Microsoft Office 2010 Tip of the Week

Application: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word 2010
New in Office 2010 is the Backstage View. The File tab replaces the Office Button. The Backstage view is a place to create, manage, and save files and to set options for the application. Each application will offer specific features in Backstage View to adjust settings.
Backstage options ·     Info tab: for adjusting permissions; viewing document properties (status, categories, last modified and printed dates, etc.), using the document inspector. ·  Save & Send: offers multiple options for sharing and sending documents via email, PDF or as an XPS, or save to SharePoint. ·  Options tab: application specific features to adjust settings.

Bookmarks within a document

Application: Word 2010
When Word documents are lengthy it can be useful to use bookmarks to aid in navigation of the document. For example, if a document contains a table of contents, it can be convenient to make it interactive. Each entry in the table of contents can be bookmarked with the corresponding area of the document. This feature can be used with table of contents, headings, key words, or pictures and images in the document.
Adding a Bookmark 1. Select the information to apply the bookmark. 2. On the Insert tab, select Bookmark. 3. The bookmark dialog box will open. Enter a name for the bookmark (with no spaces). Hyperlinking the Bookmark 1. Select the heading, table of contents entry, keyword, picture or image that will go to the bookmark. 2. Right-click and select Hyperlink. The Insert Hyperlink dialog box will open. In the Link to section, be sure that Place in this Document is selected. 3. Select the bookmark name. 4. Click OK. For more information, see the Microsoft Office article Add or delete bookmarks.

Tip of the Week: Quick Steps

Application: Outlook 2010

Outlook 2010 features Quick Steps, a way to perform repetitive processes on email. Several Quick Steps are included as defaults, and you can customize a Quick Step for a specific situation. Quick Steps can be updated or modified as needs change.

Default Quick Steps

• Move to: Moves the selected message to a mail folder you specify and marks the message as read.
• To Manager: Forwards the message to your manager.
• Done: Moves the message to a specified mail folder, marks the message complete, and then marks it as read.
• Reply & Delete: Opens a reply to the selected message, and then deletes the original message.
• Create New: Create your own Quick Step to execute any sequence of commands, name it, and then apply an icon to help you identify it.

How to Create a Quick Step

1. In Mail, on the Home tab, in the Quick Steps group, in the Quick Steps gallery, click Create New.
2. In the Name box, type a name for the new Quick Step.
3. Click the icon button next to the Name box, click an icon, and then click OK.
4. Click the drop down box under Actions. Choose an action for the Quick Step. To add additional actions, click Add Action.
5. To create a keyboard shortcut, in the Shortcut Key box, click the keyboard shortcut to assign.
6. To create a tooltip text, enter the information in the Tooltip text field. The text will appear when the mouse hovers over the quick step.

Beginning of Semester Checklist

Tip: Beginning of semester tasks

1. Enhance course design and menu options
2. Combine multiple course sections into one shell (if applicable)
3. Make the course available

Enhance the course design and menu options:

1. Access your course
2. On the Control Panel, click on Customization and then select Style where you can:
   
   • choose a course menu style
   • manage how the menu is displayed
   • add/change the course banner
3. On the Course Menu, you can:
   
   • re-arrange the order of menu items by clicking on the double-headed arrow to the left of the menu item then dragging and dropping the item to its new position on the Course Menu
   • rename, show/hide, or delete a menu item by clicking on the action link next to the item
   • add a content area, a link to a course tool, a link to a course area, or an external link to the course menu by clicking on the Add (plus) symbol on the Course Menu

Combine multiple course sections into one shell (if applicable):

1. Access the course from which you want to move users
2. On the Control Panel, click on Packages and Utilities and then select Course Copy
3. Select Copy Course Materials into an Existing Course from the Select Copy Options dropdown
4. Click on Browse and, in the pop-up window that appears, select the Destination Course then click on the Submit button in the lower right-hand corner of the pop-up window
   • NOTE: The Destination Course is the course to which the enrollments will be copied
5. Place a checkmark next to Tasks
6. Place a checkmark next to Include Enrollments in the Copy
7. Click Submit
   
   • NOTE: You will receive an email notification when the enrollments copy is complete

Make the course available:

1. Access the course you want to make available
2. On the Control Panel, click on Customization and then select Properties
3. Under Set Availability, select Yes to Make Course Available
4. Click Submit

Document Properties in Microsoft

Application: Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2007 & 2010


Microsoft documents contain properties that can include the document title, author name, subject, and keyword tags. Using keyword tags can make searching for documents quicker and easier. When sharing documents with others, it is important to restrict editing if you do not want document properties changed.


Office 2007 document properties
1. In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, click the Microsoft Office button.
2. Scroll to Prepare and then click Properties.
3. The Document Information Panel will appear. Update any fields listed.
Optional: Click the down arrow by Document Properties to view or update Advanced Properties.


Office 2010 document properties
1. In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, click the File tab.
2. Click Info to view the document properties.
3. To update fields, click the field.
Optional: To see advanced properties, click Show All Properties.


Want to know more about document properties? Microsoft has more information for Office 2007 and Office 2010 users. When sharing documents with others, use the document inspector feature to reveal and remove hidden information. The Microsoft website features application specific articles about the document inspector feature.


For faculty, an interesting article from the Chronicle of Higher Education on Keeping Blind Review Blind by Anonymizing Documents.

Tip of the Week: mybrainshark

Web 2.0 Tools mybrainshark
Presentations that integrate both visual and audio can convey a message in ways that are appealing to audiences. Mybrainshark is a Web 2.0 tool that can be used to add audio via microphone or telephone to PowerPoint slides, documents, photos, videos, and creation of podcasts. The final product can be viewed online in a blog, unique URL on the mybrainshark site, email, or social media sites.


Highlights of the basic (free) account:
• Insert poll or survey questions
• Tracking data shows who, what, when, and where
• PowerPoint animations transfer
• Can add voice or MP3 files
• When uploading files, can add descriptions, categories, and keyword tags for easier searching
• Presentations can be modified at any time

Dividing Text in Excel

Application: Microsoft Excel 2007 & 2010


Have you ever needed to separate last name and first names in an excel spreadsheet? There are frequently times when spreadsheet data needs to be divided into more granular information in order to better sort, filter, alphabetize, or use in a mail merge independently.
Spreadsheets can be updated with Excel’s Text to Column command that can divide the data into separate columns.


Divide data in one column
*These steps apply to data where a space is used to divide. For data that is divided by commas or other, please see the article listed below.
1. Insert a column(s) where the divided data will be placed.
2. On the Data ribbon, select Text to Columns.
3. The Text to Columns Wizard will appear. In Step 1, select Delimited.
4. Click Next. In Step 2, select Space. Be sure to uncheck all other options.
5. Click Next. In Step 3, select Text.
6. Click Finish.

             

        becomes

For more information about this feature, please visit the Microsoft Office article.

Web 2.0 Tool of the Week: Second Life

Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is used by universities, businesses and individuals from around the globe.


An Invitation to See Second Life in Action
On April 12-13, TWU will host the Annual Student Creative Arts and Research Symposium. TWU uses Second Life during the symposium to allow students to present a virtual poster from off campus. As in real-life, presenters attend one session of the symposium by logging into Second Life from a computer and having their avatar present during a session. Students present their research to a global audience in addition to the visitors on the TWU campus.
A real-life viewing of Second Life will be available in ACT 225 and is open to the public. Student research will be presented at the following times in world:


Tuesday, April 12
12:00-12:50 p.m.
6-7:20 p.m.


Wednesday April 13
9-10:20 a.m.
12:15-1:00 p.m.
6-7:20 p.m.


In addition to a guided tour in ACT 225, visitors are welcome to try Second Life hands on in ACT 603 or from the convenience of your home. We invite you to join us in this celebration of student research!