PerfectIt - Detailed Review
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PerfectIt - Detailed Review Contents
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PerfectIt - Product Overview
Introduction to PerfectIt
PerfectIt is a specialized proofreading and editing tool developed by Intelligent Editing, a London-based company founded in 2009. Here’s a breakdown of its primary function, target audience, and key features:Primary Function
PerfectIt is primarily an editing and proofreading tool, rather than a grammar or spelling checker. It focuses on ensuring consistency and accuracy in written documents, particularly in areas that general grammar checkers might overlook. It helps users identify and correct inconsistencies in formatting, capitalization, hyphenation, and other elements that are crucial for professional documents.Target Audience
The primary target audience for PerfectIt includes professional editors, proofreaders, and writers, especially those in specialized fields such as law, medicine, and technical writing. It is also beneficial for businesses and organizations that need to maintain a consistent style across their documents. Law firms, corporate legal departments, and individuals involved in freelance writing or editing also find this tool highly useful.Key Features
- Consistency Checks: PerfectIt checks for consistency in hyphenation, capitalization, abbreviations, headings, lists, and formatting. It ensures that documents adhere to specific style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, or custom style sheets.
- Customizable Style Sheets: Users can create and customize their own style sheets to fit their specific needs. This includes options for different regional styles (e.g., Australian, British, Canadian, American).
- Detailed Reports: The tool generates detailed error reports and allows users to review and implement suggested changes directly within their documents.
- Additional Checks: PerfectIt performs checks on italics, brackets, quotes, superscripts, subscripts, and the use of Oxford commas. It also helps in maintaining consistency in figures, tables, and acronyms.
- User-Friendly Interface: The software is easy to use and available for both PC and Mac. It offers a free two-week trial with full features, allowing users to test its capabilities before committing to a subscription.
- Subscription Options: PerfectIt offers a subscription model, with a standard subscription costing $70 per year per user for up to 39 users. For larger teams (40 users), there is an Enterprise subscription with discounted rates.
PerfectIt - User Interface and Experience
User Interface
The user interface of PerfectIt is crafted to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy.Ease of Use
PerfectIt is known for its simplicity and ease of use. The software integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Word, allowing users to run checks directly within their documents. The interface is straightforward, guiding users through various checks and flagging errors and inconsistencies clearly.Customization Options
One of the standout features of PerfectIt is its high degree of customizability. Users can select specific checks they want to perform, such as hyphenation, consistent spelling, and formatting. This flexibility allows users to focus on the aspects of their document that are most critical, making the editing process more efficient.Speed and Efficiency
PerfectIt 4, the latest version, has significantly improved in terms of speed. The initial scan time has been drastically reduced, even for lengthy and data-heavy documents. For example, a 121-page impact analysis that once took over five minutes now takes just 41 seconds. This speed enhancement helps users stay focused and productive by minimizing distractions.One-Click Fixes
The new interface in PerfectIt 4 introduces a one-click fix feature, which allows users to see the context of suggested changes without needing to click through each location individually. This feature streamlines the editing process, reducing the overall time spent on corrections by more than 20% for documents of 50 pages or more.User Experience
Users have consistently praised PerfectIt for its ability to save time and increase accuracy. The software is particularly valued for its consistency checks, which catch errors that might elude human editors. The CMOS add-in is also highly appreciated, especially in the publishing industry, as it ensures adherence to specific style guidelines.Support and Resources
PerfectIt provides extensive support through video tutorials, user guides, and an FAQ section. Additionally, there are user groups on LinkedIn and Facebook where users can support each other. The support team is responsive, with quick turnaround times for queries, further enhancing the overall user experience.Conclusion
In summary, PerfectIt offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, highly customizable, and efficient in its operations. These features combine to provide a seamless and productive editing experience. PerfectIt - Key Features and Functionality
PerfectIt Overview
PerfectIt, a proofreading software developed by Intelligent Editing, is tailored to help professionals ensure their documents are polished, consistent, and error-free. Here are the key features and how they work:Consistency Checks
PerfectIt excels at identifying inconsistencies that traditional grammar checkers often miss. It checks for:Hyphenation
Ensures consistent use of hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes.Spelling
Verifies consistent spelling, including accents, contractions, numbers, similar words, and user-specified words that are commonly misspelled.Capitalization and Numbering
Checks for consistent capitalization and numbering throughout the document.Formatting
The software ensures consistent and correct use of various formatting elements, such as:Italics, Brackets, and Quotes
Maintains consistency in the use of these formatting elements.Superscripts and Subscripts
Ensures proper usage of superscripts and subscripts.Oxford Commas
Checks for consistent use of Oxford commas according to the chosen style guide.Style Guide Enforcement
PerfectIt allows users to enforce specific style guides, including:Custom Style Sheets
Users can create and customize their own style sheets to fit their organization’s or client’s requirements.Integration with Style Guides
It supports integration with established style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS).Terminology Consistency
The software checks for consistent use of terminology, including:Abbreviations
Ensures consistent abbreviation usage throughout the document.Spelling and Abbreviation Checks
Includes checks for spelling, abbreviations, and wildcard terms to maintain terminology consistency.Automation of Mechanical Editing Tasks
PerfectIt automates many mechanical editing tasks, such as:List Punctuation
Ensures consistency in list punctuation according to the chosen style guide.Removing Extra Spaces
Automatically removes extra spaces and performs other finalization tasks.Customization and Flexibility
Users can customize the checks to focus on specific aspects of the document:Select Specific Checks
Users can choose to check only certain elements, such as hyphenation or spelling, from a drop-down menu.Style Sheet Editor
Allows users to create and edit their own style sheets within Microsoft Word.Integration and Reports
PerfectIt integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Word and provides detailed reports:Integration with Microsoft Word
The software runs checks directly within Word documents.Reports and Finalization Tasks
Generates reports on changes made and can automatically create tables of abbreviations and lists of changes.AI Integration
While PerfectIt is not explicitly described as an AI-driven tool, it leverages advanced algorithms to perform detailed checks that human editors might miss. These algorithms help in identifying and correcting inconsistencies in a way that is both efficient and accurate, reducing the time spent on manual editing. Overall, PerfectIt is a valuable tool for professionals who need to ensure their documents are consistent, polished, and free from errors, making it particularly useful in industries where precision and adherence to style guides are crucial. PerfectIt - Performance and Accuracy
Performance of PerfectIt
PerfectIt is a specialized proofreading software that excels in several key areas, particularly for professionals who need to ensure consistency and accuracy in their documents.Strengths
- Consistency Checks: PerfectIt is highly effective at catching errors in consistency, including hyphenation, capitalization, spelling, and numbering, which are often overlooked by regular grammar checkers.
- Customization: It allows users to enforce their organization’s specific style guides, making it highly customizable. This feature is particularly useful for maintaining brand consistency and adhering to specific style manuals like the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS).
- Automation: The software automates mechanical editing tasks, saving users a significant amount of time. It can correct multiple instances of errors with a single click, which is especially beneficial for lengthy manuscripts.
- Support for Lists and Tables: PerfectIt ensures consistent punctuation and capitalization in lists, bullets, and tables, which are critical for maintaining the professionalism of documents.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
- Mac Functionality: One of the significant limitations is the software’s limited functionality and stability on Macs. Users have reported issues such as freezing, crashing, and limited customization options for Mac users.
- Processing Speed: PerfectIt can be slow, particularly when processing large documents. This can be a hindrance for users who need to work efficiently.
- Integration with Other Tools: The software does not work with Google Docs, which is a common tool for many professionals. This lack of integration can be inconvenient for those who prefer working in Google Docs.
- Language Support: PerfectIt only supports English, although some of its checks may work in other languages. This limits its utility for users who work with multiple languages.
- Advanced Features: Some users find it challenging to customize style sheets and understand the advanced features of the software. Additional tutorials or support resources could help address this issue.
Accuracy
Strengths
- Detailed Checks: PerfectIt performs detailed checks on various aspects of writing, including abbreviations, numbers, and table and figure numbering. It ensures that abbreviations are defined on first use and checks for consistent usage throughout the document.
- Contextual Spelling Checks: The software looks at a combination of context and common errors to identify spelling mistakes, which is more effective than standard spellcheckers.
Limitations
- Grammar and Clarity: PerfectIt does not evaluate grammar, punctuation, or spelling mistakes in the same way general grammar checkers do. It also does not check for the clarity or concision of writing.
- Overzealous Checks: Some users have noted that the software can be overzealous in certain checks, such as serial comma detection, which can sometimes lead to unnecessary corrections.
Conclusion
PerfectIt is a powerful tool for ensuring consistency and accuracy in professional documents, particularly in areas such as style adherence, abbreviation usage, and list/table formatting. However, it has some limitations, especially regarding its performance on Macs, integration with other tools, and the need for better support for advanced features. Addressing these areas could further enhance the software’s overall performance and user satisfaction. PerfectIt - Pricing and Plans
Plans and Pricing
Single/Team Plan
Enterprise Plan
Free Trial
Key Features Across All Plans
- Consistency checks across the entire document.
- Customizable style sheets.
- Checks for hyphens, dashes, capitalization, formatting, abbreviations, tables, bullet points, and headings.
- Integration with Microsoft Word on both Mac and PC.
- Error report generation.
- Support and all future updates.
Conclusion
PerfectIt - Integration and Compatibility
PerfectIt Overview
PerfectIt, a proofreading software developed by Intelligent Editing, is designed to integrate seamlessly with various tools and platforms, particularly those within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Platform Compatibility
PerfectIt is available in two main versions: PerfectIt 5 and PerfectIt Cloud.
PerfectIt 5
PerfectIt 5 is recommended for Windows users. It requires a PC running Windows 10 or 11, along with Microsoft Word versions 2013, 2016, 2019, or Office 365. While it may work on older versions of Windows and Word, full compatibility cannot be guaranteed for unsupported versions.
PerfectIt Cloud
PerfectIt Cloud is suggested for Mac users but also works on Windows PCs, iPads, and Word Online. It requires Microsoft 365 (Office 2016, 2019, or 2021) to function.
Integration with Microsoft Office
PerfectIt integrates directly with Microsoft Word as an add-on. It opens in a separate task pane within Word, allowing users to perform various consistency checks on their documents. This integration is seamless for both Windows and Mac users, provided they have the compatible versions of Microsoft Office.
Compatibility with Other Software
Google Docs
PerfectIt does not work directly within Google Docs. However, you can work around this by downloading the Google Doc as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file or copying and pasting the text into a Word document to run PerfectIt checks.
OpenOffice
PerfectIt is not compatible with OpenOffice.
PDFs
PerfectIt cannot operate directly on PDF files. You would need to convert the PDF to a Word document to use PerfectIt.
Email Clients and Social Media
While PerfectIt itself does not integrate with email clients or social media platforms, it can be used to proofread text copied from these sources into a Word document.
Additional Features and Integrations
PerfectIt includes built-in styles for various professional standards, such as the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) and the American Legal Style. It also allows users to enforce a “house style” and create shared style sheets, which is particularly useful for teams and organizations.
Conclusion
In summary, PerfectIt is highly compatible with Microsoft Office tools and is optimized for use within the Microsoft Word environment. While it has limitations with other platforms like Google Docs and OpenOffice, it remains a valuable tool for ensuring consistency in long documents and professional writing.
PerfectIt - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options for PerfectIt
When using PerfectIt, a proofreading software by Intelligent Editing, you have several customer support options and additional resources available to help you get the most out of the product.Technical Support
Technical support for PerfectIt is provided via email for all users with a current subscription. The turnaround time for support requests is usually within 24 hours, and there is no charge for contacting support. This ensures that any issues you encounter can be addressed promptly.Installation and Usage
The installation process for PerfectIt Cloud, the latest version compatible with both Mac and PC, is straightforward. You may need your Microsoft ID and password to complete the installation. Once installed, PerfectIt appears as a sidebar in your MS Word document, making it easy to access and use.Style Guides and Customization
PerfectIt offers various style guides, including American Legal Style, Australian Government Style, Canadian Spelling, European Union Style, UK Spelling, United Nations Style, US Spelling, and WHO Style, among others. You can customize the style manual according to your needs, and there are video tutorials available to help with this process.Additional Resources
- FAQs: Intelligent Editing provides a comprehensive FAQ section on their website that answers many common questions about using PerfectIt.
- Video Tutorials: There are video tutorials available that guide you through customizing style manuals and other features of the software.
- Social Media and Community: You can connect with other PerfectIt users through their social media profiles on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. This community can be a valuable resource for user advice and assistance.
- Chicago Manual of Style Integration: For users who also subscribe to the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) Online, PerfectIt offers integration with CMOS style sheets, which can be accessed once the accounts are linked using the same email address.
Trial and Licensing
If you’re new to PerfectIt, you can try a full version of the software for free for 14 days. The software is sold as an annual license that includes support and all upgrades released during that year.Conclusion
Overall, PerfectIt provides a well-supported environment with multiple avenues for assistance, ensuring you can effectively use the software to improve the consistency and accuracy of your documents. PerfectIt - Pros and Cons
Advantages of PerfectIt
PerfectIt is a specialized proofreading tool that offers several significant advantages, particularly for those who need to ensure consistency in their writing.Comprehensive Consistency Checks
PerfectIt stands out for its ability to perform detailed consistency checks across seven critical elements, including hyphens and dashes, bullets, lists, and tables, numbers, and table/figure numbering. This makes it highly useful for long documents where inconsistencies are more likely to occur.Integration with Style Guides
It integrates seamlessly with *The Chicago Manual of Style* (CMOS) for subscribers, allowing users to check their documents against the CMOS guidelines. This is particularly beneficial for professionals in the publishing industry.Customization and House Styles
PerfectIt allows users to enforce custom preferences and house styles, ensuring that every document reflects the brand’s image consistently. It also helps in maintaining consistent capitalization, hyphenation, and abbreviation usage.Efficiency and Speed
The software is known for its speed and efficiency, especially in checking long documents. It saves time by identifying hard-to-find inconsistencies that might be overlooked by other tools.Continuous Improvement
Intelligent Editing, the company behind PerfectIt, continuously updates and improves the software, adding new consistency checks and enhancing existing features.User Support
The support team for PerfectIt is highly responsive, providing quick and helpful assistance to users.Disadvantages of PerfectIt
While PerfectIt is highly effective in its specific area of focus, there are some limitations to consider.Limited Scope
PerfectIt solely focuses on consistency checks and does not identify grammar, punctuation, or spelling mistakes. It also does not check for clarity or concision of writing.Compatibility Issues
The software does not work with Google Docs, limiting its use for those who prefer this platform. It is also not particularly useful for short documents like memos, agendas, or brief emails.Language Limitation
PerfectIt only supports English, although some of its checks may work in other languages to a certain extent.Occasional Oversights
While rare, PerfectIt can occasionally miss an inconsistency, which may require additional manual checks.Customization Time
Setting up custom preferences and styles can take some time, which might be a drawback for some users. Overall, PerfectIt is an invaluable tool for proofreaders, copy editors, and anyone who needs to ensure strict consistency in their writing, especially in adherence to specific style guides. However, it is not a replacement for comprehensive grammar and spelling checkers like Grammarly. PerfectIt - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing PerfectIt with Other AI-Driven Language Tools
Several key aspects and unique features stand out.
Unique Features of PerfectIt
PerfectIt is specialized in consistency checking, making it a valuable tool for proofreaders and copy editors. Here are some of its unique features:
- Comprehensive Consistency Checks: PerfectIt performs detailed checks across seven critical areas, including abbreviations, capitalization, house style, hyphens and dashes, bullets and lists, spelling and numbers, and table/figure numbering.
- Integration with Style Guides: It integrates seamlessly with *The Chicago Manual of Style* (CMOS) for subscribers, ensuring documents adhere to specific style guidelines. This integration is particularly beneficial for professionals in the publishing industry.
- Customizable: Users can adjust PerfectIt to fit their needs by selecting from built-in styles and customizing checks to align with specific house styles or client requirements.
Potential Alternatives
While PerfectIt is unparalleled in its focus on consistency, other tools offer broader or different functionalities:
Grammarly
- Multi-Functional: Grammarly is a more general-purpose proofreading tool that checks grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. It also includes a plagiarism detector and offers suggestions to improve tone, formality, and clarity.
- Broader Integration: Unlike PerfectIt, Grammarly works in Google Docs and other platforms, making it more versatile for different workflows.
ProWritingAid
- Comprehensive Writing Tool: ProWritingAid offers a wide range of features including grammar and spelling checks, suggestions for improving writing style, and detailed reports on sentence structure, word choice, and more. However, it does not focus as intensely on consistency checks as PerfectIt does.
LanguageTool
- Open-Source Alternative: LanguageTool is an open-source proofreading tool that checks grammar, style, and spelling. While it is not as comprehensive as PerfectIt in terms of consistency checks, it is free and can be integrated into various platforms.
Key Differences
- Focus: PerfectIt is highly specialized in consistency checks, making it ideal for long documents and professional editing. Grammarly and other tools are more general-purpose and may not delve as deeply into consistency.
- Integration: PerfectIt does not work in Google Docs, which could be a limitation for some users. Grammarly and other tools often have broader integration capabilities.
- Style Guides: The integration of CMOS with PerfectIt is a significant advantage for those who need to adhere to this style guide. Other tools may not offer such specific integrations.
In summary, PerfectIt stands out for its rigorous consistency checks and integration with specific style guides, making it a go-to tool for professional proofreaders and copy editors. However, for users needing a more versatile proofreading tool with broader integration and additional features, alternatives like Grammarly or ProWritingAid might be more suitable.
PerfectIt - Frequently Asked Questions
What is PerfectIt and what does it do?
PerfectIt is a proofreading software that specializes in checking consistency in documents. It does not check for grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors but instead focuses on ensuring consistency in elements such as hyphens, dashes, capitalization, formatting, abbreviations, tables, bullet points, and headings. This makes it particularly useful for proofreaders, editors, and writers who need to produce polished and professional documents.
How much does PerfectIt cost?
PerfectIt pricing starts at $70 per user per year for the Single/Team plan. This plan includes all features and allows use on all your devices. For larger teams (40 or more users), the Enterprise plan offers significant discounts, with prices as low as $25 per user for 2000 users. There is also a free 14-day trial available.
What features does PerfectIt offer?
PerfectIt offers a range of features to check consistency across various elements in a document. These include:
- Hyphenation and dash usage
- Consistent spelling, including accents and contractions
- Formatting consistency, such as italics, brackets, and quotes
- Consistency in bullets, lists, and tables
- Consistency in numbers and table/figure numbering
- Customizable style sheets, including the Chicago Manual of Style and American Legal Style.
Is PerfectIt available for both PC and Mac?
Yes, PerfectIt is available for both PC and Mac. You can install it on all your devices with a single subscription, and there is also a cloud version available for Mac users.
Does PerfectIt offer a free trial?
Yes, PerfectIt offers a free 14-day trial. During this trial, you get full access to all features without needing to provide your credit card information or email address.
What kind of support does PerfectIt offer?
PerfectIt provides several support options, including an FAQ section, user guides, and numerous video tutorials. There is also a contact form on the website and support groups on LinkedIn and Facebook where users can ask questions and get help from other users and the support team.
Can I customize the checks in PerfectIt?
Yes, you can customize the checks in PerfectIt. You can select specific elements to check, such as hyphenation or bullet points, and use customizable style sheets to fit your needs. This is particularly useful for adhering to specific style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style or American Legal Style.
Is PerfectIt suitable for legal writing?
Yes, PerfectIt is highly suitable for legal writing. It includes the American Legal Style, which has over 125,000 legal-specific corrections and is influenced by resources such as the Bluebook, Redbook, and Black’s Law Dictionary. This helps ensure that legal documents are accurate and consistent.
How does PerfectIt improve over time?
PerfectIt continuously improves through updates that make the software faster and more accurate. Recent updates have included transforming the user interface, integrating The Chicago Manual of Style, and adding more comprehensive consistency checks. The company also considers user feedback to refine the software.
Can I use PerfectIt for different types of writing?
Yes, PerfectIt can be used for various types of writing, including creative, business, legal, medical, and scientific documents. It helps ensure consistency across all these types of writing, making it a versatile tool for proofreaders and editors.