Common questions about editing client letters in Lacerte

Below are solutions to frequently asked questions about editing client letters in Lacerte.

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How do I create or customize a client letter in the program?

1. From the Settings menu, select Client Letter.
2. From the Folder menu, select New.
3. In the Confirm window (Begin with Lacerte Default), choose either Yes or No. 
   • Selecting No will generate a blank client letter.
4. Enter a name for the new client letter and click OK.
5. Under the Letter Navigation pane to the left, click the section of the client letter to enter text, update, or change.
6. Use the toolbar to make any formatting changes to the client letter, if necessary.
7. From the Folder menu, select Save when you're done.
   • The new client letter will display a number in the tabs above to identify the letter number for this new client letter.

Follow these steps to make this new letter the default letter for all returns:

1. From the Settings menu, select Options.
2. Click the Setup tab.
3. Enter the letter number in the Default Letter Folder field.

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Follow these steps to make this letter specific to a client or multiple clients:

1. Click the Detail tab.
2. Go to:
   • Individual - Screen 5.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Partnership - Screen 2.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Corporate - Screen 5.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • S-Corporate - Screen 4.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Fiduciary - Screen 3.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Exempt Org. - Screen 3.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Estate - Screen 3.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Gift - Screen 4.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Benefit Plan - Screen 2.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
3. Locate the Client Letter section.
4. Enter the letter number in the Folder number (99=Spanish, -1 =omit letter) [O] field.

If you need more information about client letters, go to the Help menu and select Help Topics.

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How do I make changes to the letter for one client?

1. Select the client in the Client list.
2. Click the Detail tab.
3. In the General section, go to:
   • Individual - Screen 5.2, Custom Client Letter.
   • Partnership - Screen 2.2, Custom Client Letter.
   • Corporate - Screen 5.2, Custom Client Letter.
   • S-Corporate - Screen 4.2, Custom Client Letter.
   • Fiduciary - Screen 3.2, Custom Client Letter.
   • Exempt Org. - Screen 3.2, Custom Client Letter.
   • Estate - Screen 3.2, Custom Client Letter.
   • Gift - Screen 4.2, Custom Client Letter.
   • Benefit Plan - Screen 2.2, Custom Client Letter.
4. Verify the client letter in the Letters list on the left.
5. Make any changes for this specific client, just as you would make changes to the main Client Letter.

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How do I edit the standard client letter?

1. From the Settings menu, select Client Letter.
2. Choose the tab for the letter that you would like to edit (1 is the default).
3. In the Letter Navigation section, select the section you want to edit.
   • You can open different sections by clicking the plus sign next to the item in the list.
   • You can edit the text within each section, but you can't create additional sections in the Client Letter.
4. Make the desired changes in the window.
5. Select Yes when asked if you would like to save changes.

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How do I change the date on the client letter?

1. Go to:
   • Individual - Screen 5.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Partnership - Screen 2.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Corporate - Screen 5.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • S-Corporate - Screen 4.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Fiduciary - Screen 3.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Exempt Org. - Screen 3.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Estate - Screen 3.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Gift - Screen 4.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
   • Benefit Plan - Screen 2.1, Invoice, Letter, Filing Instr.
2. In the Section list, click Client Letter.
3. Enter the date to print at the top of the client letter in Date (MMDDYY or –MMDDYY).

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What are the different client letter sections?

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How do I insert keywords in client letters?

You can use keywords as placeholders for information in your letter to create a generic letter and use it for multiple clients.  The program reads the keywords and replaces them with information from the client.

Follow these steps to insert a keyword in a client letter:

1.  Position the cursor where you want the keyword.
2.  On the toolbar, select the Keywords button.
3.  In the Categories list, select the type of keyword you want to use.
   • For example, if you want to insert the firm's name into this section, select Firm Information.
4. In the Keyword Names list, select the keyword you want to use. 
   • You can change what's displayed in the Keyword Names list by selecting a different option in the Categories list.
   • To sort the keywords alphabetically, select the Sort Keywords check box.
   • Select the Print Client Letter keyword in UPPERCASE check box to print the client the keyword you select in uppercase when the client letter is printed.
5. Select Insert.
6. When you're finished making changes to the letter, select Save from the Folder menu.

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How do I make changes to a client letter in a word processor?

You can make as many changes to the client letter as you'd like in a word processor. Type directly into the letter body, and use the toolbar to make formatting changes. Copy and pasting from Microsoft Word will cause formatting errors. However, you can copy and paste from Notepad or TextEdit.

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