Automatic Ellipses

Ellipses are required to be dot-space-dot-space-dot, not dot-dot-dot, which is the default in Word and OpenOffice. To make correct ellipses that break correctly at the end of the line, it is best to use Ctrl-Shift-Spacebar instead of a simple space. So, to create an ellipsis type: [.] + ([Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Spacebar]) + [.] + ([Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Spacebar]) + [.].

This could become annoying to do often, so it is good to automate it. In Word 2003:

1. Click on Tools --> AutoCorrect Options...
2. Under the "AutoCorrect" tab, type in the "Replace" box: "...", then type the sequence above in the "With" box.
3. Hit the Add button and confirm that you want to replace the current entry for "...".
4. Now when you type "..." it will automatically put in the correct ellipsis with non-breaking spaces.

The procedure is similar in OpenOffice.

1. Type the above sequence in a document and copy it.
2. Click on Tools --> AutoCorrect Options...
3. Under the "Replace" tab, find the line with "..." in the Replace column and paste the sequence above in the "With" box.
4. Click OK.
5. Now when you type "..." it will automatically put in the correct ellipsis with non-breaking spaces.