************************************************************

SPREADSHEET TIPS FROM AN EXCEL ADDICT
Helping Average Spreadsheet Users
Become Local Spreadsheet Experts



A Free Weekly Publication of TheExcelAddict.com
http://www.theexceladdict.com

************************************************************

I Respect Your Privacy And Pledge Not To Abuse This Privilege.
This newsletter is sent ONLY to those who have Subscribed, is
completely 100% opt-in and NEVER uses spam or bulk email to gain
new subscribers. If you no longer wish to receive this
newsletter, you'll find a simple way to unsubscribe at the
bottom of every newsletter.

This newsletter was sent to:
 @ 


************************************************************
 CONTENTS
************************************************************

1) Editor Notes
2) Excel "Quick Tips"
3) T-Shirt Contest
4) "How To Excel" Mini-Tutorials:
5) Reader Suggestions
6) Spreading The Word
7) "Non-Excel" Tip
8) Subscription Management


************************************************************
 EDITOR NOTES
************************************************************
Hi ,

The weather is finally starting to warm up here in Newfoundland
on the east coast of Canada. What a fantastic weekend! I did
some gardening and coached a soccer practice for my Girls
Under-12 All-Star team (http://www.TheExcelAddict.com/soccer). I
hope you had a great weekend too.

Wow! This newsletter is continuing to span the globe. We had new
subscribers this week from Canada, USA, Germany, Saudi Arabia,
Brazil, Norway, China, and Australia. Thanks to everyone who is
helping spread the word about my newsletter. I know there are
millions of Excel users everywhere who could benefit from this
newsletter.

Don't forget! I'll be making the first draw for my T-Shirt
Contest on Jume 1st. You've still got plenty of time to
multi-qualify for the draw. Sorry, I didn't get the
Refer-A-Friend form working on the website yet but I promise to
get it working soon. In the meantime if you'll copy (or BCC)
refer@TheExcelAddict.com on the email you send to your friends
recommending my newsletter and website, I'll put your name into
the draw for each person your refer (see the Spreading The Word
section below for the rules).

If you missed any of my tips for the past few weeks, you can
still find them at http://www.TheExcelAddict.com

This week I've got some more great Quick Tips, "How To Excel"
Mini-Tutorials, and another great "Non-Excel" Tip.

I hope you enjoy the tips. Have a great week.

To Your Success!

Francis Hayes (a.k.a. The Excel Addict)

************************************************************
 QUICK TIPS
************************************************************
-------------------------------
Show The Current Date In A Cell
-------------------------------
Last week I showed you how to insert time and date stamps into
your worksheets. Those were fixed values. This weeks tip will
show you how to add a date function to your worksheet that will
update with the current date.

The formula to show the current date is =NOW().

One thing to keep in mind is, this formula will only update when
the worksheet is recalculated or when you reopen the workbook.
That's usually not a problem since the date only changes once a
day. Also, you may have to format the cell to give you your
desired date format.

If you'd like to  show the current time, you can use the formula
=NOW(). This formula gives you both the date and time in the
same cell (i.e. 19-May-03 9:00pm), however, is less useful
because the time in the cell won't change until your worksheet
recalculates or when you reopen your workbook. If you just want
the cell to display the time only, you'll have to change the
number format by selecting Format, Cells, Number, Time,
, OK.


---------------------
Give Me The Full Menu
---------------------
Don't you hate it when you click on a menu and the item you're
looking for is hidden. You have to wait a couple of seconds
before Excel will show you the full menu. 

The idea behind this was to simplify menu selections for the
user by showing only the menu items that the user had recently
used. However, I believe that this function hampers new users
from learning many of Excel's best features. If they're hidden,
how will you know that they're there. As the saying goes, Out of
site, Out of mind.

To get the full menu every time, click on View, Toolbars,
Customize, click the Options tab and remove the check mark from
'Menus Show Recently Used Commands First', and click the Close
button.

Now, check out all those cool features that you've been missing.


************************************************************
 T-SHIRT CONTEST
************************************************************
Every month I am giving away a really cool t-shirt from
TheExcelAddict.com. You can sneak a peak at my website
http://www.TheExcelAddict.com

If you subscribed to this newsletter prior to this current
month, you can still get your name in for the draw each month by
helping me share this newsletter.

All you have to do each month is refer your friends and
associates to my website and newsletter through the Refer A
Friend link on my website. For each person that you refer, your
name will go into the draw. The more friends you refer, the more
chances you have of winning a t-shirt. (See the SPREADING THE
WORD section below for important details on Spamming)


************************************************************
 "HOW TO EXCEL" MINI-TUTORIALS
************************************************************
---------------------------------------
How To Easily Duplicate Cell Formatting 
---------------------------------------
Often it takes several steps to format a cell or a range of
cells to get just the right look (i.e. fonts, borders, color,
etc..) 

When you want to apply this same format to another cell or range
of cells you could copy the cell(s) and then click Edit, Paste
Special, Formats. But there's a much easier and faster way. It's
called the Format Painter. Look on your toolbars and you should
see a button with a picture of a paintbrush on it. 

Here's what you do to apply the format from one range of cells
to another:

1) Select the first cell or range of cells.
2) Click on the Format Painter button. 
3) Select the cell(s) you want this format applied to. 

Voila. It's like magic. 

If you select only one cell in the first step, the format of
that cell will be copied to the cell(s) you select in Step 3. If
you select a range (more than one) cell in Step 1, the format
from that range will be copied to a range of the same size using
the cell you select in Step 3 as the top left corner of the
range.

There are a couple of other features of the Format Painter that
you'll want to know about. In the above example, the Format
Painter copied the formats once and then turned off. 

If you want to paint a format to more than one range of cells
you will need to double-click on the Format Painter button in
the first step. Then select each range of cells you want the
format applied to. When you are finished painting, simply click
the FormatPainter button again (or press the ESC key) to turn it
off.

This feature can save you a lot of time designing your reports.


----------------------------------------
How To Link a Text Box to Data in a Cell
----------------------------------------
This is a really neat trick that I learned a few years ago. 

In Excel, you can link a text box to a cell so that the text box
displays the contents of the cell. Now that's pretty cool, but
even better than that, you can format the data in your text box
regardless of how it is formatted in the cell. 

Here's what you do:
1) Click Text Box button on the Drawing toolbar, click in the
worksheet, and drag the pointer to create the text box. 
2) Click in the formula bar or press F2. 
3) Type the equals sign and then the cell that you want the text
box to link to (for example, type =A1). Then press ENTER key.
Whatever is in the linked cell appears in the text box. 
4) You can move the text box to any worksheet in the workbook
you want. 

I'll be there are many uses for this trick that you haven't even
thought of yet. Just use a little imagination.


************************************************************
 READER SUGGESTIONS
************************************************************
TIPS: Do you have an Excel tip you'd like to share with
everyone, please send it to tips@TheExcelAddict.com

TESTIMONIALS: Please drop me a line at kudos@TheExcelAddict.com
and let me know how my Tips, Tricks, Shortcuts, and Techniques
have helped you.

COOL STUFF: Do YOU know of some "out-of-the-ordinary" really
cool thing that YOU can do in Excel? Share it with me and I may
publish it in a new section coming to my website called "Cool
Stuff You Can Do With Excel". Send your suggestions to
coolstuff@TheExcelAddict.com

OTHER COMMENTS: If you have any other comments or suggestions,
please don't hesitate to let me know at
francis@theexceladdict.com


***********************************************************
 SPREADING THE WORD
************************************************************
Currently this newsletter is reaching Excel Addicts in:
Canada, USA, Germany, Norway, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, China and
Australia

There are tens of millions of other Microsoft Excel users all
over the world. The vast majority of them have a very limited
knowledge of Excel's capabilities. My goal is to share this
information with everyone I possibly can and help them to
benefit from Excel's lesser know capabilities.

, please help me spread the word about my
newsletter. If you know other Excel users, please tell them
about "Spreadsheet Tips From An Excel Addict". You can forward
this email to them or, if you'd like to qualify for my T-Shirt
Contest, go to my website http://www.theexceladdict.com and use
the Refer A Friend link to let them know. I'm sure they'll
appreciate it.

NO SPAMMING! Please refer only people you know personally and
who use Microsoft Excel and could benefit from this newsletter.

PLEASE NOTE: Before you forward this newsletter to anyone else,
first delete the Unsubscribe Link at the bottom of this
newsletter. You wouldn't want someone to 'accidentally' remove
your name from my mailing list, would you?


************************************************************
 BONUS "NON-EXCEL" TIP
************************************************************
-------------------------------
So That's What That Key Is For!
-------------------------------
Ever wonder what that funny-looking key with the Microsoft
Windows symbol on your keyboard is for?

Here are some great timesaving uses for that key:

1) Anytime you need to search for a file on your computer, hold
down the Windows key and press the 'F' key. The Find Files
dialog box will pop up instantly.

2) Anytime you need to get back to your desktop, instead of
minimizing the open windows one at a time, hold down the Windows
key and press 'M'.

3) My favourite shortcut with the Windows key is quickly and
easily opening Windows Explorer. I use Explorer a lot, and
anytime I have to use a keyboard that doesn't have the Windows
key, I'm lost. Just hold down the Windows key and press 'E' and
Explorer will pop up instantly.

These tips may save you only a few seconds each time but they
sure make working in Windows a lot easier.


************************************************************
 SUBSCRIPTION MANAGEMENT
************************************************************
If this newsletter was forwarded to you from a friend and you
would like to get your own copy, just send a blank email to
TheExcelAddictNewsletter@infogeneratorpro.com
------------------------------------------------------------
"Spreadsheets Tips From an Excel Addict" is a weekly publication
of TheExcelAddict.com. Copyright © 2003, FJH Marketing. All
Rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------

************************************************************

SPREADSHEET TIPS FROM AN EXCEL ADDICT
Helping Average Spreadsheet Users
Become Local Spreadsheet Experts

Thu Aug 14, 2003

A Free Weekly Publication of TheExcelAddict.com
http://www.theexceladdict.com

************************************************************

I Respect Your Privacy And Pledge Not To Abuse This Privilege.
This newsletter is sent ONLY to those who have Subscribed, is
completely 100% opt-in and NEVER uses spam or bulk email to gain
new subscribers. If you no longer wish to receive this
newsletter, you'll find a simple way to unsubscribe at the
bottom of every newsletter.

This newsletter was sent to:
Francis @ 


************************************************************
 CONTENTS
************************************************************

1) Editor Notes
2) Excel "Quick Tips"
3) T-Shirt Contest
4) "How To Excel" Mini-Tutorials:
5) Reader Suggestions
6) Spreading The Word
7) "Non-Excel" Tip
8) Subscription Management


************************************************************
 EDITOR NOTES
************************************************************
Hi Francis,

The weather is finally starting to warm up here in Newfoundland
on the east coast of Canada. What a fantastic weekend! I did
some gardening and coached a soccer practice for my Girls
Under-12 All-Star team (http://www.TheExcelAddict.com/soccer). I
hope you had a great weekend too.

Wow! This newsletter is continuing to span the globe. We had new
subscribers this week from Canada, USA, Germany, Saudi Arabia,
Brazil, Norway, China, and Australia. Thanks to everyone who is
helping spread the word about my newsletter. I know there are
millions of Excel users everywhere who could benefit from this
newsletter.

Don't forget! I'll be making the first draw for my T-Shirt
Contest on Jume 1st. You've still got plenty of time to
multi-qualify for the draw. Sorry, I didn't get the
Refer-A-Friend form working on the website yet but I promise to
get it working soon. In the meantime if you'll copy (or BCC)
refer@TheExcelAddict.com on the email you send to your friends
recommending my newsletter and website, I'll put your name into
the draw for each person your refer (see the Spreading The Word
section below for the rules).

If you missed any of my tips for the past few weeks, you can
still find them at http://www.TheExcelAddict.com

This week I've got some more great Quick Tips, "How To Excel"
Mini-Tutorials, and another great "Non-Excel" Tip.

I hope you enjoy the tips. Have a great week.

To Your Success!

Francis Hayes (a.k.a. The Excel Addict)

************************************************************
 QUICK TIPS
************************************************************
-------------------------------
Show The Current Date In A Cell
-------------------------------
Last week I showed you how to insert time and date stamps into
your worksheets. Those were fixed values. This weeks tip will
show you how to add a date function to your worksheet that will
update with the current date.

The formula to show the current date is =NOW().

One thing to keep in mind is, this formula will only update when
the worksheet is recalculated or when you reopen the workbook.
That's usually not a problem since the date only changes once a
day. Also, you may have to format the cell to give you your
desired date format.

If you'd like to  show the current time, you can use the formula
=NOW(). This formula gives you both the date and time in the
same cell (i.e. 19-May-03 9:00pm), however, is less useful
because the time in the cell won't change until your worksheet
recalculates or when you reopen your workbook. If you just want
the cell to display the time only, you'll have to change the
number format by selecting Format, Cells, Number, Time, , OK.


---------------------
Give Me The Full Menu
---------------------
Don't you hate it when you click on a menu and the item you're
looking for is hidden. You have to wait a couple of seconds
before Excel will show you the full menu. 

The idea behind this was to simplify menu selections for the
user by showing only the menu items that the user had recently
used. However, I believe that this function hampers new users
from learning many of Excel's best features. If they're hidden,
how will you know that they're there. As the saying goes, Out of
site, Out of mind.

To get the full menu every time, click on View, Toolbars,
Customize, click the Options tab and remove the check mark from
'Menus Show Recently Used Commands First', and click the Close
button.

Now, check out all those cool features that you've been missing.


************************************************************
 T-SHIRT CONTEST
************************************************************
Every month I am giving away a really cool t-shirt from
TheExcelAddict.com. You can sneak a peak at my website
http://www.TheExcelAddict.com

If you subscribed to this newsletter prior to this current
month, you can still get your name in for the draw each month by
helping me share this newsletter.

All you have to do each month is refer your friends and
associates to my website and newsletter through the Refer A
Friend link on my website. For each person that you refer, your
name will go into the draw. The more friends you refer, the more
chances you have of winning a t-shirt. (See the SPREADING THE
WORD section below for important details on Spamming)


************************************************************
 "HOW TO EXCEL" MINI-TUTORIALS
************************************************************
---------------------------------------
How To Easily Duplicate Cell Formatting 
---------------------------------------
Often it takes several steps to format a cell or a range of
cells to get just the right look (i.e. fonts, borders, color,
etc..) 

When you want to apply this same format to another cell or range
of cells you could copy the cell(s) and then click Edit, Paste
Special, Formats. But there's a much easier and faster way. It's
called the Format Painter. Look on your toolbars and you should
see a button with a picture of a paintbrush on it. 

Here's what you do to apply the format from one range of cells
to another:

1) Select the first cell or range of cells.
2) Click on the Format Painter button. 
3) Select the cell(s) you want this format applied to. 

Voila. It's like magic. 

If you select only one cell in the first step, the format of
that cell will be copied to the cell(s) you select in Step 3. If
you select a range (more than one) cell in Step 1, the format
from that range will be copied to a range of the same size using
the cell you select in Step 3 as the top left corner of the
range.

There are a couple of other features of the Format Painter that
you'll want to know about. In the above example, the Format
Painter copied the formats once and then turned off. 

If you want to paint a format to more than one range of cells
you will need to double-click on the Format Painter button in
the first step. Then select each range of cells you want the
format applied to. When you are finished painting, simply click
the FormatPainter button again (or press the ESC key) to turn it
off.

This feature can save you a lot of time designing your reports.


----------------------------------------
How To Link a Text Box to Data in a Cell
----------------------------------------
This is a really neat trick that I learned a few years ago. 

In Excel, you can link a text box to a cell so that the text box
displays the contents of the cell. Now that's pretty cool, but
even better than that, you can format the data in your text box
regardless of how it is formatted in the cell. 

Here's what you do:
1) Click Text Box button on the Drawing toolbar, click in the
worksheet, and drag the pointer to create the text box. 
2) Click in the formula bar or press F2. 
3) Type the equals sign and then the cell that you want the text
box to link to (for example, type =A1). Then press ENTER key.
Whatever is in the linked cell appears in the text box. 
4) You can move the text box to any worksheet in the workbook
you want. 

I'll be there are many uses for this trick that you haven't even
thought of yet. Just use a little imagination.


************************************************************
 READER SUGGESTIONS
************************************************************
TIPS: Do you have an Excel tip you'd like to share with
everyone, please send it to tips@TheExcelAddict.com

TESTIMONIALS: Please drop me a line at kudos@TheExcelAddict.com
and let me know how my Tips, Tricks, Shortcuts, and Techniques
have helped you.

COOL STUFF: Do YOU know of some "out-of-the-ordinary" really
cool thing that YOU can do in Excel? Share it with me and I may
publish it in a new section coming to my website called "Cool
Stuff You Can Do With Excel". Send your suggestions to
coolstuff@TheExcelAddict.com

OTHER COMMENTS: If you have any other comments or suggestions,
please don't hesitate to let me know at
francis@theexceladdict.com


***********************************************************
 SPREADING THE WORD
************************************************************
Currently this newsletter is reaching Excel Addicts in:
Canada, USA, Germany, Norway, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, China and
Australia

There are tens of millions of other Microsoft Excel users all
over the world. The vast majority of them have a very limited
knowledge of Excel's capabilities. My goal is to share this
information with everyone I possibly can and help them to
benefit from Excel's lesser know capabilities.

Francis, please help me spread the word about my newsletter. If
you know other Excel users, please tell them about "Spreadsheet
Tips From An Excel Addict". You can forward this email to them
or, if you'd like to qualify for my T-Shirt Contest, go to my
website http://www.theexceladdict.com and use the Refer A Friend
link to let them know. I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

NO SPAMMING! Please refer only people you know personally and
who use Microsoft Excel and could benefit from this newsletter.

PLEASE NOTE: Before you forward this newsletter to anyone else,
first delete the Unsubscribe Link at the bottom of this
newsletter. You wouldn't want someone to 'accidentally' remove
your name from my mailing list, would you?


************************************************************
 BONUS "NON-EXCEL" TIP
************************************************************
-------------------------------
So That's What That Key Is For!
-------------------------------
Ever wonder what that funny-looking key with the Microsoft
Windows symbol on your keyboard is for?

Here are some great timesaving uses for that key:

1) Anytime you need to search for a file on your computer, hold
down the Windows key and press the 'F' key. The Find Files
dialog box will pop up instantly.

2) Anytime you need to get back to your desktop, instead of
minimizing the open windows one at a time, hold down the Windows
key and press 'M'.

3) My favourite shortcut with the Windows key is quickly and
easily opening Windows Explorer. I use Explorer a lot, and
anytime I have to use a keyboard that doesn't have the Windows
key, I'm lost. Just hold down the Windows key and press 'E' and
Explorer will pop up instantly.

These tips may save you only a few seconds each time but they
sure make working in Windows a lot easier.


************************************************************
 SUBSCRIPTION MANAGEMENT
************************************************************
If this newsletter was forwarded to you from a friend and you
would like to get your own copy, just send a blank email to
TheExcelAddictNewsletter@infogeneratorpro.com
------------------------------------------------------------
"Spreadsheets Tips From an Excel Addict" is a weekly publication
of TheExcelAddict.com. Copyright © 2003, FJH Marketing. All
Rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------