In the development of products, manufacturing and advertisement is not the only thing which company needs to do, a business may also require to prepare a user manual by using user manual template. It assists people how to use things exceptionally without inconvenience.
When some product is being manufactured, then you generally have to make the user manuals as well. These user manuals will be very useful for the buyers to know about how to use the products so that they won’t face any kind of incovenience. There are a few products which do not need very huge manuals and for that sort of products, we can help with the User manual template. You can also see Instruction Manual Templates
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If you are able to provide one simple and smart user manual to the buyers, then you will be able to answer all their questions with ease. So, try our User manual template which is available in MS-word, PDF and PSD formats as well.
User Manual Template
jumsoft-website-files.s3.amazonaws.comUser Manual Template PDF
dgsapps2.dgs.ca.govThis template is a simple user manual for a web application. Since there are many web-based applications in the trend these days, it is important to educate users about the use of application. Therefore, to design an effective and informative user manual you can use this template. The template is written in standard user manual format so it would be easy to understand for user.
Sample User Manual Template
handheldgroup.comThis is yet another effective user manual template for technical product. If you wish to design a use manual template for your product then you can use the format of this template. This template provides all the necessary information and guidelines about the use of product. The template given here in example if of a handheld device and you can also download and edit this template for your specific requirement.
User Manual Template Example
h10032.www1.hp.comThe template given here is of a external hard drive and if you looking for some reference while making the user manual for your product then you can easily take reference from this template. This template contains picture of product with details, which makes easy for user to understand the use and operations of the product.
Free User Manual Template
space-explorers.comIf you are looking for an effective user manual template to guide the user for DEMO of your product, then this template will be very useful for you. The template given here is of a software service DEMO and it can be edited to use for any other product or service. The language used in this template is very easy yet effective; therefore, even a non-technical user can also get guidelines about the DEMO from this template.
User Manual Template Free Download
montezumapublishing.comFree User Manual Template PDF
cytoscape.orgSimple User Manual Template
proenergo.ruUser Manual Template PDF Free
osu.czExample of User Manual Template
ultra-nspi.comWhy We Need User Manual Templates?
A user manual is an important document, which is necessary to deliver thing with any product or service. The user manual actually helpful for the company who makes the product or provides the service as it give basic guidelines to consumer about how to use and if required how to fix the basic problems of a product or service. You can also see Process Manual Templates
An effectively designed user manual saves the time and money of both user and company if there is any small problem persists while using the product, which can be resolved by end user by following the steps given in the user manual.
When We Need User Manual Template ?
User manual templates are required to design an effective user manual for any product or service. Since there is different type of use manual required for different products or services, then these templates are required to design the required one for you.
User manual is required to give as and mandatory document with each product or service you sell, it should be written in simple understandable language so that end user can easily use the product or service. User manual will also help in troubleshooting the basic problems in product. A user just needs to follow the guidelines given in the manual.
How These User Manual Templates Will Help You?
Templates given here are free to download and any company or individual can use the required templates from here to write the user manual for its product or service. These templates contain many different type of example from and user manual for web based application to a user manual of a hardware product. You can also see Accounting Manual Templates
You can easily download one for your requirement from here and post editing; the same can be given to the consumer with product. These templates are designed by experts to help companies and individual for their user manual design. The simple yet informative language used in these templates, which is easily understandable.
An effectively written user manual always helps both company and consumer. Templates given here are few of the best examples of user manual and if anyone is seeking help in designing the user manual for her/him then it is recommended to take help from these templates.
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Related Posts
What is a User Guide? A User Guide explains how to use a software application in language that a non-technical person can understand. In general, user guides are part of the documentation suite that comes with an application for example, Data Sheets, Release Notes,Installation Guides andSystem Administration Guides.
Technical Writers will often create a Documentation Plan before writing their user guide. This defines the scope, size, delivery format and resources required to produce the actual user guide.
As the name implies, User Guides are written to help people understand an software application or IT system. They are also called User Manuals. When writing a User Guide, use simple language with short sentences. This writing style helps the user understand the application.
Our User Guide templates can be used to create user guides, user manuals, getting started guides and other types of technical documents. A User Guide is an online or printed book that describes how to use a software application.
User Guides are the first port of call when something needs to be read. As many people read user guides when frustrated and after having lost patience with the software, you need to write your material to address their concerns quickly.
User Guides are often written for non-technical individuals. The level of content and terminology differs considerably from, for example, a System Administration Guide, which is more detailed and complex.
This rest of article offers some guidelines to consider when writing your User Guide, such as:
- Identifying your audience
- Writing sections
- Defining style guide and standards
- Delivery formats
Identifying Your Audience
As with all types of writing, the first step is to define your TARGET AUDIENCE. Your target audience are the people who will user your document. As different readers have different requirements, you need to consider their specific requirements. Use this template to learn more about the target audience for your projects and what they want to achieve, for example, read your user guide, visit your website or buy your product.
The worksheets include 130 points you can use to capture demographic date so that you have a more holistic view of their wishes, desires, fears, and preferences.- Identify the target audience
User Manual Template For Software
- Identify their level of technical knowledge
- Identify how they will use the guide
User Manual Template For Web Application
Audience Definitions
In the planning process, develop an audience definition that identifies:
- The user
- The system
- The tasks
Software is used to do specific things. Users want to know what the software can do for them, for example, how to print a page in landscape.
They are generally not interested in the nitty-gritty technical details; they want to click a button and get a result. The User Guide is to teach them how the software helps them to do something.
Depending on the guide in question, you may need to address several audiences. For example:
- Programmers who will troubleshoot the program
- IT Managers who want to know the resources the program requires
- Project Managers who want to confirm that the original requirements were met.
If you are writing for more than one audience, develop an audience definition for each one. Examine the definitions and see if you can address all audience types with one document. In many situations, you may need to write a number of documents, of which the users guide is only one.
- When planning, use the audience definition to focus your decisions.
- When writing, the audience definition serves as a guide for the documentation team and as a benchmark for evaluating the results.
Here are some questions that will help define your audience's needs:
- Where will they use the document, for example, in the office, at home, in their car?
- How much experience have they of using your application?
- Is this guide an upgrade to an existing application?
- Is your application new? If so, you may want to include a Getting Started document to introduce the software.
- How will they use the user guide?
- Will they install the software by themselves or do so over the internet?
- What level of detail is required?
- Will graphics help their understanding of how to use your product?
Writing the User Guide
Each user guide is comprised of front page, body sections, and a back page. The following section describes what each of these needs to contain.
Front Page (cover pages)
Include a cover page, table of contents, and a preface, if necessary.
Cover and Title Page
If the user guide is copyrighted, include a copyright notice.
Copyright © 2020 The Name Of Your Company.
Place the copyright notice on the cover (and also the title page).
Disclaimer
Include a standard disclaimer inside the front cover that outlines the Terms and Conditions for using this guide.
Preface
Use this section to reference other documents related to the software. Make sure you refer to the correct release number for all software and documents that you refer to. If necessary, include a section on 'How to use this guide' as an introduction.
Contents
You must include a table of contents. the only exception is if your guide is less than ten pages, in which case you should probably refer to it as a Getting Started guide or Reference Guide.
If this user guide is more than twenty pages, include an index at the end of the document.
Body of the guide
This is the heart of the guide. In the main body, separate the procedures (also called instructions) from reference materials. This will help the user navigate their way through the guide much faster.
Procedures
Procedures help the user perform specific tasks. They are also known as instructions or tasks. Examples of these may include:
- When, why, and how you can perform a task, for example, printing a document, cropping an image, uploading a file.
- What the screen will show after you perform a task, for example, an updated view of your bank balance.
- Examples of tasks and program operation.
Writing procedures
Writing procedures involves the following tasks:
- Identifying the major tasks
- Separating each major task into subtasks
- Writing a series of steps that walk the user through each subtask
- Using an 'if-then' approach when explaining decisions that users can make.
Chunking text
Breaking large pieces of information into smaller piece of information is called 'chunking.'
When writing user guides, you can separate information by menu options and their respective consequences, for example, showing the user the results of each action.
Subtasks that need to be performed can be divided into chunks. Each chunk can form a new chapter or section within the guide.
Use a consistent format for each section, for instance:
- Introduce each section with an overview of the task to be performed
- Describe the inputs and outputs. In other words, what the user must enter into the system and what the system will do as a result.
- Describe the procedures for accomplishing these tasks.
Number your steps
When writing procedures, number each step and use the imperative form of verbs, for example:
Press ENTER
or
Click 'Yes' and press ENTER to submit your details.
Using the If-Then Approach
When users are allowed to make decisions, use an If-Then approach to show the different result for each decision they make.
If you choose 'Yes,' the program will make Firefox your default web browser. If you choose 'No,' it will set Opera as your default browser.
Use diagrams to illustrate more complicated procedures.
Reference Materials
User turn to reference material when they need detailed information on a specific topic, for example, settings or parameters they must enter.
Reference materials can include:
- Program options, for example, different menus and buttons that are presented to the user
- Keyboard options, for example, hold AltGr and 4 to show the Euro symbol
- Error messages that may arise when you use the application
- Troubleshooting tips to resolve these issues
- Frequently asked questions that the user may have about the software
Back Matter
Add a Glossary of Terms and an Index towards the end of the document.
Glossary
The glossary should cover all acronyms and industry terms used in the document. Help the user understand your material. Do not alienate them by using jargon and assuming that they know the meaning on these words.
- A short glossary can appear at the front before the table of contents
- A larger glossary should appear in the back matter.
Highlight glossary terms (by italics, for instance) the first time they appear in text.
Index
Any guide longer than 20 pages benefits from an index. An index helps users locate specific items very fast without having to search through the entire document manually. Large documents without an index are impossible to use efficiently.
Establishing Standards
As well as writing the guide, you also need to consider how the document will be delivered, for example, as a book, online or a PDF.
Areas that need consideration include:
- Format (the design and layout of the pages)
- Style (elements affecting readability, such as font, size, color)
- Other requirements that are specific to each delivery format. For example, PDFs may need security settings applied so material cannot be copied; partner logos may need to be added; terms and conditions may need to be updated.
Document Format and Structure
If you are writing a user guide for a client, rather then your own company, check if they use a specific style guide or have a preference for how the document should be presented. Check this with the client during the planning phase.
Use a document map to organize the guide. To do this:
- Use headings for organizing information.
- Include page numbers and section titles on every page, either in footers or headers.
- Consider using dual columns. This lets you put headings in the left-hand column and the text in the right-hand column.
Style
Word User Manual Template
Use an appropriate style. Decide on the technical level of your language, how you address the user, and conventions that are required.
Technical Language
Match the level of technical language with the audience ¯s level of proficiency. Always underestimate the knowledge of your readers rather than overestimate it.
Limit technical terms to those the user will encounter. If you must define a large number of terms, use a glossary to supplement definitions in the text.
Addressing the User
When writing procedures, use the active voice (e.g. Click this) and address users directly (write 'you' rather than 'the user').
When explaining an action, use the 'command' form of the verb:
'Choose an option from the menu and press [ENTER].'
Presenting your material
You can improve the readability of your documents by using specific formats to distinguish different types of information.
For example, you can distinguish the user's input from the system's response by:
- Indenting text
- Using columns to layout text
- Providing illustrations or photographs that highlight key areas
- Using different fonts and type features (bold, italics and underline)
Nonverbal devices, such as icons or diagrams, help supplement verbal instructions.
Special Requirements
If the guide is to be used outdoors, in a car, or on the move, make sure the font size is large enough to read easily.
Use spiral biding so the book does not to break easily, and high-quality paper so the text does not smudge or leave stains on the reader's hands.
PS - Download the User Guide Templates here