Working with WestlawNext: Downloading and printing documents without highlighted search terms

     The transition to WestlawNext from Westlaw.com changes many of the ways users expect Westlaw to work. As your faithful SOLL reference librarian I am often asked questions about the new interface. I will be addressing some of these questions in a series called "Working with WestlawNext"

     Today I will address a common complaint I received about the way WestlawNext delivers printed and downloaded documents. WestlawNext will by default highlight your search terms. This can be a problem if you plan to give the case to the opposing attorney or the court. Your research strategy could thereby be revealed. It is possible to change your settings so that WestlawNext will not highlight your search terms by default.

     If you would like to keep this information without highlighting the search terms in the case printout itself WestlawNext can generate a cover page. This page will contain the search terms that led to the document as well as the date the document was downloaded. Then, you can keep the cover page for your records without revealing the steps of your research.

Changing your Term Highlighting Preferences

1) Go to the preferences link at the bottom of any WestlawNext page:

2) In the preferences window select the "Delivery" tab and deselect the "Term Highlighting" item. It is possible to create a cover page that contains the search information and a date stamp. You can turn this on by default here as well by clicking the "Add a cover page to each request" item.

Changing your Term Highlighting Setting on One Document Only

It is possible to change these options on a single document only. After you click the download or print button:

You can change all of these options in the print or download popup box. Click on the "Layout and Limits" tab and then select the options you want. These selections will only apply for the current document.

Good luck! As always please feel free to contact us at the State of Oregon Law Library if you have any questions.

- Lewis Zimmerman

  State.Law.Library@ojd.state.or.us

  State of Oregon Law Library, Reference Librarian