Deleting a few words

I frequently find I need to delete a few words. Instead of repeatedly pressing only the delete key - when you end up often deleting more than you planned - try simultaneously using the Ctrl and Delete key, this deletes one word. If you keep the Ctrl key continuously pressed, each press of the delete key, deletes one word at a time.
Practice this a few time and see how easy and fast this becomes.

Selecting a word or paragraph

Selection : Do you need to select part of what you have typed? Take the mouse anywhere on the word and double click.  And click 3 times when you want to select the entire paragraph. Now try various combinations of the arrow keys with Ctrl or Shift keys to see what all can be selected.

Repeat actions in Word, Auto Correct

Frequent bits:  Do you need to add the same things again and again. Try using AutoCorrect. First what is it that you type again and again. It could be your address for example which runs into a few lines, or even the closure to your letter - Yours truly, followed by a few blank lines and then follwed by your name in brackets. Next decide on a combination of letters ( I suggest 3 consonants) that you do not think you will ever use as such - say "vbn " (the space after them is always a good idea). Now open AutoCorrect and in Replace type "vbn " and in With type the repeated item. It works each time. Try it.

General Tips - Folders

1. Where to save? Folders: If left to its own, the software saves all files you create to the folder “My Documents”. If the files are small in number this is fine, but if you have a larger number, it's a good idea to create Folders for different purposes. Thus you might have a separate folder for, major areas of your work or home front, your family, your hobbies, your personal matters etc. Do give meaningful and logical names. Also remember that when you want to open this file you would have to know the folder name yourself.
2. Make or create a new Folder: This is actually quite simple, you would be having a small image or icon on your computer styled “My Documents”. Just take your mouse to it and click on the right side of your mouse. A whole lot of options will be displayed, select “New”, then “Folder”. On its own the name given is “New Folder”, then “New Folder2” which is not really helpful. So immediately change its name to a more logical one.
3. Right clicking on it allows you to rename the folder.

You can create New Folders not just in "My Documents" but also on the Desktop, within another folder, or anywhere else you want, using the same method.

Long Emails

When sending a long e-mail, you might like to type it out in Word. This helps in easy save, formatting, etc. Then, in place of using "Print", use the send button. There are two basic options - send this as the contents of the e-mail itself, or send it as an attachment to the email. Works really well if you already use Outlook etc.

Do you want to number your paragraphs automatically?

1.  While writing, a need is frequently felt to number the paragraphs. Microsoft Word allows you to do this quite simply by several means. The first is to give the software a clue that you want to do so - start your paragraph by typing “1.” Follow that by pressing Tab, and then tying your content. When the para is over, press Enter and the next para should automatically start with “2.” If the system is acting stupid and does not go ahead, try numbering the second para yourself and then the 3^rd should be automatic. The second method is to type a few words of your first para, right click somewhere and select the option of Numbering. This gives you a number of options – instead of 1., 2., you might prefer the style of say a), b) or any other available. The third option is to find Numbering on your Menu or toolbar.
2. There is also a provision to do Multilevel numbering i.e. paragraph 1. can have sub paras a, b, c, etc. Try using Tab and Shift alonqwith Tab to move between the various levels.
3. Instead of using numbering, sub-paras can be identified by Bullets – once again right click on the para and select Bullets. You can also select the symbol or style that marks the sub-paras.

It’s actually quite simple, do try it.

Excel and formatting dates

Entering Dates: While using Excel and entering dates a major difficulty that is usually faced is that of the format. The American style is to give the month first followed by the date; other countries follow different conventions. In India for example, the date comes first and then the month. Thus a date of 4/3/2011 would be read as 3^rd of April by an American but as 4^th of March by an Indian. Unfortunately the person who sets up your computer and loads various software usually does not bother to do the small adjustment that would take care of this. It is actually quite simple, go to the start button and then open the Control Panel. You would find a Regional Settings icon. Click on that and select the date option of your choice.

It is a good idea to simultaneously also select your language – the English language comes with a very large selection.