The Associated Press unleashed software Thursday that proofreads content using AP Stylebook’s guidelines on spelling, language, punctuation, usage and journalistic style.
The new plug-in software -- AP StyleGuard -- works in Microsoft Word and will come in handy for writers and editors who produce and publish news articles and press releases.
"AP StyleGuard speeds up checking AP style on potential problems, since the user does not need to find the relevant listing in the Stylebook, and it adds much deeper coverage by pointing out possible corrections the writer didn’t even think to check," says Colleen Newvine, product manager of the AP Stylebook, in an announcement. "AP style is constantly evolving, so if we didn’t have a listing previously or if our guidance has changed, AP StyleGuard helps keep the user up to date.”
AP StyleGuard is available only for PC users, but in a tweet, @APStylebook hints at someday bringing the tool to Macs. Subscribers of the online AP Stylebook will get a beta version of AP StyleGuard starting Dec. 16, while print subscribers will get the tool Jan. 16. The product, which operates on Windows XP and higher and Microsoft Office 2003 or higher, launches to the masses April 1.