Does anyone else find it irritating that Microsoft Word and Google Docs count the ‘§’ character as an individual word? It feels like there should be no need to insert a space between this symbol and the following section number, or perhaps it shouldn’t be recognized as a word at all.
In my experience working extensively with both Microsoft Word and Google Docs, I share the concern regarding how the ‘§’ symbol is treated as a separate word. This behavior becomes particularly bothersome when formatting documents where section references need to be precise. It disrupts the natural flow of text and often forces manual adjustments to spacing. I have found that such nuances can detract from an otherwise efficient layout process, especially in formal documents. It would be beneficial if future updates could handle this symbol more gracefully in order to streamline document formatting.
I have encountered this issue frequently and it does cause unnecessary formatting challenges, particularly when working with legal documents. The ‘§’ symbol is often involved in precise referencing, and having it recognized as a standalone word disrupts proper spacing and layout. My experience suggests that these quirks are rooted in the default text processing methods which do not differentiate between symbols used in conventional language and those in specialized contexts. It would be wise for future updates to introduce a smarter handling mechanism for such characters to improve document consistency without manual intervention.
i get it totally, its a bit of a pain when formatting legal documnts. i usually do rough manual tweaks to get the spacing right. would be neat if these tools could smarter treat the symbol without needing extra work
Through my experience preparing academic papers and regulatory documents, I’ve found that having the ‘§’ symbol treated as a separate word is more than just an aesthetic concern—it complicates the editing process. Adjusting spacing manually or programming workarounds like custom macros or find-and-replace routines can slow down workflow considerably. Although both Word and Docs offer advanced formatting options, none directly address this particular anomaly. It appears that the defaults are more suited for everyday text rather than specialized document formats. A revision to the handling of such symbols would significantly improve document consistency.
Over the years, I have often encountered hiccups with how Microsoft Word and Google Docs treat the ‘§’ symbol, especially when preparing densely referenced technical and academic materials. In my projects, where section references must appear smooth and standardized, the symbol’s treatment as an independent word has led to repetitive manual tweaking and forced me to adjust spacing rules. This unexpected behavior not only slows down the formatting process but also complicates document consistency. While I have implemented workarounds using custom formatting macros, it remains a persistent annoyance that could be improved in future software updates.