Friday, August 5, 2016

Automating Symbols in Office

Everyone gets tired of typing the same thing over and over again. But there is nothing worse, than having to type symbols repetitively! For example the 'ñ'. Now I know some of you know the 4-key shortcuts for those symbols, but the rest of us usually struggle with them.
However, you can make that task much easier by either using a shortcut key or Microsoft's AutoCorrect feature.

First find the symbol
Insert Tab > Symbols Group > Symbol Button
Click on More Symbols

Click on the Font drop down box and find your default font; in this example I’m using Times New Roman


Scroll down the letters until you find the symbol you want to use; in this example I’m using the ñ


Choosing Your Shortcut
You then have 2 options:

Shortcut Key
Type the keys you want to use as a shortcut.

IMPORTANT!! DO NOT USE THE CTRL KEY! That key is already used with the Office standard shortcuts. Use the ALT key instead.

Click the Assign button
Click the OK button

AutoCorrect
The symbol should already be showing in the With box


Click in the Replace box and type what you want your ‘trigger’ to be.

That's it! Now all you have to do is either type your shortcut key of your AutoCorrect trigger! 
Work Smarter Not Harder!!