Processing a Job in AutoScript Desktop (ASD)

Processing a Job in AutoScript Desktop (ASD)

If you haven't already, follow the instructions in the section "Create New Job in AutoScript Web" above in this manual.

Opening a Job from ASW

After you open a job from the ASW dashboard, the ASD client will open and present you with this dialog.


By default, the job will have the same name you gave it during creation in ASW. If you want to change it at this stage you can. Perhaps you'll add the date you started the job or a version number. It's up to you. You may see the following error message:


This means you've already used that name for a job in ASD. You need to modify the name if you intended to open this job in ASD again. An easy thing to do is use the current date and time as an indicator of when you opened it in ASD.

Once you're happy with the name click [OK]. Now the Layouts Library will display. Select the layout you want to use with the job and a new button appears, Apply Layout to this Job.

Once you are sure you've selected the right layout for the job, click the [Apply Layout to this Job] button. ASD will remind you of the next step you need to take.

Place your cursor in the document where you need it and click the [Insert ASR text] button on the Job tab.

The ASR text is inserted. Now all you have to do is go to the File tab and click the [Save] button. Your job is created!
Now you can begin editing the document, or close the program and start later. It's up to you.

Editing - Adding Speakers to the List

As you'll remember from creating a layout, the Speakers list contains the participants that need to be defined in the transcript for colloquy and bylines. Before editing each transcript, add the job-specific participants to the Speakers List. You can add them as you go, but it's a little faster if you can get it done up front. Click the [Current Job Layout] button on the Home tab.

You will see the same dialog as when you created the layout initially. But this time you're editing the copy of the layout that is part of the job. Changes here only affect the current job. Add and edit your speaker list as needed.
In ASD you will either replace a speaker or insert a speaker using the built-in functions which we'll cover later. Whichever way you do it, you'll see a list like the following.

Let's say you're hard at work editing the file when suddenly you realize your speaker list is missing someone. You can just click the  button to edit the Speaker list right then and there. You can always edit the list using the [Current Job Layout] button as well.
NOTE - This applies to all of the functions that display a quick list of choices. Just click the  button to edit or add to the list.

Editing - Identifying and Replacing Colloquy Speakers

Begin listening to the synced audio and reading along in the transcript. As you come upon an ASR-identified speaker designation, such as "Speaker A:", you will be able to identify who the speaker is. You will then begin replacing the ASR-identified speaker with the correct name from the Speakers List. It's a few simple steps.
  • Once Speaker A has been identified, use your mouse to highlight "Speaker A: " (including the spaces after the tag) or place your cursor behind the two spaces after the colon and hold down Shift+Home on the keyboard. NOTE: If you set up your speakers in the Speakers List to have the colon and two spaces, then you will need to also highlight the colon and the two spaces.
  • Right-click on the selection and click Colloquy. You can also use the hotkey for Colloquy (the default is [Ctrl]+[4]).
  • The speaker list will display. 

    Select the correct speaker from the list by either typing the corresponding number on the keyboard, using the down arrow on the keyboard and then pressing [Enter], or double-clicking the name. This occurrence of "Speaker A:" and all future occurrences will be replaced with the selected name in colloquy format.
  • Repeat this process for all speakers as they are identified or for any change to a speaker using the colloquy format.

Editing - Inserting Speakers

There will be times when you need to insert a colloquy speaker where there wasn't already a speaker tag. In this situation, you will need to use the insert option rather than the replace option. 
  1. Press the enter key to start a new blank line. Right-click and click Insert Speaker or use the keyboard shortcut for inserting a speaker.

  2. The speaker list displays again. Select the appropriate speaker from the list by either typing the corresponding number on the keyboard, using the down arrow on the keyboard and then pressing [Enter], or double-clicking the name. The selected speaker is inserted in the colloquy format.

Editing - Insert Headings, Quick Text, and Quick Parentheticals

Headings, Quick Text, and Quick Parentheticals are all different sets of categorized text that transcribers use and insert into transcripts. These are used in addition to what was said during a proceeding. These text elements are defined in the job's layout. Refer back to the "Editing a Layout" section as needed.
  • To insert any of the Quick Text options, create a new blank line in the transcript using the [Enter] key.
  • Right-click on the blank line and click the quick entry type you need.

  • You can also use the hotkeys for each type of item. The defaults are: Quick Heading - [Ctrl]+[3], Quick Text - [Ctrl]+[6], and Quick Parenthetical - [Ctrl]+[7].
  • The quick text lists are just like the speakers list you've seen already. You can make your choice by either typing the corresponding number on the keyboard, using the down arrow on the keyboard and then pressing [Enter], or double-clicking the entry you need.

  • The quick text you selected should now be inserted with the style you assigned to that type in the job's layout.

Editing - Insert Bylines

Inserting a byline is a little different than inserting quick text since the byline needs to have a name associated with it. For this reason, inserting a byline has its own function.
  1. Create a new blank line in the transcript where needed using the [Enter] key.
  2. Right-click on the blank line and click "Byline". You can also use the hotkey for byline; the default is [Ctrl]+[8].

  3. Our old friend the speaker list displays.
  4. Select the speaker you want by either typing the corresponding number on the keyboard, using the down arrow on the keyboard and then pressing [Enter], or double-clicking the speaker you need.

Editing - Replacing Speaker Tags with Q&A

Most transcript editing will require you to replace colloquy with Q&A and then back to colloquy many times. Quick tools have been designed to accomplish this, including a quick tool to change from colloquy to Q&A.
  1. Highlight the full speaker tag using your preferred keyboard or mouse method.
  2. Right-click and click Q&A. You can also use the hotkey; the default is [Ctrl]+[5].

  3. The Q&A list displays. Select the choice you want by either typing the corresponding number on the keyboard, using the down arrow on the keyboard and then pressing [Enter], or double-clicking the choice you need.
When Q&A is interrupted by colloquy, simply change the questioning attorney’s Q back to colloquy using the methods shown previously.

Finishing the Transcript

When editing is complete, the transcript can be saved, exported, or printed. Saves and exports were covered previously. Let's talk about the printing options.

The print dialog in ASD is very much like what you might be used to in other office programs. From here you can choose what options you want to use whether printing to actual paper or a file. You can even print a PRN file from here provided you have the proper printer driver installed.


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