Formatting Specifications for Owner & Architect Requirements

In this episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by Beth Strochaine, founder of Applied Building Information and long-time RIB SpecLink power user, to reveal how to format specs in minutes instead of hours. Beth walks through how SpecLink’s templates, numbering tools, global terms, and project-wide updates can handle even the most “painful” client requirements—without tedious, manual edits.

Packed with real-world examples, time-saving tips, and a few hilarious anecdotes, this episode will help you spend less time formatting and more time producing accurate, high-quality specifications.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to apply and customize SpecLink formatting templates for projects or sections
• Managing section numbering styles and IDs across an entire project
• Line spacing tips that actually make visual changes (and avoid rookie mistakes)
• Controlling headers and footers for consistency and client-specific standards
• Using global terms to avoid embarrassing find/replace errors
• Tricks for linking reference-only sections and speeding up setup
• Beth’s personal workflow hacks for stress-free formatting