Abstract: Disclosed is a computer program and method of generating operative notes by a surgeon after a surgical procedure. The software and method include the steps of 1) displaying a list of patient cases for which operative notes need to be created, 2) displaying a procedure performed for one of the patient cases, 3) displaying a list of sections for an operative note and text that comprises a selected section from of the list of sections of the operative note, 4) inserting predetermined text into the operative note having indicia indicating where the surgeon must modify the operative note to include information specific to the patient upon which the surgical procedure has been performed, and 5) providing means for successively identifying the indicia where text must be inserted into the operative note.