Category: Application Tips

Categories
Application Tips

Using Audacity

audio-amplifier-gain-controlsAudacity is a great open-source application for editing audio files.

Whether you're capturing old cassette tapes or editing recordings from a digital recorder, this freebie is just the ticket.

Here are a few resources to help make the best of it;

Categories
Application Tips Office Productivity

Updating Fields in Word

imgresTo Update Before Printing (Word 2010)

Select File ▸ Options ▸ Display, then select the checkbox “Update fields before printing”

Macro to Update Fields

This macro can be attached to a function key or hotkey for convenience.

Sub UpdateAllFields()
  ActiveDocument.Fields.Update
End Sub

Update Fields on Document Open

From the Visual Basic Editor and open the project that corresponds to the document.

Withing the Microsoft Word Objects branch for the dicument, double-click the ThisDocument object.

In the code window that appears, select Document in the object list and select Open in the event list.

Add the following code statement to the Document_Open() stub that displays (you may need to add the Document_Open function, otherwise uy :

ThisDocument.Fields.Update

AutoOpen/AutoExec Macros

These macros are another approach to automatically updating fields.  For mor info on how they work see this Microsoft article.

The sample macro below updates fields on open, and whenever the document is printed.

Sub AutoOpen()
    With Options
        .UpdateFieldsAtPrint = True
    End With
    ActiveDocument.Fields.Update
End Sub
Categories
Application Tips

Online Gradient Image Generator

I recently needed to quickly generate a gradient image for a website, and found this among the very useful tools I've used before from Dynamic Drive. Simpler and faster than using a graphic editor.

Gradient Image Generator

Categories
Application Tips

Creating a repeating 3-up flyer in Microsoft Publisher 2007

Microsoft Publisher can be used to create repeating content in a flyer format.

Imagine that you want to subdivide a letter size page – in landscape mode – into three vertical panes, with the same content repeating the the tree panes.

You work with the content in one pane, and when printed, the content will repeat into the other two panes.

The key seems to be to understand the distinctions between page setup and print setup, and when in the Page Setup > Advanced "Custom Page Size Dialog" understanding the distinction between 'Page' and 'Sheet'.

When you click File > Print Preview, you'll see a 3-up presentation with 3 identical content panes.

Here's a rough guide to what worked for me:

File > Page Setup
 
  Advanced
 
    Custom Page Size Dialog
 
    Layout Type:
      Multiple pages per sheet
 
    Page:
      Page Width:  3.6666"
      Page Height: 8.5"
 
    Options:
      Target Sheet Size: Custom
      Sheet width:       11"
      Sheet height:      8.5"
 
File > Print Setup
  Printing options: Multiple copies per sheet
  Paper size:       Letter
  Orientation:      Landscape
Categories
Application Tips

Alternation Row Colors in Excel

Follow the steps below to set up alternating row colors in Excel:

  • Highlight the rows that you wish to apply the formatting to. You can also select the entire sheet.
  • Under the Format menu, select Conditional Formatting.
  • When the Conditional Formatting window appears, select “Formula Is” in the drop down list.
  • Enter the following formula: =mod(row(),2)=1
  • To select the color you want to see in the alternating rows, click on the Format button.
  • In the Format Cells window, select the Patterns tab. Then select the color you want to use and click OK.
  • Click OK again to close the Conditional Formatting window.