During this week’s Word Advanced course we were looking at the quickest way to insert check boxes in a document to create a survey that could be printed and completed on paper.
Various options were brought to the table (the handouts method to insert a Check Box Form Field; Vicente’s idea to create a table with a single cell and make that cell tiny; Zuleika’s suggestion to use the bullets).
But we all agreed my idea (to assign a keyboard shortcut to a check box) was the fastest.
Here's how:
1. In version 2003: use the Symbols command from the Insert menu. In version 2007-2010: On the Insert tab, in the Symbols group, click Symbol, followed by More Symbols.
2. On the Symbols or Special Characters tab click the check box that you want to use.
3. Click on the Shortcut Key button.
4. The keyboard shortcut that is currently assigned to that symbol or character appears in the Current keys box. Press the combination of keys that you want to assign. For example, press ALT + C to assign an intuitive (at least, to me) keyboard shortcut to insert a check box, yet not overriding the useful keyboard shortcut to copy (CTRL + C).
5. Press the Assign button.
6. Press Close twice.
In future, you simply press the keyboard shortcut that you assigned rather than having to open the Symbol dialogue box.
By the way, if you need to create a form that needs to be viewed and completed in Word, it would be wise to work with form fields. If you want to know how to do this, why not book yourself a place on our next Word Advanced course scheduled for 5 August?
PS I'm committed to sharing the best of what I know with others so please don't keep these tips a secret. If you enjoyed today's tip, please forward it to anyone you feel may benefit or reprint it (with full copyright and subscription information) in your newsletters and message boards. Got a tip to share? Submit it by emailing karen@roem.co.uk - if your tip is selected, I'll publish it along with your name; the bragging rights will last a lifetime.
10 June 2013
Karen Roem offers software training and support through her company Roem Ltd. Contact her by email (Karen@roem.co.uk) or visit her website at http://www.roem.co.uk
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Tame your computer - tick all the boxes
10 June 2013
In her regular series for Cambridge Network members, software training expert Karen Roem offers handy tips to help you 'Tame your computer'. This week she describes the fastest way to insert check boxes (Word and Outlook 2003-2010)...