Thursday, August 31, 2023

Unlock the Power of PowerPoint: How to Merge Shapes

Microsoft PowerPoint
Have you ever wanted to create a unique shape in PowerPoint, but couldn’t find the right one in the built-in library? 

Did you know that you can merge existing shapes to create new, custom shapes?

Here's a Cool Tip:  PowerPoint Merge Shapes feature.  

To merge shapes in PowerPoint, follow these steps:

  • Insert the shapes you want to merge by going to the Insert tab
  • Select Shapes found in the Illustrations group.
  • Draw your shapes by clicking and dragging your cursor.
  • Make sure the shapes are overlapping.
  • Select both of the shapes that you want to merge by holding the Ctrl key while clicking each shape in turn.
  • A new tab will appear on the top ribbon menu—the Shape Format tab. 
  • Select that tab.
  • In the Insert Shapes group, click the Merge Shapes button.
  • From the drop-down menu that appears, select your desired merge type.

    PowerPoint Merge Shapes Union
    fig. 1 - PowerPoint Merge Shapes - Union

    • Your selected objects will merge based on the choice you selected.

    PowerPoint Merge Shape Created
    fig. 2 - PowerPoint Merge Shape Created

    That’s it! 

    You can experiment with different merge types and shapes to create a wide variety of custom objects.

    If you’re using an older version of PowerPoint, such as PowerPoint 2007, you may need to enable the Merge Shapes command within the Office Ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar. 

    You can also use Edit Points to modify a shape.

    Enjoy!

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    Wednesday, August 30, 2023

    How to Capture a Full Page in Microsoft Edge

    Microsoft Edge
    Have you ever wanted to capture a screenshot of an entire webpage, but didn't know how? 

    Do you find yourself scrolling and taking multiple screenshots to capture the entire page? 

    Here's a Cool Tip:  Microsoft Edge Full Page Capture

    Microsoft Edge has a built-in feature that allows you to easily capture full-page screenshots in JPEG format.

    Here's how to do it:
    • Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your Windows 10/11 or Mac computer
    • Go to the web page that you want to capture.
    • Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to make sure that the Web Capture feature loads all images in the article. 
    • Press and hold the three dots icon in the top-right corner.
    • Click the Web Capture button from the toolbar. 
    Microsoft Edge Web Capture

    fig. 1 - Microsoft Edge Web Capture

    • Select the Full Page option.
    • You'll see the Web Capture menu. 
    • Once you're done, click the save button (which looks like a floppy disk) from the toolbar. 
    • Microsoft Edge will instantly download the full-page JPEG image to the default download folder on your computer.

    That's it! 

    You now have a full-page screenshot of your desired webpage.


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    Tuesday, August 29, 2023

    How to Use Windows Clipboard History

    Windows 11
    Have you ever copied something important, only to accidentally overwrite it with something else before pasting?

     Have you ever wished you could access your clipboard history and retrieve something you copied earlier? 

    Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the Windows Clipboard History

    With Windows 10 and Windows 11 you can use Windows Clipboard History and the keyboard shortcut Windows key + V on both operating systems to make your life easier.

    Here's how to do it:

    Windows 10 - Enable Clipboard History
    • Open the Settings app by clicking on the Start menu and selecting the gear icon.
    • Click on System, then select Clipboard from the left-hand menu.
    • Under Clipboard history, toggle the switch to On.
    Windows 11 - Enable Clipboard History
    • Open the Settings app by clicking on the Start menu and selecting the gear icon.
    • Click on System, then select Clipboard.
    • Under Clipboard history, toggle the switch to On.

    Windows System Clipboard Option Screen
    fig. 1 - Windows System Clipboard Option Screen

    If you want to sync your copies across devices, set that On as well.

    Now that Clipboard History is enabled, you can access it by pressing the Windows key + V on your keyboard. 

    Windows Clipboard History
    fig. 2 - Windows Clipboard History


    This will bring up a small window showing your clipboard history, with the most recent item at the top. 

    You can scroll through the list and click on an item to paste it into your current application.



    Enjoy!

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    Monday, August 28, 2023

    Summing It Up: The Many Ways to Total in Microsoft Excel

    Microsoft Excel
    Have you ever found yourself needing to add up a long list of numbers? 

    Whether you’re balancing your checkbook or calculating the total cost of a project, summing a series of numbers is a common task. 

    But did you know that there are several ways to accomplish this? 

    Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the Excel keyboard shortcut.

    To total, or sum, a series of numbers in Excel, you can use several methods:

    Use Addition:
    • This is a very simple method to add the value of several cells containing numbers together. 
    • Use the Formula: =A1 + A2 + A3 + A4  where A1, A2, A3 and A4 are the cells containing the numbers you want to total.
    • This works for a few cells but is unwieldy for a large set of numbers.

    Use the SUM function:  
    • The SUM function is a built-in function in Excel that allows you to easily add up a range of cells. 
    • To use the SUM function, simply enter the formula =SUM(A1:A4) where A1:A4 is the range of cells containing the numbers you want to total.

    Use AutoSum: 
    • AutoSum is a tool in Excel that automatically selects a column or row of numbers and calculates their sum. 
    • To use AutoSum, select the cell where you want to display the sum, then click on the AutoSum button in the toolbar on your screen.

    Microsoft Excel Total Series
    fig. 1 - Microsoft Excel Total Series



    Super Cool Tip:

    Use the Excel Keyboard Shortcut ALT + = to sum a series of numbers in a column or a row.

    Enjoy!





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    Sunday, August 27, 2023

    Unleash Your Creativity with Microsoft Designer

    Microsoft Designer
    Are you tired of using the same old design templates for your projects? 

    Do you want to create stunning visuals, social media posts, invitations, and more with ease? 

    Here's a Cool Tip:  Check out the new preview Microsoft Designer.

    Microsoft Designer is a graphic design tool in Microsoft 365 that uses cutting-edge AI technology to help you unleash your creativity.

    The good news is that it is currently free in preview.

    Here's how to use it:
    • Access Microsoft Designer
      • Log in with your Microsoft account, 
      • Go to the Microsoft Designer website, https://designer.microsoft.com/  or click on the Designer icon within the Microsoft Edge sidebar.
    • Get started with a prompt: 
      • To start creating with Microsoft Designer, simply describe what you want in the prompt box. 
      • Powered by generative AI technology, you’ll get one-of-a-kind images, including accompanying text and visuals, and design suggestions to meet your needs.
    • Customize your design: 
      • Once you have a design generated by the AI, you can customize it to your liking. 
      • Add your own images or text, change the layout or colors, and more.
    • Use advanced AI tools: 
      • Take advantage of Microsoft Designer’s advanced AI tools to enhance your design. 
      • Use the Replace background feature to instantly remove photo backgrounds and replace them with anything you can imagine. 
      • Get writing assistance and automatic layout suggestions for anything you add.
    • Create a Brand Kit: 
      • Make your creative consistent by creating a Brand Kit that lets you apply your colors and fonts consistently across designs.

    Here's a quick example to enter a prompt:

    • Create an Instagram post showcasing the benefits of visiting the tech website, www.onecooltip.com. 
    • Onecooltip offers technology tips.  
    • Use blue as the primary color to match the brand. 
    • Include an image of a person using the software on their computer in a creative workspace.

    Microsoft Designer suggested several options, including this one:

    Discover the Coolest Tech Tips - OneCoolTip.com
    fig. 1 - Example of Microsoft Designer output

    I then customized the text and saved the graphic to my local PC.

    So why not give Microsoft Designer a try and unleash your creative superpowers? 

    Get started today and see what amazing designs you can create!

    Enjoy!





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    Saturday, August 26, 2023

    How to Rearrange Apps in Google's Navigation Menu

    Google
    Do you use Google services like, search, gmail, photos and calendar on the web?

    Do you want to access them quickly and easily? 

    Here's a Cool Tip:  Rearrange the Google apps in the Navigation Menu.

    You can rearrange apps in Google's navigation menu in a few simple steps to place the apps you use the most at the top of the list. 

    Rearrange Google Navigation Menu

    fig. 1 - Rearrange Google Navigation Menu

    Here's how:
    1. Sign into Google.com
    2. Click the launcher icon in the upper-right corner.
    3. Click on any of the programs listed.
    4. Drag and drop them within the menu. 

    By following these simple steps, you can create a personalized menu that makes it easy to access the apps you use the most.

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    Friday, August 25, 2023

    How to Bring Back the Classic DVD Screensaver with Google Search

    Do you remember the classic DVD screensaver? 

    The one with the bouncing logo that would never quite hit the corner of the screen? 

    Here's a Friday Funday Cool Tip:  

    Google has hidden a little easter egg that brings that screensaver back to life.


    Here's how to do it.

    • Go to Google.com
    • Search for DVD screensaver on Google. 
    • After a few seconds, the Google logo will pop out of the top left corner of the screen and start bouncing around. 
    • It will change colors each time it hits a corner.

    DVD Screensaver
    fig. 1 - Google DVD Screensaver

    The easter egg works on all desktop browsers, but it doesn't work on mobile devices.

    The Google Search DVD Screensaver easter egg is a fun way to bring back a little nostalgia. 

    It's also a great way to show off your Google skills to your friends and family.


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    Thursday, August 24, 2023

    Three Hot Cool Tips This Summer

    Summer Heat
    Are you sweltering in this summer heat?

    Do you need some HOT COOL Tech Tips?

    Then let's take a look at some Cool Tips that are Hot and popular this summer:

    Check out this Cool Tip that shows how to use Google Bard's new export feature.  This allows you to copy the output response from Google AI into text that you can use easily in other applications.

    Do you ever feel like your inbox is overflowing with unwanted emails?   Check out this Cool Tip on how to unsubscribe from emails in Gmail!

    Have you ever felt your phone turn into a pocket-sized furnace?   Learn these 7 Cool Tips for keeping your phone cool and safe this summer.

    That's it!

    Stay Cool this Summer.

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    Wednesday, August 23, 2023

    Is Claude AI The Smartest Chatbot Yet?

    Claude AI
    Have you tried chatting with today's hot new AI bots like Google Bard, BingChat and ChatGPT? 

    Are you looking for another AI to try out?

    Here's a Cool Tip:  Check out Claude AI, https://claude.ai/chats

    This AI system uses self-supervised learning, meaning it was trained on massive datasets to carry on natural conversations without the need for human labeling of data. 

    The result is an assistant that can chat with you conversationally on nearly any topic you choose.

    To get started with Claude, go to https://claude.ai/chats and create an account. 

    The signup process is quick and easy. 

    Once your account is set up, you can log in and start chatting with Claude right away.

    • Ask Claude open-ended questions to have natural conversations and see how it responds. The AI draws knowledge from a broad range of topics, so feel free to explore different subjects.
    • Use Claude for productivity. Ask for help organizing schedules, taking notes, or providing thoughtful feedback on writing. This AI can enhance your work and creativity.
    • Relax with Claude. Chat about hobbies, interests, or what's on your mind. Claude offers an empathetic ear and insightful responses you won't get from a basic search engine.

    So let's take a look at how Claude AI works.

    In this example, I asked Claude about the Python, a programming language.

    Claude Ai Tell Me About Python
    fig1 - Claude AI Tell Me About Python

    I followed up to ask how Python compared to other programming languages.

    Claude AI Compare Python
    fig. 2 - Follow Up Question to Compare Python

    It's worth taking Claude AI out for a spin the next time you need to find information.

    So why wait? 

    Check it out.

    Enjoy!


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    Tuesday, August 22, 2023

    How to Create a Series in Microsoft Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Microsoft Excel
    Are you tired of manually entering data into your Excel spreadsheets? 

    Do you want to save time and effort by automating the process of creating a series of numbers, days of the month, or days of the week? 

    Here's a Cool Tip:  Let Excel create the series for you.

    Creating a series in Excel is a simple and straightforward process. 

    Here's how to do it:
    • Ensure Excel’s AutoFill Options is turned on by going to File > Options > Advanced and checking the box next to Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop

    Microsoft Excel Fill Handle Setting
    fig. 1 - Excel Fill Handle Setting
    • Select the cell where you want to start your series.
    • Type the first few value of your series.
    • Select the fill handle at the bottom right corner of the selected cell.
    • Drag the fill handle in the direction you want to extend your series.
    • Release the mouse button to create your series.
    For example, if you want to create a series of numbers from 1 to 10, you would type 1 into the first cell and 2 into the second cell, select the fill handle, and drag it down until you reach 10.  

    Microsoft Excel Series
    fig. 2 - Microsoft Excel Series

    Excel will automatically fill in the rest of the numbers for you.

    You can also create a series of dates or days of the week by following the same steps. 

    Simply type the first month or day into the first cell, select the fill handle, and drag it down or across to create your series.

    Save time and effort when entering data into your spreadsheets!

    Enjoy!


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    Monday, August 21, 2023

    How to Add Visual Flair to Your PowerPoint Presentations

    Have you ever wanted to add some visual flair to your PowerPoint presentations? 

    Do you want to make your slides more engaging and eye-catching? 

    Here's a Back to Work Monday Cool Tip: Use the Insert Icons feature in Microsoft PowerPoint! 

    Microsoft 365 doesn't have traditional clip art anymore, but as a subscriber you get several new kinds of high quality art in its place for free: high-resolution photographs, icons, cutout people, stickers, illustrations, and cartoon people.

    Here's how to do it.
    • Open Microsoft PowerPoint and navigate to the slide where you want to insert an icon.
    • Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon menu at the top of the screen.
    • In the Illustrations group, click on Icons.
      • A window will pop up with a variety of icons to choose from. 
      • You can search for specific icons using the search bar at the top of the window, or browse through the categories on the left side of the window.
    • Once you’ve found an icon that you like, click on it to select it, and then click on the Insert button at the bottom of the window.
    • The icon will be inserted onto your slide, and you can use the formatting options in the ribbon menu to customize its size, color, and position.
    • If you want to insert other types of images, select another category such as Images.

    Microsoft Power Point Insert Icons
    fig. 1 - Microsoft PowerPoint Insert Icons Feature

    With this feature, you can add visual interest to your presentations and make them more engaging for your audience.


    That's it!

    Enjoy!

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    Sunday, August 20, 2023

    How to Free Up Storage Space in Google Drive

    Google Drive
    Are you running out of storage space in your Google Drive? 

    Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows you to store files online and access them from anywhere. 

    It also lets you share files with others, collaborate on projects, and create backups of your data.

    Many people find that they have accumulated a lot of large files over time, such as videos, photos, and documents. 

    These files can take up a lot of space, and if you're not careful, you could end up running out of storage and not being able to upload new files.

    Every Google Account comes with 15 GB of storage that's shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. 

    To avoid paying Google for extra storage space, you can clean up large files you no longer need.

    Here's how to identify the files that are taking up the most space, so you can delete them or move them to another storage location:
    • Go to your Google Drive.
    • Click the Storage button in the left-hand column.
    • Google Drive will display a list of all your files, sorted by size, largest first.
    • You can now delete or move the large files that you no longer need.

    Google Drive Storage
    fig. 1 - Google Drive Storage


    You can do this in the Google Drive app as well. 

    Here's how to do it:
    • Open your Google Drive app and log in to your account.
    • Tap Files in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
    • Tap Name underneath My Drive near the top of the screen.
    • Tap Storage used. This will arrange your files from largest to smallest.
    • Tap the three dots ... next to the item you want to delete.
    • Tap Remove.

    By following these steps, you can easily find large files in your Google Drive and free up storage space. 

    This will help you keep your Google Drive organized and efficient. 

    Check out the OneCoolTip video:


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    Saturday, August 19, 2023

    Stop Apps from Scrolling in Windows Task Manager with This Cool Tip

    Windows 11
    Are you tired of apps scrolling automatically in the Windows Task Manager? 

    This can be a frustrating problem, especially if you're trying to troubleshoot a performance issue.

    Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the Control Key.

    The Windows Task Manager is a system monitor utility that allows you to manage all the processes running on your computer. 

    You can use Task Manager to:
    • View performance: View the overall performance of the system, or the performance per package or process
    • Manage processes: Order processes by usage to see what's taking up your computer's resources
    • Turn off software: Turn off software that takes up excessive resources on your PC to improve the running speed
    • Restart or shut down system: Restart or shut down the system when it is busy or unresponsive
    • Terminate applications: Terminate applications and processes
    And with this Cool Tip you can the Control key to pause the Task Manager screen.

    This will stop apps from scrolling in the Windows Task Manager. 

    Here's how to do it:
    • Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Escape.
    • Hold down the Control key while scrolling through the list of processes.
    • This will prevent the processes from scrolling automatically. You can release the Control key to resume scrolling.

    Windows Task Manager
    fig. 1 - Windows Task Manager




    That's it!

    Enjoy!

    And Cool Tip Kudos to Jen Gentleman @Microsoft for sharing this Cool Tip this week.

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