Helpful Hints
The instructions below will teach you to do some of the simple, if you know how, activities you will be asked to do by instructors, especially computer instructors.
- Creating a Screen Print or Screen Capture
- Adding Your Name to the Author Textbox in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Creating a Screen Print or Screen Capture
With the image you wish to capture active on the screen (meaning that it is the one on top of everything else), press and hold the ALT key while also pressing the PRT SCRN or Print Screen key.
Nothing will appear to happen. Windows will take a snapshot of the active screen and copy it to the clipboard. Next, open Word or other application you need to use. Use the Enter key to move the insertion point down two or three lines. Press and hold the Control (CTRL) key while also pressing the V key.
The image will be inserted into your document. As an image, it can be resized or cropped just as any other clip art, graphic or picture can be.
If you are using a laptop, look at the PrtScn key, and note the color. Now, on the bottom row of keys, usually to the left of the space bar, you will see some strange keys such as fn. These are special function keys. Find the one the same color as the PrtScn key and press it while using the PrtScn key to make this work on a laptop.
Zipping a File for Submission
To get to Windows Explorer, right click on the Start button on the Windows desktop, then click on Explorer. Next click on the M: drive with your name on it. Right click, click on New, then click on Folder. Rename the folder by right clicking the name, click on Rename. Rename the folder according to need. For instance, for Word Chapter 5 homework, you might rename the folder Word 5.
Click and drag each file you want to zip for submission on top of the new folder you created, then let go of the button. Double click the folder icon to make sure the file copied into the folder.
After all files you need to zip and submit are in the folder, click on the folder to make it active, then right click on the selected folder. Click on Send to.. in the popup menu. Click on Compressed (Zipped) Folder. Windows will copy the folder, compress all the contents and give you back a compressed or zipped folder by the same name. You will be able to tell which folder is compressed by the zipper that runs through the icon next to the folder, or by the .zip extension added to the folder name.
Submit the compressed or zipped folder with your homework in it.
Unzipping a Zipped or Compressed File
Save the zipped folder to your hard drive or USB drive or M: drive. Open Explorer using the instructions above. Locate the zipped/compressed folder. Right click on the folder, click Extract All. Accept the defaults on each of the wizard screens. When the computer completes unzipping your folder, it will open the unzipped folder for you to see the contents.
The files can now be used to complete your homework or review graded assignments.
Guides to the 2007 Office System User Interface
Can't find icons or commands you used in Office 2003? Microsoft has provided a set of interactive videos to help you out. Click on the link below, then select the application you wish to review. You may download the files or review them online. If you have dial up Internet at home, you might want to download these to a USB drive at the NWACC computer lab to prevent time outs and tying up your phone line for a long period of time.
Adding Your Name to the Author Textbox in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
To add your name to the author textbox in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, first open the file. Click on the round Office button at the top left corner of your screen. Click on Prepare, then click on Properties. Type your name into the Author textbox (first and last name is required). Click on the small x at the top of the properties window (Do not close the program.). Save the file. Close the file. Open the file and use the same steps to open the file Properties. Make sure that your full name is typed in the box. You will not receive full points for any file turned in without your name in the properties. You will not receive any points at all for files turned in with another student's name in the author textbox--regardless of the reason!
Adding Your Name to the Author Textbox in Access
To add your name to the author textbox in Access, open the file. Click on the round Office button at the top left corner of your screen. Click on Manage, click on Database Properties. Type your full name in the author textbox (first and last name is required). Click on the small red X at the top right corner of the Properties dialog box. Close the file. Open the file and use the same steps to open the Properties dialog box. Verify that your name is still in the author textbox. You will not receive full points for any file turned in without your name in the properites. You will not receive any points at all for files turned in with another student's name in the author textbox--regardless of the reason!