Often Overlooked Feature: Spelling and Grammar Check in Microsoft Word

For some reason, users often overlook spelling and grammar check in Microsoft Word.  Spelling and grammar check is available on the Review ribbon menu in Microsoft Word 2010 and 2013 on Windows computers.  However, grammar check is not turned on by default.  You need to go to the File -> Option -> Proofing window.  Click the checkbox for checking grammar.

When you run spelling and grammar check from the review tab, Word gives you suggestions on how to improve the document.  For example, it will pick up split infinitives, run-on sentences, and verb disagreement. 

If made changes to the document after you ran spelling and grammar, you need to instruct Word to "Recheck Document" from the Options - Proofing window. 

Word suggestions are not "perfect" but provide helpful, just-in-time assistance for creating a well designed paper. 

Spell-check is a feature in all word processing software; however, grammar check is not.  Use the help menu to learn more.

Changing the Tab Names in Microsoft Office 2013 Ribbon Menu

In Microsoft Office 2013 the ribbon tabs are in all caps.  I guess the Microsoft Office developers did not know that all caps are difficult to read and they also indicate shouting!  I discovered a article today that includes screen shot on how to change so that only the first letter is capitalized.  The article is at http://www.askvg.com/how-to-get-rid-of-all-caps-tab-titles-in-microsoft-office-2013-ribbon/

Basically, you right-click on the ribbon menu tab to get the Customize Ribbon menu. Then you click on the tab name on the right side of the menu and select rename (this is where it is a bit annoying because the name will be not be all caps).  Click the space key after the name and then OK.  The tab name will display with only the first letter capitalized.  It is an easy fix for those of us who do not want to see all caps.

FileMaker Pro vs Access Update

I am working on a second tutorial for the eBook I am writing about using spreadsheets and databases for data analysis.  The FileMaker Pro database I have created has only two tables and four layouts, but it is over 500 MB in file size.  The comparisons I have thus far are:

• Access allows you to easily format text as zip codes and phone numbers, but FileMaker Pro does not
• Access allows you to do a Compact and Repair, but FileMaker does not have that feature in the menu
• Creating a button to open a URL was very easy with FileMaker
• Creating list features with Value Lists in FileMaker is child's play - so easy!
• FileMaker Pro works on the Mac and Windows computers and provides a 30-day free preview, but Access works only on Windows computers
• After you create a database with FileMaker Pro, you can sync it to your iPad or iPhone FileMake Go app.  Once it is synced, you can edit the database and enter data (a real plus!).  FileMaker Pro has settings for themes that work best on the iPad and iPhone.
• Calculating an age is more complex calculation in FileMaker (although may be more accurate) than using Access.
• If/then and other mathematical calculations are basically the same in both database software packages.

Office 2013 - Changes and Work-Arounds

I have been using Office 2013 with Windows 7 for almost a week now.  The changes are not radical, but can be annoying.  For example, when you open a document that is "not editable," such as one attached to an email or downloaded from a learning management system, it opens in "reading mode" with arrows horizontally like a magazine.  PC World has a nice article that identifies work-arounds for the changes, 12 Infuriating Office 2013 Flaws (And How to Fix Them) at http://www.pcworld.com/article/2028412/12-infuriating-office-2013-flaws-and-how-to-fix-them-.html

I do not agree with the PC World term "flaws," but I appreciate the information on how to customize the functions of Office 2013.  When I view the few 2013 Office features, I think of the new iTunes menu, which BTW I changed to look like the original view.

Microsoft Office 2013 Insights

I began using Microsoft Office 2013 yesterday.  My experience validates what I have been reading - meaning the most significant change is the link for using cloud computing.  When you open an application, such as Word or Excel, you are prompted to sign into SkyDrive. Once you have signed into SkyDrive, all of the cloud files are available, just like those on the hard drive.

The startup menu looks more like Word or Excel for the Mac - which by the way looks more like other Apple Pages and Numbers.  In other words, you have colorful full size templates and links to recent files from which to choose.

Other notable differences include new icons for the Office apps.  Outlook was significantly easier to set up, even though I use an Microsoft Exchange server.  Outlook finally got some much needed attention.  It has a cleaner look.