shortcuts

Applying Line and Paragraph Spacing

Quick Shortcut to Apply Line and Paragraph Spacing

The F4 key reapplies the last action. It’s a great timesaver for those repetitive actions – an especially helpful task in customizing the line and paragraph spacing in a text box where not every paragraph gets the same spacing. Here is my sample slide with several text boxes and several paragraph spacing opportunities to improve the legibility.

line spacing f4_image01

If the formatting goal is to add some additional paragraph space between the bullets on each text box, the process unfortunately involves selecting the bulleted text in one text box, opening the paragraph spacing dialog, adjusting, closing dialog and then repeating the process in the next text box.

As a shortcut, adjust the Line and Paragraph spacing, then select the next text box and position cursor on the next bullet line. Use F4 to repeat the step automatically! F4 applies the last action made, so in this case you can go from the above sample slide to the one below in less than 30 seconds vs. several minutes selecting text boxes and opening/adjusting the Line and Paragraph dialog 6 times.

line spacing f4_image02

The F4 repeat works on virtually any command while editing slides. Another great use is formatting text in Tables – in this sample F4 was used to quickly add the text indenting for each 2nd line.

line spacing f4_image04

Also, Ctrl Y is another key command that does the same thing. So F4 or CTRL+Y repeat the last command. Test it out and see how it can save you time.

-Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-10T08:24:12-07:00April 13th, 2016|Tutorial|

Using Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts to Move A Presentation

Windows 7 is installed on all computers here at TLC Creative Services for good reason – it is the best operating system Microsoft has released. If you are not familiar with moving and arranging application windows using keyboard shortcuts in Windows 7, it is a great feature!

Here is my desktop with PowerPoint open as a small application window:

If I used the Windows Key + Up arrow

PowerPoint maximizes to full screen:

Use the Windows key + Left arrow to snap PowerPoint to the left side:

Use the Windows key + Right arrow to snap PowerPoint to the right side:

And use the Windows key + Down arrow to minimize PowerPoint:

Plus, if you have multiple monitors this also moves the application to the other monitors! Use Window Key + Left/Right arrow to “step” the application across the screens. Or use Window key + Shift + Left/Right arrow to quickly move the application to the other monitor keeping the same size and position when it moves.

Give it a try, I am certain this is a Windows 7 feature you will make a part of your daily design routine like I have.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T09:37:57-07:00January 17th, 2012|Tutorial|

Change Font Size with Keyboard Combinations

There is a lot of mouse movement when designing slides in PowerPoint (and while I really like the ribbon layout, I feel there is more mouse movement now than in the legacy toolbar interface). Adjusting font size is a common design need and can easily be done with keyboard commands.

To increase a font size:

To decrease a font size:

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T09:47:47-07:00October 26th, 2011|Tutorial|

Full Screen Online Presentations

If you are presenting through an online application, a good tip for Internet Explorer is knowing how to go to the Full Screen view.

Here is my sample presentation in an Internet Explorer window. It has all of the unneeded toolbars, URL and controls:

If I click the F11 key, Internet Explorer expands to the full screen and hides the toolbars:

Just move the mouse to the top of the screen to have the toolbars pop back. With the toolbar visible, click the Restore icon in the upper right to exit full screen view.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:21:36-07:00April 8th, 2011|Tutorial|

Use Windows P for Setting Dual Monitors

If you use a laptop for presentation, you are probably hunting for the FN+F8 key combination or other manufacturer shortcut to change the display mode. If you use a desktop for presentations you are most likely delving into the graphics card functions to find the display options.

But if you have Windows 7 (laptop or desktop), skip all the hunting and just click the Windows key + P.

Win+P brings up a dialog that makes it easy to switch to Mirrored or Extended Desktop for presentations.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:22:28-07:00April 4th, 2011|Tutorial|

Superscript with Keyboard Command

If using PPT 2007, you may have found the super and subscript buttons missing from the ribbon. My first solution is to make use of the QAT (Quick Access Toolbar) and add these valuable tools to it.

But you can also make any text superscripted with a keyboard command.

This works in PPT 2007, 2003, XP, and 2000 (cannot remember if works in PPT 2000, so this is just a guess).

A few notes about using the keyboard options from my use and observations:
1. PPT 2003 CTR+SHIFT+(plus) superscripts. Do it again and it returns to
standard text.
2. PPT 2007 CTR+SHIFT+(plus) superscripts. Do it again and nothing happens
(eg. no way to return to standard text from keyboard commands).
3. I have never been able to use keyboard command in either version to sub-script text (although others have said it works).

By |2016-09-16T09:03:38-07:00February 2nd, 2010|Tutorial|

Another – BETTER- Way to Nudge/Move a Chart in PPT 2007

I received an email from my friend Ute, a PowerPoint MVP from Germany who directed me to one of her video tutorials with the clue that “strg” means CTRL.

You can watch the tutorial here (it is in German).

Here is my sample chart. Note the full selection line around it when clicked.

But if you CTRL CLICK on the chart you get a different selection, 4 dots.

With the CTRL CLICK selection the arrow keys allow you to move the chart!

Thanks Ute!

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-09-16T10:38:17-07:00April 4th, 2009|Tutorial|

Right-Click From Keyboard

It can happen, just watch the 1:00pm – Customizing ExpressShow with Dan Davis video at TechSmith’s 24-in-24 Camatasia tutorials where someone had to run out and grab an external mouse to use a right-click to access the needed menu. Well now you will never be stuck in that situation with this nifty trick.

Just press the SHIFT + F10 and you have right clicked!

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-09-16T10:47:11-07:00March 22nd, 2009|Tutorial|
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