforward, offering (hopefully) a good balance between ease of use and convenience. The underlying programming is a little tricky, because it tackles a fairly complex task (creating a COM component and registering it with Microsoft Office), and unfortunately, this is inherently very messy. It should run fine, but let me know if you encounter problems.

Application History: This program was written on a whim during a break from the computer science program at Cleveland State University. I was frustrated with the complete inability to maintain snippets of routine text and insert them into standard Microsoft Office documents. I use this application frequently in my daily law practice (and personal life.)

Questions/Comments: Please contact David J. Stein, Esq. via email at djs10@po.cwru.edu. Of course, there is no connection between David J. Stein, Esq. and Microsoft; Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Office are all trademarks of Microsoft, Inc., and permission for their use has not been expressly granted (nor withheld) by Microsoft.

Terms and Conditions of Use: Please see the enclosed "License.html" file for terms and conditions of use of this software package.