Opening a Manuscript Text File

A manuscript text file is the file that contains the full manuscript. It is created by combining individual files according to instructions found in a manuscript control file (an .MSC file). Nota Bene manuscript text files have the .MST extension. Each time a manuscript text file is opened, Nota Bene creates a new file incorporating the latest version of each component file. The manuscript text file can be edited and/or printed as you would edit or print any Nota Bene file. Each time a manuscript text file is closed, NB writes the changes back to the individual component files and deletes the manuscript text file. The .MST file contains markers indicating the names of individual files along with date and time-stamp information.

If for some reason Nota Bene is shut down while this file exists, the next time you start NB you will receive an error message that the file already exists and that you should overwrite the existing file or choose a new name without the MST extension.

To open a manuscript text file:

1	Make sure that none of the component files are open.

2	Click File, Manuscript Files

3	Click the radio button for Edit Existing Manuscript File. Type in the location and filename of the manuscript control file or browse to select the file.

4	Click the radio button to Open Manuscript Text File For Editing

5	Click OK. Your manuscript text file with the .MST extension will be created and called to screen for viewing and editing.

Note that you should not open any of the component files while the MST file is open.

The MST file can be used only on the computer on which it was created. If you need to use the MST file on another computer or transmit it to someone else, you should first save the file as an NB file or as an RTF file. See Transmitting a Manuscript to Others.

The Layout/Element Map provides a convenient way of viewing the structure of the manuscript, moving through the document, editing elements, and making sure that it is consistent. Click View, Layout/Element Map or press Alt+Y to open this map on the left side of your screen. See Layout/Element Map.