In Part I of my “Creating Tables” tip, I discussed what a table was, how to create them, and some basics on how to customize them. In Part II of the tip, I discuss how to use reverse text, cell coloring, sorting, formulas and create a form all with tables.
Application Tips
20
Jul 09
Creating Tables in Microsoft Word – Part I – Video Tip
Since many of us in the post-35 year old set learned how to type and create documents with a typewriter, we tend to try and use computer word processors like a typewriter. The two technologies couldn’t be further apart from each other and other than touch typing, we need to throw out almost all our knowledge of document creation from those days. Continue reading →
4
Jul 09
Using templates can save you time
photo credit: Baptiste Pons
The old adage of not reinventing the wheel applies perfectly to computing and document creation. Why spend time creating a document from scratch if someone else has taken the time to put the same type of doucment together already?
A template, in computer lingo, is a pre-formatted document like a resume, flyer, labels, invoice, etc. that you can adapt for your own use. If you are short on time or don’t really have the skill level to put together a more complex document, search for a template and chances are you will find one that fits your needs.
Here are some links you will want to keep handy for online and traditional office products.
9
Jun 09
Save as you edit and create
photo credit: Anonymous Account
I regularly talk about backup on this site and on the radio show. One part of backup that you might have overlooked is the process of saving the work that is currently on your screen. Whether it be an email, a word processing document, a movie, a photo or any other file you are editing, saving as you work always pays off.
The process is simple, the habit takes perseverance.
Save and name your project as soon as you begin them. By doing this, you can simply click the SAVE button (looks like little floppy disk on the toolbar) or push Ctrl+S keyboard shortcut every five minutes or so that you don’t lose your work.
Since you already named the document/project, using the save feature is quick and easy as your work on it. I guarantee at some point in your computing life time, you will thank me for this tip…or curse yourself for not putting it into action.
13
May 09
Use keyboard shortcuts to save time editing text – Video Tip
Save some time when editing any type of text document (email, word processing document, blog, etc) by learning these keyboard shortcuts:
- Press Home to get to the beginning of a line
- Press End to move to the end of a line
- Press Ctrl + Home to get to the top of a document
- Press Ctrl + End to get to the end of a document
- Press Ctrl + Up Arrow to get to the beginning of a paragraph
- Press Ctrl + Down Arrow to get to the end of a paragraph
Watch the video below to see these shortcuts in action. You can also search my site for “keyboard shortcuts” to find other handy keyboard shortcut tips.
BONUS TIP: Microsoft Word only keyboard shortcut:
When you open an existing Microsoft Word document, Word places the insertion point at the beginning of the document by default. However, if you would like to move the cursor to the location it was in when you were last working on the document, simply press Continue reading →
31
Mar 09
Email of the Week – 001
photo credit: cindy47452
Starting today, I will be posting a minimum of one email from your submissions here on the web site in addition to my regular weekly feature Rick Answers His Email Videocast. I will title them all the same way and they will have their own category you can access from the Category list on the right of every page here at HelpMeRick.com. I will also include the original email (via submissions from the Ask a question form listed at the top of every page here at HelpMeRick.com).
QUESTION:
Name: Raymond Lafontaine
From: Woonsocket RI
OS: Windows XP
———————-
I have been trying to find the right download for free foxit for my other computer but it keep bringing to other foxit purchase, can you help
ANSWER:
29
Mar 09
How to upgrade to AVG 8.5 Free – Video Tip
AVG released the new version of their security software about two weeks ago. Many of you have asked, should you upgrade and if so, how. Follow these steps and watch this video on how to get through process quickly and correctly. It is imperative that you both read these instructions and watch the video.
- Visit my site and scroll down to my Links & Resources section on any web page here at HelpMeRick.com
- Click AVG Antivirus one time under the Security section
- You will now be linked to a safe download of AVG at Download.com
- Click the Download Now option UNDER the title of AVG AntiVirus Free Edition 8.5
- Wait for a few moments (ignore all flashing ads), and the download will start by asking whether you want to open/run or save the file…choose Save
- Choose your desktop as the save location, and Continue reading →
11
Feb 09
Stop the Microsoft Office Agreement (EULA) from popping up every time you start Outlook, or Word or Excel
If you are using Microsoft Office 2003 and Windows Vista, you might run into a situation where the End User License Agreement pops up every time you start Outlook, Word, Excel or other Office programs. No matter how many times you click “I agree”, the license keeps appearing. To stop the EULA from appearing, follow these steps:
- Close ALL Microsoft Office related programs (Outlook, Publisher, Powerpoint, Excel, or Word)
- Click Start –> Computer
- Double-click the C drive (your primary hard drive)
- Double-Click the Program Files folder
- Double-Click the Microsoft Office folder
- Double-Click the Office 11 folder
- RIGHT Click on any of the Office applications (Winword, Outlook, Excel)
- Click Run as Administrator
- The program will start and ask you to agree to the EULA (agreement) again and click I agree or Yes
- Close the program
- Close all open windows
Now you can use your Office 2003 programs normally.
22
Jan 09
What to do with an AVG found virus sreen
If you use AVG Antivirus, you will be presented with the above screen at some time or another. Don’t immediately push the Move to Vault button or the Heal button. Instead, check the box labeled Remove as Power User, then click the Heal button. Checking that box first yanks the legs out from the virus and disposes of it immediately.
2
Dec 08
Microsoft Word’s AutoComplete and AutoCorrect Functions – Video Tip
If you use Microsoft Word, you may notice that at the end of a letter, if you start typing ‘Sin’, a little yellow box flashes up with ‘Sincerely’ in it. Likewise, if you start a letter with ‘To whom’, the box flashes at you with ‘To whom it may concern’.
These little yellow boxes are part of Word’s Auto-Complete and Auto Format functions. Microsoft Word tries to guess what you are going to type next and flashes suggestions to you. If the suggestion is correct and you press Enter on your keyboard, Word quickly enters the word or phrase in your document.You also notice it when you mistype the as hte and Word corrects it for you.
1. You can add to the library of Auto-Complete phrases by following these steps in Word 2003 and all prior versions:
2. Click Tools from the Word menus
3. Click Auto Correct
4. Click the Auto Complete tab (Auto Text in Word XP)
5. Type as many entries as you would like and press Enter on your keyboard after each one (your name, company, church name, etc)
Auto-Correct takes the automation a step further. Use it to replace an abbreviation or a few characters into an entire phrase or sentence or paragraph if you like. For example, if I type ‘rc’ in Word, as soon as I push the space bar, Word inserts ‘Rick Castellini, MCP’. Here’s how to use it:
1. Follow Steps 1-3 above
2. Type a short phrase or abbreviation in the “Replace” box
3. Type what you want Word to insert in place of that phrase in the “With” box
4. Press enter on your keyboard
Word 2007 users can find the AutoCorrect by:
1. Click the Office Orb in the upper left hand corner
2. Click Word Options
3. Click Proofing
4. Click the AutoCorrect options button and follow the steps as above.
Try these simple, but highly effective techniques and you will find yourself starting to save some time when word processing. I have put together a short video demonstration for you to see this tip in action below.
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HelpMeRick.com started as a monthly tip site for beginners in 1996, and now supports our popular call-in computer show, and hosts thousands of useful computer tips and links.