November 2002

Using Auto Correct and Symbols in Word

By Teresa Lightle- Computer Training Coordinator

Microsoft Word offers many different options for inserting symbols into a document.  Symbols are simply a variation of a font.  As users are doing their daily jobs using the Microsoft Office they may have the need to use specialized symbols or the need to write a document using a specialized language character.  Here are some ideas to make it easier to use these items.

AutoCorrect
AutoCorrect is a feature built into MS Office and shared throughout the office programs (It is not carried over into Front Page).  AutoCorrect is the same feature that corrects capitalization at the beginning of every sentence, and automatically corrects many of the typographical errors commonly made by users. AutoCorrect also has many built-in symbols.  Here are the ways you can get the computer to automatically create symbols for you.

Keying	AutoCorrect to	Keyboard Shortcut
(c)	©	Alt+Ctrl+C
(tm)	™	Alt+Ctrl+T
(r)	®	Alt+Ctrl+R
:)	☺
-->	→

You can add or delete an option from AutoCorrect by going to Tools in the menu bar, Choosing AutoCorrect.

In the Replace text box key the common keyboard mistake. In the With textbox key the correction. Click on OK. The example given is adding one of my common keyboarding errors. Chcio.  By adding this option to my AutoCorrect, each time I accidentally key Chcio, it will correct itself to Chico.

Formatting
AutoCorrect under the AutoFormat Tab will also automatically set the option to key fractions, (1/4 will become ¼)  quotes ("") and hyperlinks ( www.bcoe.org will appear as an active link).  This is also the location where those options can be turned off by deselecting the check box in front of the option.

Other ways to access symbols
   
Symbols dialogue box
1. Click on Insert in the menu bar
2. Select Symbols
This is a great option to see the variety of symbols available in MS Office.  It can be overwhelming if you are looking for a specific symbol and do not know under which font it resides.

Many of the fonts also feature subsets. This option will help if you are looking for a rare symbol or one that you will not use often.
Choose the Symbol and press the Insert button in the lower right part of the box.
Word 2002 keeps a record of recently used symbols for you.
This option is not available in previous versions of word.

Using Shortcut Options
Most of the time users have a set of characters that they use frequently.  The user can create a list of short cuts designed for themselves.  Most of the symbols and specialized characters have a shortcut.  To create your own list of shortcuts you can access the symbols dialogue box, choose the special character and note the shortcut keystrokes.  Over a period of time these short cuts will become second nature.

Examples of some of the more common characters:
Note: When using the Keystroke Shortcut you must use the Numbers Keypad on your keyboard. Make sure that the number lock (Num Lock) is on.

Name	Character	Keystroke shortcut
Divide Symbol	÷	Alt+0247
acute e	é	Ctrl+'e
AutoSum	∑	2211Alt+x
Degree symbol	°	Alt+1076
Cent Symbol	¢	Alt+0162
The shortcuts noted above are from the Times New Roman Font

The E-Teacher

E-Math: Writing math equations can be cumbersome and time consuming. There is help. In Microsoft Word you can easily write math equations by utilizing the equation editor. The equation editor can be accessed by choosing  Insert in the menu bar, then selecting Object. The object you want to insert is Microsoft Equation.

Once you click on Microsoft Equation. you will launch an editor within MS Word. Your screen will look a little different and and a box will appear in the upper left corner.

Equations can be keyed using a combination of the keyboard and symbols from the toolbar.

Many of the symbols have additional drop down menus when you click on them.

Once you have completed the equation. Click anywhere outside of the equation box and it will be added to the current Word Document.

Tip: The size font of the equation must be adjusted in the equation editor not in Word.

Great Math Websites

http://www.aplusmath.com/

http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

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For Questions or Comments about this newsletter please contact: tlightle@bcoe.org

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