Words are just words, or so one would like to think. Although both applications can produce nearly any document a law firm needs to produce, the file format architectures for the two programs are about as compatible as cats and dogs. WordPerfect adopts a linear approach to word processing and formats text using paired codes that turn attributes on and off. Formatting is accomplished at the character level, which affords users unparalleled flexibility. WordPerfect users can format as they go.
Word takes an object-oriented approach.
For Word to work efficiently, formatting decisions for the document need to be created beforehand. If Word users try to format on the fly, problems can occur. Both formatting styles have their partisans and detractors. Some praise Word for its ease of use, while others complain that Word imposes formatting decisions on users, rather than the other way around. Some find WordPerfect's formatting too user-unfriendly, but advocates praise its flexibility.