Comparison with WordPerfect
In Corel WordPerfect, it's possible to move the codes around in the Reveal Codes window. For example, if you "picked up" a Bold tag, you could reposition it in the Reveal Codes window to move the point ("insertion point") where the bold text started or ended. One could also delete a tag and remove the effect of that tag on the text in the main window.
Word works differently from WordPerfect. Instead of having a flowing model like WordPerfect where attributes could be "moved" a short distance in the text or a long distance or even be inserted as new, attributes in Word are more or less fixed. Word applies formatting to groups only. Groups can consist of single words, sentences, paragraphs, the entire document, and, essentially, an entire group of documents (if all adhere to the same style and template). The codes shown in CrossEyes are (in most cases) access to the controls for the formatting in Word.
In WordPerfect, a single code in Reveal Codes, such as "JustifyCenter" can appear only once, and it will have an effect until some other code, such as "JustifyLeft" changes the justify attribute. The User's Guide for CrossEyes points out that former WordPerfect users may not expect to find the paragraph attributes listed at the end of the paragraph, but this is a side-effect of Word's treating the paragraph as a group. Because paragraph alignment is part of the paragraph's style effects in Word, CrossEyes shows the name of the style (and any local user-entered variations in the style) in the code.
Note that there is the option of showing the paragraph properties at the beginning of the paragraph rather than at the end. Like the other settings, this can be accessed by pressing Ctrl+O or clicking the three checkmarks icon.
| Suitablity to Purpose | Rating  |
While not a clone of WordPerfect's Reveal Codes functionality, CrossEyes adds the ability to see what is going on in a Microsoft Word document. Besides giving you a new view of your work, it also provides fast access to settings that control formatting. CrossEyes is extremely attuned to how a Word document is constructed and reaches deep into the "plumbing."
CrossEyes is at its best when you're working on a collaborative document that you did not create. It plainly shows paragraph and section demarcation, even when they are not obvious in Word's WYSIWYG display, and it can help to stamp out table nesting madness.
CrossEyes is also educational. It can teach you how Word works. A short time spent with the excellent tutorial will teach you about the traps that Word can hold for the uninitiated. CrossEyes should also be very handy for those who still haven't come to grips with Word 2007's ribbon bar.
We were pleased with the functionality that CrossEyes added to Word, and plan to install it on our computers. Microsoft should license this application and include it with Word. It's that useful.
