The purpose of LaoScript 8 is try and make using Lao on a computer as easy as using English or other languages that are fully supported by Microsoft, by means of a (user-modifiable) Lao Wordlist and Add-In menu functions that support dictionary-based text wrapping and spelling checking, sorting according to Lao alphabetical order, and conversion of text in documents between different types of Lao fonts.
In Microsoft Office applications, LaoScript 8 menus are added at the end of the normal context (right-click) menu wherever applicable, instead of in the menu bar (as in earlier versions of Lao Script for Windows).
All Lao Unicode text and Lao text in known "LSWin" coded fonts will be processed by the various Lao functions. Lao text using other types of (non-Unicode) fonts must be converted to either Unicode or "LSWin" coded fonts first. (See Converting Lao Text from other Font Types.)