It defines about 100 data field markers. The average dictionary compiler will use about 20 to 30 of them on a regular basis. The markers follow a mneumonic system for ease of learning and recall. Please note that Shoebox does not require you to use MDF . MDF works on both Windows and Macintosh computers.
Shoebox can check consistency of the lexical data before exporting it.
Since MDF uses document templates and character styles, it requires version 6 or later of Microsoft Word. A practical academic manual on lexicography, it includes principles for determining multiple senses, choosing good example sentences, and mapping a culture's networks of meaning. The Making Dictionaries book is out of print. It is included on the Shoebox CD-ROM . Only minor corrections to the 1995 text were made.