For project technical writers, the writing features need to support precision, clarity, consistency, and collaboration in highly structured documentation — often across complex technical projects.
Here are the top writing features for technical writers:
1. Structured Document Management
- Robust outlining and hierarchical navigation — manage large documents with multiple nested sections.
- Templates for technical documents — specs, manuals, API docs, user guides, release notes.
- Consistent styles and formatting — predefined heading styles, code blocks, tables, callouts. [callouts todo], [code blocks not planned]
- Version control and change tracking — essential for updates and audits.
2. Technical Content Features
- Code snippet formatting and syntax highlighting — embed code samples cleanly. [not planned]
- Diagrams and flowchart integration — support visuals (e.g., via embedded SVGs, Visio, or draw.io). [not planned; but being considered]
- Cross-references and hyperlinks — link to sections, figures, external resources, or other docs.
- Glossary and term management — maintain consistent terminology across documents.
3. Collaboration & Review
- Inline comments and threaded discussions — gather feedback from SMEs and stakeholders.
- Real-time collaboration or controlled workflows — multiple contributors with role-based editing.
- Review cycles and approval workflows — manage document versions with sign-offs.
4. Productivity Enhancements
- Reusable content blocks / snippets — standard disclaimers, warnings, or instructions to avoid rewriting.
- Advanced search and replace with regex support — for precise updates across large docs. [section search & replace available]
- Spell check with technical dictionaries — catch jargon and domain-specific terms. [8 types of terms available]
- Distraction-free or focus writing mode — improve concentration during drafting.
5. Output & Publishing
- Multi-format export — PDF, HTML, for different delivery channels.
- EPUB [todo]
- Markdown, DITA, XML for different delivery channels. [not yet available]
- Single-source publishing — write once, publish to web, print, help systems.
- Style guides enforcement — maintain compliance with corporate or industry documentation standards.
- Accessibility support — alt text for images, structured headings for screen readers. [some features not yet planned]
ToDo
- Multi-format export — EPUB [todo]
- Consistent styles and formatting — callouts [todo].