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FAQs

BriefCatch Standalone FAQs

Applies to: BriefCatch Standalone, Enterprise

Last Updated: Dec 21, 2023

The items in this section are questions relevant to BriefCatch Standalone and may not be applicable to BriefCatch 3 or BriefCatch 2.

Quick Links

Download & Installation

Does BriefCatch Standalone work on Macs?

No. We suggest Mac users try BriefCatch 3 which is Mac compatible!

Does BriefCatch Standalone work with Office365?

Yes. BriefCatch Standalone works on Word 2013 or later.

Note: BriefCatch Standalone is not compatible with Word Online.

What are the minimum system requirements to run BriefCatch Standalone?

Windows 7 or newer operating system with Word version 2013 or newer.

Note: BriefCatch Standalone is not compatible with the online version of Word.

How do I download BriefCatch Standalone?

Please contact our support team for assistance.

My browser is warning me that BriefCatchInstaller.exe may be unsafe.

Some browser settings may prevent .exe files from being downloaded, or warn you that the file may be unsafe. If prompted, make sure you mark BriefCatchInstaller.exe as safe so you're able to access the file.

Are there any prerequisites for installing BriefCatch Standalone?

The only requirements are a Windows PC with Word.

How do I install BriefCatch Standalone?

Installing BriefCatch Standalone is a piece of cake: you simply download an .exe file and then open it to start the installation process. It takes about 30 seconds. The next time you open Word, BriefCatch S will be the last tab on the right.

Note: Make sure Word is closed before you install BriefCatch Standalone.

After I installed BriefCatch Standalone, I received a notice upon opening Word. What does this mean?

The first time you open Word after installing BriefCatch Standalone, you may be prompted to confirm the installation. If so, click the Install button.

bcs-verified-publisher-1

There is no BriefCatch S tab in Word after installing or updating BriefCatch Standalone.

This can occur if the software was installed using administrative privileges, then a user account without the same administrative privileges attempts to run it. It can also occur if it was installed by a different user account then the one you are using. By default, BriefCatch Standalone installs to the user account that is logged in and is only accessible by that user account. (If you're installing BriefCatch Standalone on a work computer, your IT department should be able to verify this.)

This can also occur if Word was open while BriefCatch Standalone was installed. To help resolve this, completely uninstall BriefCatch Standalone, restart your computer, then try installing BriefCatch Standalone again. Make sure Word is closed before running the installation again.

If reinstalling BriefCatch Standalone does not solve this issue, please follow the steps in our documentation or contact our support team.

I see a BriefCatch tab in Word but BriefCatch Standalone does not work.

If BriefCatch Standalone will install but does not function, please contact us for help.

How do I know which version of BriefCatch Standalone I’m running?

Under the BriefCatch S tab in Word, click About. The installed version will be shown like the screenshot below:

bcs-version

How do I update the BriefCatch Standalone software?

Please reference this guide or contact our support team for assistance.

How often is the BriefCatch Standalone software updated?

BriefCatch Standalone is updated every 3-6 months.

How do I uninstall BriefCatch Standalone?

To disable the add-in within Word, click on File - Options, then click on Add-ins. Next to Manage COM Add-ins, click Go. Uncheck BriefCatch Standalone for Microsoft Office.

You can completely remove BriefCatch Standalone from your computer in two ways:

Open the installation file and select Uninstall.
Click the Windows Start Menu and type "Add or remove programs", then click on it. Find BriefCatch Standalone within the list, click on it, and choose Uninstall.

View our uninstall documentation if you need more thorough instructions.

Does BriefCatch Standalone work with Google Docs?

No.

Does BriefCatch Standalone work on mobile devices?

No.

Features

How do I use BriefCatch Standalone?

Once installed, BriefCatch Standalone will appear as a tab within the ribbon in Word. Click the tab to access the BriefCatch Standalone functions. For more information, you can reference our BriefCatch Standalone User Guide.

What functions does BriefCatch Standalone provide?

bcs-ribbon-1

Style: This feature taps into thousands of editing possibilities designed to make the document crisper, tighter, and more precise. The edits are all automatic—you just “Accept” or “Ignore” each one—with no rewriting needed.

Consistency: This feature focuses less on style and more on pure accuracy. With one click, you can spot and fix inconsistent language, formatting, and punctuation along with commonly confused words and citation errors.

All: This feature explores nearly every aspect of a draft. On top of all the automatic style and consistency checks, you’ll be prompted to recast passive constructions, streamline quotations, cut dates, shorten sentences, and vary your transitions.

Clear Catch: Clears the BriefCatch Standalone markup.

Scores: Scans the document and displays global statistics based on five proprietary algorithms that each yield a maximum score of 100.

Report: Generates a detailed report of the document’s style strengths, weaknesses, and wording patterns.

Send Feedback: Allows you to share feedback, report issues, or make suggestions.

About: Displays information about the BriefCatch software and license.

Resources: Online link to relevant articles and longer explanations.

Update Available: Shown if there is a new version of BriefCatch Standalone available to download. (Can be hidden for 30 days.)

Purchase: Online link to purchase a BriefCatch Standalone license. (This icon will display only if you don't have an active license installed.)

Can I run BriefCatch Standalone on part of my document?

Yes! By default, the Catch function will run on the entire document. However, you can also select the text you'd like to analyze before clicking on Catch. BriefCatch Standalone will only analyze the selected text.

What is Subscription Sign-In?

You can use our Subscription Sign-In feature to automatically manage your license.
This will allow you to connect your BriefCatch account to the BriefCatch Standalone software. See our Subscription Sign-In guide for more information.

What is Accessibility Mode?

Enabling Accessibility Mode adds these features to BriefCatch Standalone:

Easier keyboard navigation.
Support for some screen readers.
Easier-to-read text through the contrast ratio.
Ability to use the keyboard to select all actions and links.

See our How to Enable and Use Accessibility Options with BriefCatch Standalone guide for more information.

Does BriefCatch Standalone connect to the cloud or any servers?

While scanning documents, BriefCatch Standalone only runs locally. It never connects to the cloud or to any servers, nor does it track or report any usage data to us or to any third parties.

Licenses

How much does it cost to purchase a BriefCatch Standalone license?

Please contact our support team for assistance.

What kind of licenses do you offer?

BriefCatch Standalone is currently available on an annual basis.

Can I purchase a monthly license?

No. We offer only annual licenses for BriefCatch Standalone. Monthly licenses are available for BriefCatch 3.

How do I install my BriefCatch Standalone license?

You can use our Subscription Sign-In feature to automatically manage your license.

Alternatively, you can find your license file on the BriefCatch portal. Click the BriefCatch Standalone tab, then click the download link to save the license.key file to your computer. Don't try to run or open the file, just save it to your computer in a location you will remember, such as your Downloads folder.

To install your BriefCatch license, do not open the license file directly. Open Word, then click on About under the BriefCatch tab. From there, click on Install License. Navigate to the license file you downloaded above and press Open. You will then receive the message "Your license was successfully imported."

How do I know when my BriefCatch Standalone license expires?

The download page on our website shows the details of your license, including expiration.
You can also view your license details, including when it expires, by clicking the About button under the BriefCatch S ribbon within Word. You will see details like the screenshot below:

bcs-license-info

My license file was rejected or will not install properly.

If you’re having trouble installing your license, please contact us and include the error message you’re receiving.

How can I cancel my BriefCatch Standalone subscription?

You can cancel the auto renew option at anytime by visiting the Subscription tab on the my account page. Simply click Cancel to disable auto-renew.

Your BriefCatch Standalone license will still be active until it expires, but you will not be billed again unless you decide to renew your license.

Do you offer discounts for enterprise or bulk purchases?

We are offering trials and special pricing case-by-case for groups. Groups are generally ten or more people. See our sales page for more information.

Free Trial

How long is the BriefCatch Standalone free trial?

7 days. During that time, you will have full access to the BriefCatch Standalone software.

How do I sign up for the BriefCatch Standalone free trial?

Please contact our support team for assistance.

Is a credit card required to use the BriefCatch Standalone free trial?

No. The only requirement is registering an account by providing your name and email address.

Do I need a license for the free trial?

No. Simply download and install the software and BriefCatch Standalone will work for 7 days.

I'm receiving an error message that says my trial has expired.

If you're receive an error message related to your free trial immediately after installing BriefCatch Standalone, or anytime prior to the 7 days, please contact us for further assistance.

Can I sign up for the free trial more than once?

No. The free trial is limited to one time per user.

Can I put my trial on hold after signing up?

If for some reason you would like to put your trial on hold or change the start to later in the future, please contact us for assistance.

How can I keep using BriefCatch Standalone after the free trial expires?

After the 7 day trial, BriefCatch Standalone will no longer function. To keep using it, you simply need to purchase an annual license.

How can my company/firm/court request a free trial?

We offer extended free trials on a case by case basis. Please fill out our sales form for more details.

Account Information

How can I log in to the website?

You can log in here.

Where can I find details on my BriefCatch Standalone subscriptions and payments?

Visit your account page under the Subscriptions and Payments links.

I’ve forgotten my password.

We do not have access to any member’s passwords. If you’ve forgotten yours, you can manually reset your password here.

I’ve forgotten which email address I used to register.

Please contact us and we can help you.

How can I provide feedback, endorsements, or suggestions?

Please fill out our contact form. We would love to hear from you!