What is the purpose of formatting a transcript after proofreading?

The purpose of formatting a transcript after proofreading primarily revolves around ensuring that it adheres to legal guidelines and standards. In the context of court reporting, transcripts are not just verbatim records of proceedings; they must conform to specific formats that satisfy legal requirements and procedural norms. These guidelines ensure clarity, consistency, and accessibility, which is essential for legal documents that may be scrutinized in a legal setting.

Formatting involves organizing the transcript so that it is easy to read and reference. This includes aspects such as proper pagination, line numbering, speaker identification, and the inclusion of appropriate headers and footers. Meeting these standards is crucial as it impacts the usability of the document in legal processes and proceedings. By ensuring compliance with these legal guidelines, the formatted transcript serves its purpose more effectively as a reliable record of what transpired during a legal proceeding.