Search improvements in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Microsoft is again changing the way Search works in Microsoft 365 and also (surprise!) Office 2021 to expand the results beyond the document or Office features. Now you can search for definitions, media and even web results from the top bar of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The most recent announcement is about Office 365/2021 for […]
2023 Spelling Bee champs vs Microsoft Word
Our annual look at the words that challenged the Scripps Spelling Bee champs to see how many are recognized by the spell check in Microsoft Word. 2023 wasn’t a good year for Word with a disappointing score that would shame some 14 year olds. Here’s a selection of the last round words from the 2023 […]
A new Word feature is really Microsoft’s insult to customers who won’t move to OneDrive
The latest Microsoft 365 feature is an insult to customers who won’t obey. For years Microsoft has been pushing customers to save everything to their OneDrive cloud storage using many tricks, but this latest ‘smart reminder’ is blatant and insulting to paying customers. Smart Save Reminders The feature is called ‘Smart Save Reminders’ but should […]
All the left pointing hand symbols in Word and Office
Word and Office have several left “pointing hand” symbols available in some fonts. Here’s the Unicode options explained and shown. We’ve also looked at the options for All the RIGHT pointing hand symbols in Word and Office Want more arrows or pointers? Check out all 200+ Arrow or Hand pointing symbols and more in a […]
Right arrow → symbol in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Insert the Right arrow → into Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook. Both in Office for Windows and Office for Mac. The official Unicode name is ‘Rightward Arrow” → but it can be called ‘Right pointing’ ‘Right facing’ or just ‘Right Arrow’. Want more arrows or pointers? Check out all 200+ Arrow or Hand pointing […]
All the right pointing hand symbols in Word and Office
Word and Office have several right “pointing hand” symbols available in some fonts. Here’s the Unicode options, index, backhand, sideways in white or black, all explained and shown. Want more arrows or pointers? Check out all 200+ Arrow or Hand pointing symbols and more in a searchable list. Index, Backhand or Sideways? The Unicode system […]
Microsoft Word vs Spelling Bee quiz
How does Microsoft Word’s spell check work against ten difficult or unusual words from a New York Times spelling bee quiz? What’s in a Word is an interesting quiz of words used in past Scripp’s Spelling Bee’s and, as usual, we’re interested in how many of the words are recognized in Microsoft Word’s spelling. Word […]
Three ways to run an Office macro direct, from the ribbon or toolbar
There are three main ways to run a macro in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook). From the Macros list, from a button on a ribbon or from the Quick Access toolbar. We previously spoke about how to install an Office VBA macro, here’s how a macro can appear on the ribbon or Quick […]
Make the Office ribbon more useful, add your choice of buttons
Any Office ribbon tab can be more useful for you. By trimming some of the buttons you don’t need, making room for the buttons you want. We’ll show you how to remove some of the less needed ribbon sections (likely from the Developer tab) to make more room for your own buttons. Previously we’ve explained […]
Add Chess Piece symbols to Word, PowerPoint and Office
Insert any of the chess piece symbols available in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Office apps. King, Queen, Bishop, Knight. Rook and the lowly Pawn all with different looks, depending on the font plus three pieces available in Microsoft Office icons and the single chess piece emoji. Chess Pieces – the full list Here’s the […]
Save money on printer ink, toner and consumables
Printer makers are happy to sell a cheap printer because they make big profits on ink, toner and other consumables. Here’s how to save money. Buy in advance Stores and printer makers rely on people waiting until they’ve run out of ink/toner before rushing to get more. You pay a high premium for that rushed […]
Easily install an Office VBA macro
Here’s how to easily install VBA code or macro in Microsoft Office. Adding some code you’ve seen on a web site or been given is simple once you know the little tricks. Often people are given some Office VBA code to use with Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook but without instructions for how to install […]
New Keyboard shortcuts for Office menus
New shortcuts are coming to Microsoft Office 365 for Windows which will help navigate larger pull-down menus with keystrokes. Plus the screen-reader labels are being improved. In short: the Tab key moves between sections/blocks of a pull-down menu.That’s it … so simple and perhaps surprising that it’s not there already. Unfortunately, Microsoft’s description of these […]
Check, tick and cross symbols galore
There are different check mark, tick or cross symbols available in Word, PowerPoint or other Office apps. Here’s an easy searchable list of all Unicode symbols plus in modern Office ✅✔️☑️ is called a ‘check mark‘ or ‘check‘ in some places and ‘tick‘ in others. Same symbol, different English names. ❌X╳ has many more symbols […]
Thumbs Up👍emoji in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Insert Thumbs Up or Like👍symbol into Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook. Both in Office for Windows and Office for Mac. Thumbs Up / Like👍emoji is typically used when you ‘like’ something or have approval/agreement. It’s commonly used as a quick response to a comment on Facebook, Twitter and it’s coming to Office Comments too. […]
Copy VBA Macros between Microsoft Word documents
VBA code or Macros can be copied between Microsoft Word documents and templates quite easily if you know where to look. We’ve seen people laboriously copying code between VBA editor windows, not realising there’s an easier way. It’s not entirely necessary but usually the two macro-enabled documents/templates are opened first. Open Macro Organizer Go to View […]
