Business Computing Tips
By K&K Fainges kfainges@...

We have been covering INSERT commands the last couple of weeks. You
can read these at http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech/insert.html.

This K-tips we will cover the INSERT command, INSERT => AUTOTEXT.
INSERT => FIELD will be covered next time.

Autotext allows you to set up shorthand so that rather than typing
the same things over and over again, the computer will automatically
add long terms in. One example is the company name.
Take my case, rather than typing K&K Fainges Computing Services, I
just type K&K and the computer replaces it with the whole name.

To add a new entry like a name, go to INSERT => AUTOTEXT, click on
the AUTOCORRECT button and write the shorthand version first in the
REPLACE box, (in this case K&K) and then in the WITH box, put the
full length text (i.e. K&K Fainges Computing Services).

This becomes very powerful when you use it in areas such as forms.
One example was a restaurant that had all the descriptions for
various dishes set up as shortcuts. Doing a new menu took moments,
instead of hours.
Formatting can also be applied so they are always in red for
instance. First format the text you want to add, then click on INSERT
=> AUTOTEXT.

You will notice with the AutoCorrect, it will also correct common
spelling mistakes and keyboard problems, (such as accidentally
leaving the CAPS LOCK on.)

The next button along is the AUTOFORMAT AS YOU TYPE button. Here you
can get the computer to automatically format bullet points as well as
a range of other things. More importantly, you can turn this off it
is bugging you.

Next is AUTOTEXT. The most common items put into letters and other
documents are added here. Just type it in and hit ADD. Then, when you
type, suggestions will come up on the screen. If you hit enter when
the suggested word comes up (normally in a small yellow box) then the
full word or phrase is added automatically.

AUTOFORMAT, also formats automatically as you type and you can turn
it off on on by clicking in the box next to the item you wish to
change.

Below the AUTOTEXT button on the menu bar, a list of common additions
is given so you can click on them to add them to your document.

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Please feel free to pass it on to your friends, just let them know I
wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Cert of
Vocational and Educational Training. All this is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that makes her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."