It is a human problem, but it's also a Microsoft problem. In fact, it was a problem created by the humans at Microsoft.
Why?
Compare Word to WordPerfect.
In WordPerfect you have far greater command over the document using not styles (you can write styles in WP, but it's a lot more difficult), but simple formatting options.
WP's preformatted styles options are also not a pervasive (i.e., they don't have a cascading effect on subsequent sections of the document).
The ability to create new styles without regard to the overall document structure is, essentially, the big stick approach to formatting.
And here's the real, true, kicker. Ever try deleting a style from the style list? It can get real ugly real fast... Even if the style isn't used in the document, you stand a good chance of locking it up.
Then you have WP's reveal codes feature. It shows you EXACTLY what's going on in your document regarding formatting.
Word won't do that. In order to get a semi-clear view of what's going on with a section of a document you have to scroll through about a half-dozen view options, each of which shows a PART of the formatting structure, and even then it's not a complete view because there are some things that simply don't show up no matter what.
Then there's the absolute complexity of some of the command structures, for example chapter and section numbering and tying that to page numbers. The process to do that is so complex that it's not to be believed. WP? It takes less than 30 seconds to establish linked chapter/section and page numbering.
Then there's a nifty little feature about text boxes...
Did you know that if you add a caption to a text box, which you'd do to keep the caption and its accompanying illustration together in the document, it won't generate to the table of figures? Ah, but there is a trick to getting it to generate to the TOC. You simply have to convert the text box into a frame. Finding that information in Word help, though, is almost impossible if you don't know exactly what to ask it.
It's painfully evident that Word was created by programmers who never took into account how the program would actually be used, or the types of users who would be saddled with it. It's also painfully evident that MS has (at least until recently) done little in the way of listening to comments from actual users of the program.
One of the most requested features has been a reveal codes format similar to that found on WP. It can be done, there are at least two companies that offer add-on software that do a credible job of it, but MS has consistently ignored those requests and instead has developed their piecemeal approach to revealing formatting.
There have also been numerous requests to add a feature to the automated references section that will allow generation of an acronym list. That's very easily done in WP. In Word? It's virtually impossible.
