# NASA STI Report Series 

# Template Instructions and Tips

(Boxed items are the most important.)

Download (Save) Template Files

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| If you have not already done so, **download (save)** one or both STI  |
| report template files from the STI Web site at                        |
| <http://www.sti.nasa.gov/>; click on **+For Authors** in the red area |
| at the top left of the page, then click the **Report Templates**      |
| link.                                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| Always save your report file as a new name to preserve the original   |
| template file.                                                        |
|                                                                       |
| The template files may be revised from time to time, so check back    |
| periodically for updated versions.                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

# Publishing Guidance Resources

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Two checklists on pages 3 and 4 of these instructions can help guide
  you through the production and review process. They are taken from the
  NASA Publications Guide for Authors (see link below).

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

-   There are a variety of resources available to help with the
    production and publishing of your report. Go to the [NASA STI Web
    site](http://www.sti.nasa.gov/); click on **+For Authors** in the
    red area at the top left of the page, then click the **+Publish
    STI** link. The following resources are especially helpful:

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   NASA Procedural Requirements, NPR 2200.2B: Requirements for
    Documentation, Approval and Dissemination of NASA Scientific and
    Technical Information

> [http:/nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PR_2200_002B\_&page_name=main](http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PR_2200_002B_&page_name=main)

-   NASA/SP---2005--7602 (Rev. 1): NASA Publications Guide for Authors

> <http://hdl.handle.net/2002/15810>

-   NASA Form (NF)-1676: NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI)
    Document Availability Authorization (DAA)

> [http://nef.nasa.gov](http://nef.nasa.gov/)

-   Standard Form (SF)-298: Report Documentation Page (RDP)

> [http://nef.nasa.gov](http://nef.nasa.gov/)

# Using the Template Tips

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Always press the F1 key (Windows) or the Help key (Macintosh) after
  clicking on any shaded text to read helpful tips. **Note**: Shading
  does not print.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

-   Type directly into gray-shaded, black text fields, or choose from
    the provided selections in the drop-down menus after you click in
    the field.

-   Avoid retyping repeated text by using the copy and paste functions
    from the cover page to the title page.

-   Gray-shaded, white text lines contain instructional notes only and
    will not print.

# Set up Microsoft Word Options before Inserting Images (Windows only)

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| This is necessary to accurately insert downloaded distribution        |
| notices or other images.                                              |
|                                                                       |
| 1.  From the Tools menu, select Options                               |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  Select the Edit tab                                               |
|                                                                       |
| 3.  In the "Insert/paste pictures as:" drop-down menu, select "In     |
|     front of text"                                                    |
|                                                                       |
| 4.  Click OK to close the Options box                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

# Download and Insert Required Images

1.  Go to <http://www.sti.nasa.gov/template/notices.html> to find
    approved distribution and availability notices.

2.  Click on the link that corresponds to the required notice.

3.  Right click (Windows or two-button Mac mouse) or Control-click
    (single button Mac mouse) on the displayed notice.

4.  Select the option that will either save or download the image as a
    file. (Do not use the copy function.)

5.  Designate your desktop or a folder to which the file will be
    saved/downloaded.

6.  In the template, position the cursor where the image will be
    inserted (See notes below).

7.  From the Insert menu, select Picture, then select From File...

8.  Navigate to the location of the saved/downloaded image file, select
    it, and then click the Insert button.

> **Notes**:

-   If image covers text, you must undo the insert and try again.
    Reposition the cursor to another line and reinsert until the image
    is correctly placed. (It is OK for the image to cover instructional
    text.)

-   Mac Users: After inserting an image, you may have to unprotect the
    document, select the image, and then select "In front of text" from
    the text wrapping feature of the Format Picture menu or toolbox.

-   For proper placement when inserting the CASI/NTIS dual address image
    on the acknowledgment/ availability page, position the cursor on the
    first line of the currently displayed CASI address block.

-   If any additional information is required to go along with an
    approved notice, you can simply type the appropriate text in the
    blank areas above or below the notice box after it has been
    inserted.

**Template File Protection**

If you need to customize the template in any way or use menu features
that seem unavailable, such as the Find command, you can turn the
template document protection off and on as needed. There are two ways to
enable/disable this feature.

1.  With the Forms toolbar displayed, you can simply click on and off
    the icon that looks like a padlock. (This is the quickest way.)

2.  In the Tools menu, click "Protect (or Unprotect) Document," to turn
    protection on and off.

Please remember that the gray help fields and the "Select" drop-down
menus for entering data will not work when document protection is turned
off.

# 

# 

# Using Styles

The STI publishing guidance documents noted at the beginning of these
instructions give font and layout recommendations from the NASA STI
program. It is not mandatory that these particular fonts or layout be
used, as long as whatever is chosen shows consistency throughout the
document.

The font used in this document is Times New Roman (Windows) or Times
Roman (Mac).

Various heading and report text styles are already set up in the
template, as shown below and on page 1 of the template. New styles can
be created to suit your specific needs.

The text styles available for your report are as follows:

# "Heading 1 STI" -- 14 pt. Arial Bold, Centered {#heading-1-sti-14-pt.-arial-bold-centered .unnumbered}

This is the "Report Text" style for the body of your report. 11 pt.
Arial, flush left, 0.25 first line indent, widow/orphan control on, line
spacing single to accommodate inline equations.

## "Heading 2 STI" -- 12 pt. Arial Bold, Centered {#heading-2-sti-12-pt.-arial-bold-centered .unnumbered}

### "Heading 3 STI" -- 11 pt. Arial Bold Italic, Flush Left {#heading-3-sti-11-pt.-arial-bold-italic-flush-left .unnumbered}

#### ***"Heading 4 STI"*** -- Indented bold italic heading with paragraph. Highlight the rest of the paragraph, including the dash, and turn off the bold and italic.  {#heading-4-sti-indented-bold-italic-heading-with-paragraph.-highlight-the-rest-of-the-paragraph-including-the-dash-and-turn-off-the-bold-and-italic. .unnumbered}

*"Heading 5 STI"* -- *Indented italic heading with paragraph. Highlight
the rest of the paragraph, including the dash, and turn off the italic.*

-   This is "Report Text Bullet"

# Using Columns

If you need a multiple-column layout, or need to switch to multiple
columns at some point in the report, follow these steps:

1.  Ensure that the cursor is at the beginning of a line

2.  Select the Insert menu, Break..., and then choose the Continuous
    section break type

3.  Select the Format menu, Columns..., select a preset column layout,
    and click OK

4.  If you want to change back to one column, follow these steps again,
    selecting the one column layout

**Publications Review Checklist**

Check the following items before you release your document. Contact your
technical publications office to see what services are available to
assist you.

\_\_\_\_\_ Report is written clearly.

\_\_\_\_\_ All numbered or lettered items (figures, tables, equations,
references, and appendixes) are introduced in correct order.

\_\_\_\_\_ All numbered or lettered items are numbered or lettered
correctly and referred to accurately.

\_\_\_\_\_ No incorrectly or inconsistently spelled words or obvious
grammar or punctuation errors exist.

\_\_\_\_\_ No statements that will embarrass NASA or the U.S. Government
are included.

\_\_\_\_\_ Any conclusions presented are supported by the text.

\_\_\_\_\_ References cited are available with sufficient information to
identify correct document.

\_\_\_\_\_ Graphic and tabular data are clearly presented and are
consistent.

\_\_\_\_\_ Report complies with policies for restricted, proprietary, or
classified information.

\_\_\_\_\_ Appropriate technical review has been done.

\_\_\_\_\_ Appropriate release review requirements have been done prior
to releasing it external to NASA or at internal workshops or conferences
at which foreign nationals may be present. This is done via the\
NF-1676. (Contact your Center technical publications office to find out
the specific requirements.)

**Author Checklist to Publish Documents in the NASA STI Report Series**

\_\_\_\_\_ Determine if the NASA STI Report Series is appropriate for
your needs (NPR 2200.2B and http://www.sti.nasa.gov/)

\_\_\_\_\_ Determine with your Center's technical management and
technical publications office the appropriate report type and the level
of technical review (NPR 2200.2B)

\_\_\_\_\_ Contact your Center's technical publications office to
determine the following:

-   What publishing services are available, turnaround times, and costs
    (if applicable)

-   Help using the Agency templates that are available at URL
    http://www.sti.nasa.gov/

-   What is required if you need printed copies. \[Note: NASA requires
    electronic copies to NASA CASI.\]

-   What type of electronic file is required if you wish to add your
    document to your Center's Technical Report Server that links to the
    NTRS: NASA Technical Reports Server (http://ntrs.nasa.gov)

-   Tips on how to complete NASA Form (NF) 1676 (Scientific and
    Technical Information (STI) Document Availability Authorization
    (DAA)) or your Center's version of this form. This is an Agency
    requirement in order to release STI in any media

-   Advice on how to complete SF (Standard Form) 298 (Report
    Documentation Page), which is the last page of your document for
    NASA STI Report Series. This form facilitates correct indexing into
    the worldwide STI and other databases and accurate subsequent
    dissemination

\_\_\_\_\_ Complete the draft of your document

\_\_\_\_\_ Complete SF-298 and add it as the last page of your document
or have your publications office do this. If your document is an SP,
complete SF-298 and send it with your document but do not include it as
the last page

\_\_\_\_\_ Have appropriate technical personnel review and approve your
document. See review checklist for information on items to check prior
to publication

\_\_\_\_\_ Revise document, if necessary, and produce final document

\_\_\_\_\_ Send your document through your Center's appropriate channels
(appropriate channels are defined by NF-1676 or your Center's
equivalent); you may not publish STI in any format unless this form is
approved and on file at your Center

\_\_\_\_\_ Send to Center's technical publications or printing office

\_\_\_\_\_ Request that your document be added to your Center's
Technical Report Server, if appropriate (if your document is unlimited
and unclassified)

\_\_\_\_\_ Coordinate your document with your Center's publications
office, which will send it to NASA CASI:

> Attention: Acquisitions
>
> NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI)
>
> 7115 Standard Drive
>
> Hanover, MD 21076-1320
>
> E-mail: help@sti.nasa.gov