Question for Microsoft Word users...

[Valerie226]

I've always used Wordperfect & have been forced into Word.
1. I cannot find a keytroke way to enter the current date. I need to enter it dozens of times a day so it's very slow to type it out.
2. I need to know how to delete a full line at a time.

I bought a Word book but can't find this in there. it seems so basic!. Shooting the talking paper clip would be a good idea too, but I don't imagine there is a way to do it. As you might notice I am not happy with the change. No matter how I reword the questions I never get the answer. Never. thanks if you can help.

[MinEaston]

Try Alt-Shift-D for the date code (in help, there should be a "WordPerfect keyboard equivalents" topic, I found it in mine).

To highlight an entire line, I usually put the cursor at the beginning of the line, then hold the shift key and press the down arrow key...

And - to shoot the talking paper clip. When he appears, RIGHT-click on him once, then choose "options" (I think - I killed mine a while ago ). Somewhere in there should be a box that's checked called "use office assistant."

Sometimes I think Microsoft is just a tad too helpful !

[slknight]

Originally posted by MinEaston
Try Alt-Shift-D for the date code (in help, there should be a "WordPerfect keyboard equivalents" topic, I found it in mine).

This puts in the default date format, which I believe is like 10/24/03. If you want alt-shift-d to put in a different format (i.e. Friday, October 24, 2003), go to Insert-Date and Time, select which format you want, and then hit the default button. (This is in Word XP).

[lonetree1353]

Right click on the paper clip and change it to a cute kitten or Einstein or whatever. At least that way it is a bit more interesting than the paper clip.

[Valerie226]

Thanks MinEaston, slknight, & lonetree. Alt Shift D is not as simple as WP ( control D) but it works! as does shift,down arrow .
I've used WP for 12 years & it's tough to un-learn patterns. I did find the help for WP users but it has not helped much.

I'mlooking for a printable list of navigation directions. I had one for WP. keystrokes for going up down by the page or paragraph. I bought a Word book expecting to find this but it's not included.

also thanks for ideas on killing the paperclip. I had turned off the sound which helped. I keep asking it questions but never ?? get what I'm looking for. I don't find this stuff cute, just annoying.

[Chefzhat]

You can delete an entire line by placing the cursor anywhere in that line and double click, which will highlight the word, then a third click to highlight the line, then press delete.

For dates you can also turn on the automatic insert option so that when you begin typing the date after the first three letters it just appears, then press return and continue typing the rest of your document.

I had to switch to Word as well, and it's not nearly as user friendly. There's a lot of mousing going on. Double clicking and right clicking are very useful. Also using the control key for shortcuts.

Debie

[Vicanddi]

Lonetree, I've been a MS Word user for several users and never knew I could change that annoying paperclip! Thanks so much for the info. I changed mine to a cute red dot, and will use the kitty or dog in the future. It's always nice to learn something new!

To delete a line at a time, right click on the line and click on delete entire row. This function can also be used to add rows.

[Valerie226]

These are all great tips!. I can't understand why this stuff is not find-able in the books.

You all have been wonderful! So as your reward, I have another question! ( I will unceremoniously toast the paper clip on Monday)

I do letters that use the same general format, but go to different people. several dozen. In WP I could type in the name, address, and outline of the letter with formatting & save it under the person's name. so if I was sending a letter to Dr. Greenbucks I could type in his name & a special character & bring up a letter outline. In Word I've been trying to use Autocorrect but it limits characters to (I think) 255. Not enough. the book keeps referring me to Outlook, but I don't use that. Is there a simple way to do this?

Let me add here that I am "older" & totally self taught & I work alone. no one else to ask things. Mostly, I know enough to get the job done. So maybe this is a no brainer but I don't know where to look.

This is off topic a bit, but has anyone else noticed that the pop up ads suddenly disappeared this week??

[lonetree1353]

http://www.office.microsoft.com/assistance/

Valerie...if you go to this site and in the middle you will see the Crabby Office Lady. You can ask her any question you have and she will answer. There is also a browse assistance which has office 97 and office 2000 where you can look for assistance. Hope that helps.

[Elbows]

Another quick way to delete an entire line of text is to move your cursor (with mouse) until you are in the far left margin and the arrow changes direction. Left-click and the entire line should be highlighted.

I just get rid of the office assistant entirely. To do this, the option is under the Help menu (I think it's something like "disable office assistant). My neighbour at work uses the cat, and has the sound on her system turned a bit high. Does grate on one's nerves after a while