When I was first so lucky to have the opportunity to use and learn all about office software, it was in truth a bit challenging but it was also very exciting.  It was a time too when computer software actually arrived with very detailed manuals.

The original plan was that training would be included in the delivery of the hardware and software, but in reality, it was a time when software training was just in it's infancy.  The end result was that reading the manuals was the only way forward.  Boy, what a ride it was but it was also a gift in disguise.

Now, after so many years of self-learning, using, applying and teaching office software at an advanced level, my goal now is to share all that I've learned but also do this in a way that will escalate how the most common software skills can be acquired.

The first level of my guided GS Learning Journey is to begin with foundational, only the most needed and used topics, courses.  The topics selected have been carefully selected and are based on actual, real-world, experiences using software in a many different scenarios.

Along the way too, as I continued my career providing software training, the style of training evolved:  help learners underway the "why", then experience software to just try out, wrapped up together in a guided practice lesson - the accomplishment.  Then, to help keep the momentum for attendees, the development of one-page GS Skills Guide to have on hand.

Control F (pressing and holding the Control key; then pressing and releasing the letter "F" key) activates the Find dialog box in all Office software (Excel, PowerPoint and Word).  The same shortcut can also be used in the same way when browsing with Google Chrome or navigating Windows File Manager.  A really fast way to zone in or specific text.

Did you know that you can create your own custom Shapes in PowerPoint and use the Sent to the Back or Bring to the Front option to layer them, adjust them to show more or less, then group to make your own graphic design?  Want to learn more?  Join me in my PowerPoint All-in-One 2 hour GS Course.

Never type a Table of Contents - instead learn how to apply Styles and have Word create the TOC automatically.  Want to learn more? Join me in my Setup a Large Word Doc GS Targeted Skills 1-hour Course.

As long as your columns have been set-up to function as a "dataset" first you can easily turn it into a really nice looking table with color, shading, borders and drop-down filters.  To do this, place the cursor somewhere (anywhere) into the area where your dataset has content:

Then, press CONTROL T to activate the Table Design macro.  Excel will look around from it's current position to find the edges of your dataset and will let you know the cell range that has been identified.

If you don't want the first row to be different in appearance, then un-check the "My table has headers" option (though not recommended).  And when ready, click OK.  Voila!  Your table is now looking really good without a lot of extra steps from you!