Announcements

Virus Warning

(Note that we usually only put this type of thing in our Computer Tips newsletter, but this is so bad we're running it in everything.)

We've been seeing tons (read hundreds) of viruses coming in lately. Most of them are the "Klez" virus. This is from the same nasty family as the "Elkern" virus.

This one likes to share your confidential information with everyone it can find on your computer (address book, ICQ, local e-mail files). As an added bonus, it can disable your anti-virus software if it gets executed.

It spreads via e-mail, the subject line and attachment name varies. If you're in a networked environment and someone runs this attachment, it can (and probably will) infect the entire network.

If you have your virus definitions up to date that will stop this one before you can execute it. However, if you are not up to date and accidentally run this, it can disable your anti-virus protection and open you up for even more problems.

So, bottom line, get your anti-virus up to date. In Norton Anti-virus, open the program and click the "live update" button.

Don't wait to do this. I can't remember the last time we seen this many people infected with viruses. Just the other day we were talking to someone with eight computers in their company. They got hit with this and it took out six of those computers for a week. It cost them lots of time, they had to hire someone to come out and fix the mess, plus they lost TONS of money over it.

Don't let this happen to you. If you don't already have anti-virus software, now's the time to get some. We have our personal favorite, Norton Anti-Virus 2002, on sale for only $18.97 (CD Only - all documentation is one the CD). Shipping is free if you live in the US.

It took us awhile to find a supplier with it available (it's been selling fast). Head to the link below ASAP for more info.

http://www.worldstart.com/store/nortonav2002-MST.htm

Don't skip on AV protection. Without it, you can cause yourself and your friends all kinds of time, money, hassles, and headaches. For $18.97, is it worth taking a chance??

MS Office 101

Question: In MS Word, how do I move from cell to cell in a table without using the mouse? (A cell being each "box" within the table.)

Good question.

Last Thursday we discussed inserting tables. And for those of you who tried you may have found that when you hit the Enter key the row height grew but the cursor did not jump to the next cell. You may have resorted to using the mouse to click in each cell as you tried to move. Takes way too long, doesn't it?

So, what are some of the other options?

One way is to use the Tab key. This key will advance you one cell to the right. When you're in the last cell of a row it will advance you to the next row. Be careful though. If you're in the last cell of the last row it will add another row to your table.

Shift + Tab will move you one cell back.

To move from row to row use the up and down arrow keys. (Rows with multiple lines of data will take several movements with the arrow keys to get to the next row.)

Just a couple more quick-keyboard tips…

Alt + Page Up will move you to the top of the current column.

And guess where Alt + Page Down will move you. Yep, that's right, to the bottom of the current column.

Within that same vein, Alt + Home will move you to the first cell in the current row and Alt + End will move you to the last cell in the row.

There you have it. Table navigation, mouse free.

Office Tip of the Day

MS Word Table Mania - Part 2 - Working With Tables

Now that we've covered how to insert tables (see last issue) and then navigate within them, let's cover some of the other issues that arise while working with tables.

The last issue covered the options of evenly distributing rows or columns. What about the situations where you want the columns different widths? The first logical question that comes to mind: Is there an easy way to adjust the width of a column?

You bet!

Adjusting the width of a column can be done by running your mouse pointer over the vertical lines dividing the columns. When the pointer switches to a double-sided arrow click and hold. Now you can drag the side of the column left or right, creating whatever width you need.

Row height can also be adjusted in the same manner, using the divider line below the row. It is also important to mention that row height will automatically be increased when text wraps within a cell. (Provided that you have not set the height using an exact measurement under the Table menu, Cell Height and Width choice.) Something that automatically expands to fit … hmm… ever wish your clothes would do that?

Another way to set row height and column width is to click the Table menu, Cell Height and Width. In the resulting window you will have a row or column tab at the top to choose from. Keep in mind, changes set there will affect the row or column your cursor is currently in. To change settings for multiple rows or columns, highlight all cells that need to be changed and go through the menu to set the changes. If only that worked in real life, highlight all rooms, vacuum one and they're all vacuumed…in my dreams!

Within the cell of a table, the normal font formatting (font size, type, bold, italic, underline, etc…) and alignments (left, center, right and justify) can be completed. In addition, you can choose where to place the text within a cell of the table. You can align text to the top of the cell, the bottom or to the center. This option is extremely helpful with column headings.

The following buttons can set the alignment.

Another way to access alignment options would include the Table menu, Cell Height and Width, the row tab.

To change a single cell, right click in the cell to be changed and select alignments from the resulting pop up menu.

Once again, these changes will affect only the cell you are currently in or the cells highlighted at the time the changes are set.

Along the same lines as the text alignment there is the changing of the text direction. This option allows you to set text to read up or down.

You can access this option in several ways. One of them is the Change Text Direction button on the Tables and Borders toolbar. Each click of the button will cycle through the possible changes for the text, finally returning you to the original left to right text.

Another way would be to right click in the cell to be changed and use the Change Text Direction option on the resulting pop up menu.

You can also sort data within a table. The fastest way would be to click in a cell and then choose one of the sorting buttons on the Tables and Borders toolbar.

These buttons will sort either ascending or descending, depending on the button you chose. All data in each row is kept together as a row and moved at the same time.

I would like to note that this method works best when you have only one sort criteria. If you have multiple criteria, located in separate columns, (such as by date and then by name) then you should use the next method.

The other option for sorting is in the Table menu, Sort. A screen will open allowing you to choose your sorting options. This window will allow you to set sorting criteria using multiple columns. You can tell Word to sort first on one column and then for matching entries use a secondary column to determine order.

OK - so for today that was changing column width, row height, cell alignment, text direction and sorting data. Whew! I'm tired after all that, how about you? We'll consider it enough for one day.

On Thursday I'd like to wrap up the table discussion with a few ideas for jazzing up your tables and making them more useful.

See you then.