6 Computer Shortcuts to Make Your Life Easier

Have you ever cried in frustration, "I wish there was a better way to do this"?

Sometimes, there actually is. Often there are shortcuts integrated into programs to make things easier to find or simplify a repetitive task. Remember, developers are apt to play hide and seek with features in the next version of their software, so don’t give up if you upgrade.

Here are a six hidden gems in the software you use everyday to help make your tasks a little easier:

1. Take a picture. The "Screenshot" and "Screen Clipping" tools were integrated in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook with the release of Office 2010. What makes this so great? It's built-in and automatically sizes to the program you're using and inserts the clips where you want them. It's located on the "Illustrations" section of the "Insert" menu. Bonus feature: If you want to save your screenshot, try the "Snipping Tool" located in the "Accessories" folder under the "Start Menu."
2. Just pin it. If you've ventured to the "Recent" documents under the "File" menu in Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint, you may have noticed the push pin image to the right of the document name. This feature permanently saves the document at the top of your recently viewed files. You can do the same thing for folders in the right hand column. This feature removes the need to save document shortcuts to your desktop and stores everything in one convenient place. Bonus feature: you can also right click on the program image in the Windows taskbar to pin your favorite document there so that you don't even have to open anything to navigate to it.
3. Access it quick. Office 2010 relocated a lot of features and made some of them more cumbersome to find. The easiest solution? Place your most most-used features in the "Quick Access Toolbar" at the top of the program. Have a hard time finding spellcheck in Excel? Placing it here makes it easy to find.
4. Black it out. It's probable that you have had to send a redacted document via email. If you have the full version of Acrobat, it isn't necessary to print, mark through the information with a permanent marker, then scan it back into the system. Acrobat actually has a built in redaction feature. Be sure to save a copy of your document, because once you save the redaction, it can't be undone. Bonus feature: Acrobat will also ask if you want to remove all hidden data from your document. Go ahead and say yes.
5. Make your graphics smarter. Want to make your presentations sharper? Check out Microsoft's "SmartArt" infographics. It's located on the "Insert" menu with the "Screenshot" tool. There's a menu on the left side of the different formats. These automatically size to the program and are completely editable. It's a great way to do something different with your visuals without having to learn a new program or use an outside source.
6. More than simple math. The calculator that comes standard with Microsoft Windows has evolved. Features available in Windows 7 and Windows 8 include date calculation, mortgage calculation, and unit conversion.  It’s still simple to use, but now much more useful.

Just look at all the things you just did without leaving the comforts of the software you already have. At least some things can be a little easier.

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Samantha Cruff is the Marketing Communications Coordinator at Lawyers Mutual. Contact Samantha for information regarding our available risk management publications at 800.662.8843 or samantha@lawyersmutualnc.com.