MS Word 2007-16 Legal: Training That Takes You To Expert Level...

We come across many students that have prior training that is filled with gaps.  

Because of this, they have trouble passing hands on job Agency Tests and law firm tests.  This affects opportunities at top firms, salary, perks and other advantages of working in top level legal firms.  Our specialty, is making sure that what holes and gaps you may have in your MS Word Knowledge Base are taken care of. We help you to become an expert level secretary or word processing Operator.  We do this routinely.

1. Are you coming back to the industry after an absence?  2. Are you a beginner?  3. Are you currently working in a firm where your MS Word generic skills have eroded due to use of in-house third party software?   We can help!

OUR STUDENTS ARE WORKING!!

We offer weekly the following:

1.  Live Phone and/or In Person class is approximately 4.5 hours. Phone class may be split into two.  We teach 2007-16.  Half Class available after first full class.

2.   Most classes 1 on 1 or 2 students tops. 

3.   The ability to make your own schedule from class to class.

4.   Learn from those from the top-tier of the legal industry who function as coordinators, lead operators help desk and IT personnel.

5.   We help you with placement as well.

6.    Total test prep before you ever go to the agencies.

Invaluable Word Processing Training at a Affordable Price. 

 Manhattan location Price is $250 a class.

Phone class is always $175.00.  

Course packages are available at discounted rates!  Click on link for pricing:

http://advanceto.weebly.com/courses.html

LinkedIn Group:  "AdvanceTo Legal and Corporate Word Processing Training Forum" for free job postings, free how-to articles and discussions. This is an invaluable resource!!!

Questions?  Just give us a call.

AdvanceTo Corporation

www.AdvanceTo.com 

(888) 422-0692, Ext. 1 or 2

Pie Charts In 3D

1.  After you bring in your Pie Chart, clicking on one slice will select all the slices of the chart.  A second click on that same slice, will now leave only "that particular slice" selected which means "that" particular slice would be affected by any change you make.

2.  Back to our "fully" selected Pie Chart.  To enhance the look so that the chart is not a 2 dimensional flat figure, go to your Home Tab and over to "Quick Styles".

3.  Under Quick Styles, you have Light Outline, Subtle Effect, Moderate Effect, Intense Effect.  As you go up the ladder, the more depth the slices will have, meaning the more 3D it will look.

4.  You can match any color of your Pie Chart with the effects in Quick Styles, and once you do, your Legend will reflect the new color effect and look.

5.  Depending on the color of your Data Labels, you can alter the color, by selecting the Data Labels and going to Font and/or you can apply a "Shape Fill" color to the Data Label which will create a different look to the Data Labels which works for certain Pie Charts.

6.  Finally, for Pie Charts that are uniform in color:  Besides showing Data Labels sometimes showing "Category Names" on the Slices helps as well.  To do so, Select your Data Labels, right click and go down to "Format Data Labels" and down to "Category Name" and place a check next to the selection.  When you are back to the Pie Chart, readjust the Font size so that the "Category Name" and "Data Label" comfortably fit on the slice.

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Showing Percentages in Pie Charts, Bar Charts and Line Charts In PowerPoint

This subject comes up whether you are doing a Pie Chart, a Bar Chart or a Line Chart.  There is a good chance that the data on the Chart will be broken down in percentages.

For example, the percentage of lawyers to paralegal to non legal staff.    Another example would be the percentage of 14 year olds with Cell Phones.   

Pie Charts:

When we do Pie Charts, we can turn our Data Labels on each slice of the Pie to Percentages (For Example 20%, 40% ).

So, in order to show percentages in Pie Charts do the following:

1.  Clicking on one Data Label will select all the Data Labels on the Pie Chart.

2.   Right Click and go to Format Dara Labels.

3.   Under Label Options, instead of the selection Value, which will show only a number such as "40" instead of 40% choose "Percentage" which will now place the Percentage Symbol" next to each Data Amount (Data Label) on each piece of the Pie.

Use of Percentage on Bar and Line Charts:

When doing Bar Charts and Line Charts the "Percentage" selection is not available so we need to customize the Data Labels in Order to have them show as a Percentage.  

So, if we have values in our Bar or Line Chart such as 20, 40, 60 etc. and wish to change them to read as a Percentage, you would do the following:

1.  Click on a Particular Data Series and "ALL" Data Values will now be selected in that Series.

2.   Right click and choose "Format Data Labels".

3.   Go to "Number" and go to "Custom".

4.     Under "Format Code" put in ##\% followed by pressing the "Add" button.

5.   The Data in that Particular Data Series will now show the number as a percentage. (40%)

6.   If the number is initially using a decimal such as 12.4, 2.6, 10.2 then use ##.#\%.

Training From An Inside Perspective:

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Doing Tables In PowerPoint

Tables in PowerPoint is a light version of MS Word Tables.

1.  In MS Word Tables, I can use my Paint Brush for copying attributes and Tab Formatting.  In PowerPoint, I can make use of the Paint Brush but it will not work to copy Tab Settings.  

2.  Whether I use a Right Tab in the ruler for my Dollar Sign Lines and a Decimal Tab for my Non-Dollar Sign Lines, I still have to do Control Tab to get to the Decimal Align under PowerPoint.  In MS Word Tables, once you set a Decimal Align Tab, the cursor jumps right to the position of where you will type your first number and the number goes in from Right to Left.

3.  Dotted Leader on the Side Headings Portion in PowerPoint Tables.  To get a Dotted Leader Stemming from each side Heading, you set a Right Tab on the Ruler and under the Home Tab, go to Font and under Underline Type, choose the Dotted Line Type.  Now go to the end of line that needs the Dotted Leader and use Control Tab to jump over to the Right Tab you set in the Ruler. In MS Word this would have simply been taken care of with the Tab Setting Dialog Box by choosing selection No. 2 under Leader.

4.  Finally, because you cannot seem to Paint Tabs from one cell to another within PowerPoint Tables there is a crude way to cut down on some of the grunt work of setting Tabs line by line.  If you set up your Table in PowerPoint, and have, let us say the next five rows of a specific column that are using a specific tab type the trick is to create the new rows as you go along.  After you type each line,  press your Tab Key to force the creation of a new row.  Because it feeds off the prior row, it retains the tab settings you were using in the cells of the prior row.

Play around with PowerPoint when you can to become comfortable with PowerPoint Tables.

Training From An Inside Perspective

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The Roman and The Combo Number

By Louis Ellman

This is sure a weird title huh.  Well it is important that the concept is explained especially for those new to Multilevel Outline Numbering.

Scenario:

Heading 1

ARTICLE I (Roman I) (soft return)

INTRODUCTION (hard return)

Heading 2 

Section 1.01  The Company (hard return)

===================

So, we set up Article I in the Multi-Level Dialog Box where the Numbering Aspect of Level 1 is the word Article followed by a Roman I.

For Heading 2 we see that we have a "Combo" number.  The number is 1.01.  A Combo number "which is what I call it" is composed of the first and second levels brought together to produce the end result of 1.01 in the Multi-Level Dialog Box.

1.  Combo numbers are created by going to "Include Level Number From" and choosing "Level 1" followed by a period and then you going to "Number Style For This Level" and choosing as in our example above, the 01, 02, 03 style of numbering.

2.  When the two pieces come together, you get your 1.01 or 1.1. depending on the needs of the document. Both pieces will be Grey meaning that they are automated and not hard coded (typed in).

3.  This is the most important point.  When your Heading 1 has a Roman Number as does our example, your Combo number will initially come in as I.01 (Roman.01).

4.  To remedy this, you check the "Legal Style Numbering" check box which will turn the Roman.01 over to the intended 1.01 but will not disturb the Heading 1 Level.

That is how you deal with a Combo number when your first level is using Roman numbering.  

Give it a try

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Training From An Inside Perspective...

MS Word 2007-16 Legal: From Basic To Expert Level Training

On a regular basis, we help people to achieve a very high level comfortably.  They do very well on Agency Tests and are well prepped before they ever test anywhere.

Don't be a person who almost had the skills, who almost had enough knowledge, and who almost had the ability to take advantage of opportunities at top firms.  There is no reason.  Our training is thorough and affordable!

Some of the things that set us apart:

1.  Homework follows every class.  These documents are just like the documents you will be working on.  You send them to us and we critique them for you.  This vital feedback helps you to grow.  This is free for our students.

2.  Our students have full access to the LinkedIn site that is filled to the brim with Top-Tier level scenarios and how-to's.  We have been placing great articles in the group since 2010.

3.  Before you ever go to an agency or law firm, you will receive pre-testing so you know exactly where you stand.

4.  We assist with your placement as well!

Our students are working!!

We offer weekly the following:

1.  Live Phone and/or In Person class is approximately 4.5 hours. Phone class may be split into two.  We teach 2007-16.  Half Class available after first full class.

2.   Most classes 1 on 1 or 2 students tops. 

3.   The ability to make your own schedule from class to class.

4.   Learn from those from the top-tier of the legal industry who function as coordinators, lead operators help desk and IT personnel.

Invaluable Word Processing Training at a Affordable Price. 

Manhattan location Price is $250 a class.

Phone class is always $175.00.  We accommodate on weekends as well.

Course packages are available at discounted rates!  Click on link for pricing:

http://advanceto.weebly.com/courses.html

LinkedIn Group:  "AdvanceTo Legal and Corporate Word Processing Training Forum" for free job postings, free how-to articles and discussions. This is an invaluable resource!!!

Our Courses Include:

-Homework, Practice & Job Testing

-After Class Coaching

-Resume Review

-Job Placement Assistance and  --

-Test Prep

-Books Authored By Us

Questions?  Just give us a call.

AdvanceTo Corporation

www.AdvanceTo.com 

(888) 422-0692, Ext. 1 or 2

The Difference Between Data Series and Data Labels:

This subject has to do with PowerPoint Items Found in Pie, Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Charts etc.

Let's use a Pie Chart as a good Visual to define Data Label Vs. Data Series.

Scenario:  Our Pie Chart Involves the Percentage of those people in certain groups that have a Pet.  The Groups are 1. Business Owners, 2. Office Workers, 3. Blue Collar Workers, 4. IT Professionals and 5. Retired Workers.

1.  For this scenario, let us assume that the percentages of the different categories of workers went as follows: Business Owners 20%, Office Workers 30%, Blue collar 25%, IT Pros 0.5% and Retired 20%.

2.  Picture the Slices of the pie and on each slice of the pie, picture the size of each slice based on the percentage of each category type that owns a pet.

3.  The Percentage figures that you see on each individually colored slice of the pie are known as Data Labels. 

4.   The Data Series would be the different categories of people that were polled in order to produce the chart as a whole.   And in this case, the Data Series would be composed of 5 separate categories producing the 5 slice pie.

5.  Each individual part of the Data Series (each part of the pie) can be formatted individually in terms of color, while each individual Data Label (the percentages) can be formatted in terms of color and font size.

6.  When you deal with Bar Charts they too have Data Labels on each part of the Bar For Each Separate category.

7.  For each separate plot point of a Line Chart you can have a Data Label showing at that point.  Each Separate category in a Bar Chart and Line Chart is known as an individual Data Series since unlike a Pie Chart, Bar and Line Charts can be composed of multiple Data Series.

Training From An Inside Perspective

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Attribute In Paragraph Style Overrides Character Style

What is this about?  The Main Lesson Here:  Don't place attributes such as Bold, Italic, Underscore on text in the form of a Character Style as well as building that SAME attribute into a Heading Style applied to that SAME piece of text. 

 If you want to have certain attributes show up in the TOC you have to know how the system reacts to certain scenarios.

Let's examine this:  Some things we know for sure.

1.  If a Heading in the Raw Text (pre-formatted text) is in Uppercase and you leave it that way, and build uppercase into your Heading style, then the Raw Text will Win Out and your TOC will be in ALL CAPS.

2.  If a Heading in the Raw Text is taken out of ALL CAPS to Initial Caps and ALL CAPS is built into the Heading Style, then your TOC will have Initial Caps only.  

3.   If a Character Style is used on Heading Text within the document such as Italic, Bold or All Caps 

but NOT built into the Heading Style itself, then that character style attribute will now show up in the TOC.

4.  Here is the main point.  If you build an attribute such as Small Caps into a Heading Style and you apply that same attribute as a Character Style to that SAME piece of text then the Heading Style Attribute will override and CANCEL OUT the Character Style.  In that case, your TOC will NOT have the intended attribute.  You would need to REMOVE the attribute in the Heading style for the Small Caps character style to be carried over into your TOC.

5.  Finally, if the attribute is selected in the Heading Style (such as Small Caps) and you apply that same attribute as DIRECT Formatting to the Heading Text then:

--  It will display the attribute in the document as in our example (Small Caps), but it will NOT transfer over to the TOC.  You would have to make sure to remove the attribute from the Heading Style.

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Removing Word Art Styles From Text In PowerPoint

Since 2007 MS PowerPoint has improved the Word Art Styles (under Drawing Tools) that give you a lot more choices that can quickly be applied to text.  You also get to "try on"each look by simply placing your cursor over the particular color scheme that catches you eye. It then will show you the look as you go from color to color.  In this way, you don't have to apply anything until you find what you want.

It is not quickly apparent how to remove the attribute altogether if you decide you want the Word Art Style to be taken off that piece of text.  

This can save you a lot of valuable time if you need to have it removed.

To remove the no longer wanted Word Art:

1.   Highlight the text that has the Word Art you wish to remove.

2.  Go to your Home Tab.

3.   In your Font area (to the right of "Decrease Font" and to the left of your "Bullets" button) look for a double Aa with a small Eraser.

4.   That is your "Clear Formatting" button.  Click it and that will remove the effect.

Every little bit of knowledge will help at one point or another.

Training From An Inside Perspective

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Learn MS Word Legal: The 3 Essentials When Doing Cleanup On MS Word Documents

When I do a document cleanup, my routine involves 

1. Changing the font for the document as a whole.

2.  Making sure the quote style matches all the way through.

3. Making sure the margins are 1 inch all around.  

4.  Making sure section breaks are set for New Page and Different First Page applied to the entire document.

5.  Making sure that the document is set for top alignment with the exception of the Cover Page which I set for Vertical Alignment Center.

Because some of the text attributes were applied directly, this is why you will still see mixtures of fonts within the text after you have changed the document font by modifying the Normal style.

As part of the cleanup routine, I select all the text (Control A) and then use Control Spacebar which strips off any fonts that were directly applied so that only the font selected for the document as a whole remains.  Yes, I also make use of Paste Special - Unformatted Text when I want to strip the document down to raw text.

Below is a summary of what I call the 3 essentials.  Keep in mind that with the exception of Control Shift N, we are talking about removing surface formatting and not disturbing the style attributes.

CTRL+SPACE BAR – This removes all character-level formatting—strange fonts, underlining, boldface, italics, etc. 

CTRL+Q – This removes all paragraph-level formatting—out of place indents, line spacing, extra spacing before and after the paragraphs, etc. 

CTRL+SHIFT+N – This returns the selected text to Normal formatting.  

Note:  Before I alter a document in a major way, I always make sure that I have a hard copy printout so that I know where all of the bold, italic and underscore occurred within the document.  I then have the ability to build those attributes into styles and/or create character styles to handle some of the surface formatting that will be more controllable with the use of a character style.

Training from an inside perspective

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Signature Blocks When Pressed For Time

I have discussed signature blocks before, where I have recommended having signature blocks sitting in a template covering various scenarios for quick completion.

I have also recommended having the traditional signatures set up ready to go. By traditional, I mean the Signature style in the right side style pallet that automatically throws the signature to 3.0 on the ruler as well as having signature blocks waiting in tables for those scenarios where you have two columns of signatures.

What if you do not have signature blocks ready to go as a Macro but nevertheless have to get two column signature blocks together quickly?

1. What I am going to show you will speed up the process. ..

2.   You have the need to do signatures in tables. Two columns

By: Tab ______________ Soft return
Name: soft return
Title: Hard Return

3. As soon as you have one good signature in place that looks great, you then copy that signature to all the other cells in the table that need a signature.

4. The problem occurs with signatures in tables when instead of a Hard Return at the end of the word Title, you have a "Table" return instead.  In this scenario, each time you try to copy a completed signature to another cell, your signature will collapse. The "table return" cannot hold formatting information but the Paragraph return does.

5. In order to copy a completed signature from one cell to another smoothly (meaning it stays intact), remember that only the hard return holds instruction regarding formatting and table cell symbols do not. So, when highlighting the signature to be copied, just remember to always "include" the hard return after the word "Title" when copying a signature and you will be done quickly.  After the completion of your first signature within a two column table, you will be able to copy it and paste it again and again in order to create a quick duel column signature block.

Try it out when you can.  Remember, when you need to tab within a table cell you use Control Tab.  Using just the tab key alone, will hop the cursor from cell to cell.

Training From An Inside Perspective

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