Defined Terms

Understanding and managing Defined Terms in AllDrafts.

Understanding Defined Terms in Document Drafting with AllDrafts

Defined terms are a critical component of any contract. AllDrafts manages defined terms for you, enhancing both the drafting and reviewing processes.

In AllDrafts, a term is considered "defined" when it is enclosed in double quotes and appears in title case. Common examples of defined terms include "Agreement," "Effective Date," and "Company."

AllDrafts offers the ability to quickly navigate to the definition of any term. By clicking on a term from the list of terms in the right side panel users are not only taken directly to its definition but also see any instance of that term highlighted throughout the document. This feature simplifies the process of reviewing and understanding the use and scope of defined terms.

Filtering by Defined Term

A unique feature of AllDrafts is the ability to filter the document’s view based on a specific term. This filter shows only the paragraphs containing the defined term, effectively omitting unrelated sections and focusing the reviewer’s attention on relevant clauses.

You can do this by clicking the 'funnel' icon that is shown when you hover over a defined term in the side panel, or by right-clicking on any instance of a defined term in the document. The result is a 'Find' operation with the 'Filter hits' checkbox selected, which ensures that only paragraphs containing the searched-for defined term are shown.

Preview Window for Definitions

AllDrafts enhances the review process with a preview window that pops up when a term is clicked. This window displays an excerpt from the document where the term is defined, offering immediate context without the need to navigate away from the current view.

Renaming Defined Terms

Renaming a defined term in AllDrafts is a straightforward process that avoids the common pitfalls of find-and-replace functions. Users can rename a term through a dropdown menu or a right-click option, and AllDrafts will display a preview of the changes, applying them only where the term is used in its defined sense. This prevents unintended alterations in parts of the text where the term might appear in a different context.

Identification of New and Undefined Terms

AllDrafts continuously scans the document for new terms that could be defined or for terms that have been defined multiple times. It alerts the user to potential inconsistencies, encouraging a thorough and precise definition process. For instance, if a new term like "Reimbursement Payment" is introduced, AllDrafts will highlight it as a possible undefined term until it is officially defined, ensuring completeness and accuracy in the document’s terminology.

Conclusion

AllDrafts' defined terms functionality is designed to streamline the drafting and review process, making it easier for users to maintain consistency, clarity, and precision in their documents.