Q: Can I use Word (or WordPerfect) to change the formatting of the bills?
A: We strongly recommend against this. It is a time-consuming additional step that is unnecessary if you create the proper bill format in RTG Bills.
Several years ago, billing software could not print the firm's letterhead on a bill. Nor could you use proportionally-spaced fonts like Times Roman. It was common with such software to use a word processor to enhance the formatting of the bills.
In RTG Bills, however, you can create a bill with nearly any format that you require. You can use different font faces and font sizes. You can even include a graphic logo as part of your letterhead. For a few examples of letterhead designs created in RTG Bills, click here.
When you choose Setup > Bill Formats in RTG Bills, you are using the "standard" bill formatter. Rather than asking you to lay out the bill by yourself, it lets you decide what you want on the bill, then it creates a design for you. For example, if you choose to show the timekeeper's initials on each fee, it automatically adjusts the other columns so everything fits within the margins. The tradeoff is that you can't specify the exact location of each item on the bill.
However, RTG Bills also has a "custom" bill formatter called Layout. This program does let you specify the exact location of each item on the bill. You can use bold, italics, underline, and different fonts wherever you wish. Layout can also customize the letterhead beyond the capabilities of the built-in Letterhead Design feature. Some further information about Layout is available here.
Let us know what your requirements are and we will be happy to tell you if RTG Bills can handle them. Send a message to RTG.