• Registered: 2009-01-26
  • Posts: 1

Topic: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

Hello!

I have som songs (about 100) in a Microsoft Word document. I would like to write chords in the document above the text. Right now I do it like this (with spaces between the chords):

       Am     D
This is an example
       G        Em
This is an example

My problem is that if I change something in the document like changing the fonts style, the chords jumps around and is no longer above the right word. Is there any smart way to write chords in Microsoft Word or should I use another program?

Thank you.

  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

Hi Lou and welcome to Chordie,

The only way that I can think of overcoming this problen is a complete rewrite and putting the chords in bracket within the line of the song, like so:

This [Am]is an [D]example
 
This [G]is an [Em]example

However the chords are not so readily identifiable this way.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: Louisiana
  • Registered: 2008-11-06
  • Posts: 863

Re: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

I have the same problem but I have noticed some people insert the chords on the same  line as the lyrics. I think I will begin doing that.

Sample.  (C) Down in the valley valley so (G) low-----------

When the Power of Love overcomes The Love of Power the world will be a better place.

deadstring's Website

  • From: Louisiana
  • Registered: 2008-11-06
  • Posts: 863

Re: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

Roger  must have been posting as I was writing. Sorry! Brilliant minds think alike, I'm just slower!

When the Power of Love overcomes The Love of Power the world will be a better place.

deadstring's Website

  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

I use this program and it is wonderful.  It comes in Windows or Smartphone format.
http://www.linkesoft.com/songbook/

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.

6 Reply by Stonebridge (edited by Stonebridge 2009-01-26 21:05:35)

  • From: Cardiff, Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2008-08-25
  • Posts: 182

Re: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

The problem is caused by the fact that most of the fonts are "proportional". That is, the space between characters depends on the width of the character. In other words, W takes up more space on the line than I.
The way round this is to use the font called courier new. This is a "monospaced" font, which means that all letters, irrespective of their width, take up the same space on a line.
Using courier for text and chord letters should keep the two together even if you change the font size.
The font does look a little odd, though, to most eyes.

7 Reply by Songbook19 (edited by Songbook19 2017-09-30 20:47:46)

  • From: North America
  • Registered: 2012-03-15
  • Posts: 5

Re: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

I know it's been a while since this thread was posted but I too have been working on a project of assembling my favorite music into a MS-Word document (approaching 600 songs now) which is portable and editable.

Like Roger and Deadstring mentioned, I also found the best way was to insert the chord name in the lyrics.  But I also included the chord diagrams at the introduction as well so you can glance up and see the finger formation as you play/sing.  Also indexed the whole thing by title, artist, and genre, and then hyperlinked everything together so it was easy to move around the document as a whole.

It's here if you want to take a look for ideas (the website is just a delivery mechanism):

http://songbook19.my-free.website/

Play on!

Al

Songbook19's Website

  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
  • Posts: 5,704

Re: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

i also put the chord symbols in brackets thus [C] , then add a colour to them usually red. it's so much easier then to upload a song to chordie you only need to add the chopro triggers.

i use apache open office which is free and can read m/s office and others and do a lot of other neat stuff...worth a look?

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

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  • From: Independence, Mo
  • Registered: 2007-09-23
  • Posts: 233

Re: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

I'm not a big fan of putting the chords in bracket's mainly cause I can't read it like that so I make sure my song's are complete and just put the chords above the appropriate word's!

A musician is someone with too much time on their hands! Thank god I'm a musician!!!

getfiddle's Website

  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,454

Re: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

I wrote an on-line chord generator which is here:

http://neophytte.mine.nu/chord/

It generates pictures which can be posted in MS Word for a lot of different chord shapes, and you can change the number of strings and the tunings etc ...

Cheers

Richard     

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Discogs          https://www.discogs.com/release/29065579
YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMortimerMusic
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  • From: WASHINGTON ST
  • Registered: 2006-07-29
  • Posts: 2,811

Re: How to write chords in Microsoft Word?

bensonp wrote:

I use this program and it is wonderful.  It comes in Windows or Smartphone format.
http://www.linkesoft.com/songbook/


I posted this the other day. its great.  but the chord pro format is a little different between this and Chordie so go over both sets of instructions.     

“Find your own sound.  Dont be a second rateYngwie Malmsteen be a first rate you”

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