Open up Microsoft Word and begin a new document. Set up two columns for the packing list by clicking on the “Columns” icon on the tool bar. This will pull down a menu of 4 columns. Scroll over 2 columns; they will be highlighted in blue as you scroll. Click on the second column. This will set up the page in two columns. Select the font and font size you want to use for this packing list.
Place the cursor on the first line and type in the name of the first subcategory you want to include, such as, “Clothing,” “Toiletries,” “Health Aids” or “Miscellaneous.” Press, “Enter” and type the next subcategory. Continue adding subcategories in this manner until you have all you want. Then select all these titles and click “Bold.”
Place the cursor on the first line under “Clothing” and unselect “Bold.” Click “Insert” on the tool bar. Scroll down the menu and click “Symbol.” This will open up a menu that has a large box and a smaller one that is entitled, “Recently Used Symbols.” Under this is another small box entitled, “Character Code.” Put the cursor in the box next to this and type, “25A1.” This will highlight a white box. Click, “Insert” and “Close.” This will close the menu and place a white box on the document.
Type the first item for this section next to the white box. Then press, “Enter.” Insert another white box symbol and type the next item. Continue adding white boxes and items until you have listed all items you want. Include everything you might want for any future trip; you’ll adjust it for individual trips later.
Highlight the items in this section. Click on “Table” in the toolbar and scroll down and click, “Sort.” This will open a small menu. On the first section, make sure, “paragraph” is in the box and click the white circle next to “Ascending.” Click “Okay.” This will alphabetize all the highlighted items.
Continue adding items to each subcategory in the same manner. When you have listed everything you want on the packing list, create a folder and save this as a master packing list.
Adjust the packing list as needed for each trip. Sometimes this will require that you add items and other times it will require that you delete items. Save each subsequent packing list under different names. Eventually you will have a permanent packing list and several individualized packing lists for any type of trip you might take.
