Features

Using the Attach Feature on an Existing Word Document

Learn how to use the Attach feature to give an existing Microsoft Word document LeaderGuide Pro capabilities.

Ribbon Collection Templates

Overview

The Attach feature allows you to take an existing Microsoft Word document and enable it to work with LeaderGuide Pro. Once attached, the document gains access to LeaderGuide Pro functionality, including modules, lessons, content blocks, and other content-building tools.

This is especially useful when you have training content originally developed outside LeaderGuide Pro and want to convert it into a guidebook that uses LeaderGuide Pro's features and structure.

When to Use This Feature

Use the Attach feature when you:

Have an existing Word document that was not originally created with LeaderGuide Pro
Want to add LeaderGuide Pro functionality to the document
Need to insert modules, lessons, or content blocks into existing content
Plan to convert legacy training materials into a LeaderGuide Pro guidebook

Before You Begin

Before attaching a document, ensure:

The Microsoft Word document is open.
You understand whether the document should become a Facilitator Guide or Participant Guide.
You know which collection to use for the guidebook.

Important: After attaching a document, you will need to update the existing Word styles to the appropriate LeaderGuide Pro styles. For example, content currently using the Normal style should typically be updated to the LGP Text style.

Attach a LeaderGuide Pro Template to an Existing Document

Step 1: Open the Existing Word Document

Open the Word document you want to convert into a LeaderGuide Pro document.

Step 2: Select Attach

On the LeaderGuide Pro ribbon, click Attach.

Attach - LGPro Ribbon

Step 3: Complete the Template Specifications

The LeaderGuide Pro Template Specifications dialog box appears.

Attach - Choose Template Dialog Box

Complete the following options:

Select the Guide Type

Choose one of the following:

Facilitator Guide
Participant Guide

Select the Column Structure

Choose the layout that best matches your training requirements:

Two-Column Format
Three-Column Format

Select the Collection

Choose the collection that should be applied to the document:

Select your preferred collection, or
Choose Custom and select a collection from the drop-down list

Step 4: Click OK

After making your selections, click OK.

LeaderGuide Pro will attach the selected template structure to the document.

Step 5: Block Icons Dialog Box

You will be prompted if you want to replace Block Icons.

Choose No.

Currently, you do not have any content block icons in this document.

Attach - Block Icons

Step 6: Action Completed Successfully

Once the attach process is complete, the Action Completed Successfully dialog box appears.

Choose OK.

Attach Action Completed Successfully

Update Existing Styles

After attaching the template, review the document's formatting and update existing Word styles to the appropriate LeaderGuide Pro styles.

Common example:

Existing Style	Recommended LeaderGuide Pro Style
Normal	LGP Text
Heading 1	LGP Module Name
Heading 2	LGP Lesson Name

Applying the proper LeaderGuide Pro styles ensures that content behaves correctly when using LeaderGuide Pro features and maintains consistent formatting throughout the guidebook.

What Happens Next?

Once the document has been attached, you can begin using LeaderGuide Pro functionality within the document.

You now have the ability to:

Insert Modules
Insert Lessons
Add Content Blocks
Use LeaderGuide Pro page structures
Leverage collection-based design elements and formatting
Use all of LeaderGuide Pro features

Important: Creating Front Matter

Attaching a document gives you the ability to work with content sections such as:

Modules and Lessons, or
Lessons only

However, the attach process does not automatically create the front matter typically found in a complete guidebook.

To generate items such as:

Cover Page
Introductory Pages
Table of Contents
Training-at-a-Glance
Other Guidebook Front Matter

You need to run the Extract feature after preparing your content.

The Extract feature can generate these guidebook components and help create a fully structured LeaderGuide Pro document.

Tip: For best results, organize and format your content first, then run Extract to create the complete guidebook structure.

Best Practices

Review and update styles immediately after attaching the document.
Use LeaderGuide Pro styles instead of standard Word styles whenever possible.
Verify that headings, body text, and instructional content use the correct LeaderGuide Pro formatting.
Build modules and lessons before running Extract.
Preview the generated guidebook structure after extraction to ensure everything appears as expected.