Posts Tagged ‘options’

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Overtype Mode in MS Word

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

There are two different editing modes you can use in MS Word — Insert mode and Overtype mode.

The default is Insert mode and when it is enabled, the characters you key in are inserted at the insertion point. Makes sense doesn’t it?

When you are in Overtype mode, however,  characters are not inserted but rather they replace whatever is to the right of your insertion point.

It is easy to discern which mode is enabled by looking at your status bar. If you see OVR then Overtype mode is being used. If the letters appear but are greyed out, then Insert mode is being use.

If you want to enable Overtype mode, one easy method of doing so is double-clicking the letters on your Status Bar. the letters will then become bold and you can make any edits you wish. If you double-click it once more, Insert mode will again be enabled.

If you cannot see your Status Bar in version 2007, you can still turn Overtype on and off. Follow the steps below to learn how:

  1. Click the Office button and Word Options to display the Options dialog box.
  2. On the left, click Advanced.
  3. Select Use Overtype Mode, which can be found in the Edit portion of the list.
  4. Click OK.

In earlier versions, follow these steps:

  1. Click on Tools | Options to display the dialog box.
  2. Be certain the Edit tab is selected.
  3. Select Overtype Mode.
  4. Click on OK.

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Posted in Microsoft Office Word, Word 2003, Word 2007, Word 2010 | No Comments »

Using an Em Dash

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Similar to an extended hyphen (-), an em dash is used to show a break in thought or a shift of tone. Most keyboards and software programs lack the em dash and so it must be created using a special function key or by entering two hypens in between words.

In MS word, you can use two hyphens to obtain an em dash. Word intuits that you have finished your word following the dashes and replaces them with the em dash.  If you do not have this capability enabled though, there are a few other ways that you can place an em dash in your documents.

Follow the steps below to learn how:

  1. Use the shortcut key combination of CTRL + Alt + Minus on your numeric key pad. You must use the numeric keypad for this to work.
  2. Depress your Alt key as you key in 0151 on your numeric keypad.
  3. Click on Insert | Symbol and select the Em Dash from the Special Characters tab.

If you do not have the capability enabled to use two dashes to obtain an em dash follow these steps to enable it:

  1. Click the Office button and Word Options.
  2. In the dialog box, click Proofing and AutoCorrect Options.
  3. In Autoformat as You Type, Select Hyphens (– ) With (—) dash.
  4. Clik OK.

In earlier versions:

  1. Click on Tools | Autocorrect Options.
  2. Click the Autoformat As You Type tab.
  3. Select Hyphens (– ) With (—).
  4. Click OK.
  • If you need an em dash in HTML, the code would be —

 

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Control the Display of your Formula Bar in MS Excel

Friday, January 13th, 2012

For those of you who do not know, your Formula Bar in MS Excel is located at the top of your screen, bust underneath your Ribbon or the Formatting toolbar, depending upon which version of Excel you have a license for.

The Toolbar is comprised of two parts:

  • On the left-hand side is the Name Box;
  • On the right-hand side is the contents of your currently selected cell.

Now sometimes you may need more real estate to view one of your worksheets and sometimes you just don’t need to see the information provided in your Formula Bar and the good news is that you can turn it off if you do not need it!

Follow the steps below to learn how:

Versions 2007 – 2010:

  1. Click the Office button | Excel Options to display the Options dialog box.
  2. Click Advanced on the left-hand side.
  3. Scroll down until you see the Display options.
  4. Click on the Show Formula Bar check box.  If it is currently selected, then your Formula Bar is displayed. If you deselect it then your Formual Bar will not be displayed.
  5. Click on OK.

Earlier Versions:

  1. Click on Tools | Options to display the Options dialog box.
  2. Be certain the View tab has been selected.
  3. Click on the Formula Bar check box. If it is selected then your Formula Bar is selected. If you deselect it, your Formul Bar will not display.
  4. Click OK.

Note:   You can also view your Formula Bar option from the View tab of your Ribbon or from the View menu. This operates as a toggle: Click on it one time and the Formula Bar disappears – click on it again and it will reappear.

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Posted in Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office Excel | No Comments »

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