Diana’s Tips

Many people like having some form of notification when the caps Lock key has been inadvertently activated. Although, there is no way of receiving a visual notification, unless you use a third party application, you can receive an audible notification to alert you.
To configure Windows XP to audibly notify you when you press the […]

A shared workbook can be edited by multiple users at the same time. This way you do not need to keep multiple copies of the same Excel spreadsheet if input from more than one user is required.
To edit a shared workbook, you must first locate and open it from its network location. Then click the […]

There are a few different ways that you can create a bulleted list in Word. However, one thing you have probably noticed is that there is no keyboard shortcut for creating bulleted lists - unless you create a custom shortcut.
If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, you can easily create a custom keyboard shortcut using […]

Have you ever wondered how to draw a single line across the page of your Word document? You could insert a line using the drawing toolbar, but there is a much easier way of accomplishing this.
To add a line across the page, type three consecutive hyphens and press Enter. If you want to add […]

Here is a quick tip that lets you save or close all open Word documents at once. Hold down the SHIFT key when selecting the File menu. Two additional menu options appear: Save All and Close All. By selecting one of these options, Word will either save all your open files or close them.

The Medical […]

Microsoft Word is designed to make it very simple for us to create a word document. It even corrects some of our spelling and grammar mistakes as we are typing along. For example, if you have ever typed in a URL or someone’s email address, you have more than likely seen Word take over and […]

Microsoft Word makes it very easy to copy text formatting with the Format Painter icon. As the name implies, you can paint specific text formatting to other areas of your document.
The Format Painter icon looks like a paintbrush. If you do not see it on the toolbar, click Commands from the Tools menu, navigate to […]

Locating the blinking cursor in Vista can be hard given that it is so thin. If you find that you often have difficulty seeing the cursor because of its size, you can easily make the cursor thicker.
To increase the thickness of the blinking cursor in Vista:

Open the Control Panel.

Click Ease of Access.

Select Optimize visual […]

Windows Vista includes different features that make it easier for people with vision impairments to use the operating system. One such feature is known as the Magnifier. You can use this feature to enlarge the screen so it is easier to read. The Magnifier works by enlarging a portion of the screen as it is […]

Pop-up messages and balloon tips can become annoying in XP. Windows relies on these messages to inform users of what is going on with their computer. Many of the messages never seem to be relevant and more importantly, many of the messages are so self-explanatory that they are completely unnecessary. Take for example the balloon […]

When seasoned XP users begin navigating around Vista, one of the things you will notice (and likely become annoyed with) is that Network Connections list that shows all your adapters is tucked away deep in the Control Panel. This is unlike XP, where you could right click Network Connections and click Properties.
If you want […]

Windows Update is a lifesaver for those of us who are not diligent in keeping our computers up-to-date with the latest fixes, patches, etc. However, the dialog box that constantly pops up after an update is installed reminding me to restart my computer is an annoyance, especially when I’m in the middle of something.
Eventually […]

One of the many nice features of Word is that it can autocorrect errors as you type, including capitalization. For example, if you do not capitalize the first letter of a sentence, Word will automatically do it for you.
You can change the way Word autocorrects your capitalization. For example, Word automatically capitalized the names […]

I’m always looking for keyboard shortcuts to complete common tasks in Vista. They are particularly helpful for me when I’m working from my laptop and not using a mouse.
I recently discovered that there is quick and easy way to create new folders in Windows Explorer using a series of keystrokes. Instead of going through […]

I have written several tips in the past about how to customize the Send To option, however, the tips would not be useful to those who never use this feature. Therefore, here is a tip specifically for those of you who never use the Send To option.
If you never use the Send To option, […]

Here is another tip you can use to customize the Send To menu in Vista. When you open the context menu for an object such as a folder or file, you will see the Send To option. By pointing to Send To, a list of options will appear, including drive letters. If you do […]

Have you ever needed to copy the path to a file into a document or an email and ended up having to type out the details? Fortunately, Vista introduces as easy way to copy file and folder paths.
The Copy as Path context menu option is a built-in option in Vista. You will not see the […]

The context menu of the Recycle Bin icon includes a Delete option that lets you delete the icon from the desktop. To prevent anyone from deleting the icon off the desktop, you can hide the Delete option from the context menu.
To hide the Delete option in Vista:

Download the file called Vista_recyclebin_hidedelete.reg from this page […]

If multiple users are working on the same document, you may be required to track your changes. This means that any changes you make to a document are then visible to other users. This fits into the whole editing process where your changes to a document can be seen, accepted, or even rejected.
To enable […]

System Restore is a handy feature but it can take up several gigabytes of hard drive space. You can reclaim the space but disabling System Restore, however, by doing so, you will not be able to restore your computer to a given point in time.
An alternative, or happy medium, is to delete all the restore […]