Mouse Clix

By: Hobie Lunin

What Works for You?

It seems to me that over the last few years that there have been many more computers sold with Microsoft Works installed in them than Works’ big brother, Microsoft Office. Works appears to me to be a smaller version of Office but one that has a great deal of potential and is easy to use. Recent versions usually have a Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database, Address Book and Calendar. In addition, the newer versions have many templates that allow you to accomplish a great many tasks with much of the work already done for you.

Many of you have it but I suspect you have not explored its many uses. This article will, I hope, point you in the right direction. My computer has Works 2000, but if you have an older version, much of this will be the same.

Let us begin by just starting the program from an icon on your desktop or from the Start/Programs menu. The newer version will have a list of the various applications contained by Works on the left, and older versions may have what looks like a folder with several tabs. These may be labeled Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Calendar and Database. For newbies, a Word Processor is an application that allows you to type as if you were using a typewriter and a blank sheet of paper. There is a selection of templates, in addition to a blank sheet. Examples in the Word Processor would be a Flyer, Cover Letter, Memo, Newsletter, Stationery, etc.

A Spreadsheet is the same as a ledger sheet, usually a grid of elongated boxes in which you would record financial data which you can then add or manipulate for some financial purpose. My version shows templates for everything from a Car Loan Worksheet to a Vehicle Log and lots in between. Remember that any of these templates can be changed to suit your individual requirements and can be saved that way as a new template. Another thing you can create in a Works spreadsheet is a graph of your data. There are several kinds of graphs for your data, which can make it more interesting visually. In addition, it may make it easier to see averages, trends, etc.

A Database is just that. You can take, for instance, a list of friends or customers and record all the information about them including their address and phone number and then when your data base is complete, print out what ever data you need about any and all of the people in your database.

Let us try to do something in Works. As an example, in Word Processor, let us try a Newsletter. First, there are a number of formats to choose from. Although you can still use a blank sheet here, I suggest you use a template the first time to get the feel have how to do this. After you made the basic selection of the style, the wizard helps you along the way, first by following information in a separate screen that comes up on the right side of the selected newsletter. “Create a Document with the Word Processor Wizard. The Word Processor Wizard has created a document with the choices you made. Now you can perform the same tasks in this document that you would in any Word Processor document. You can change the formatting or layout, insert pictures, check the spelling and print the document. Before you start working in the document, it is a good idea to name and save it. Then, you are ready to start working.

If the document contains any sample text (frequently this is in Latin to distinguish it from your own work), you can make changes or additions. Just click the section that contains the text you want to change, and then start typing. You can also move and copy the text to rearrange it.

The sample content may also include writing tips. Be sure to delete the tips by selecting the text (move the insertion point to the beginning of the text you want, click and hold down the mouse button, move the insertion point to highlight the text, and then release the mouse button), and then pressing the Delete key on your keyboard.”

You should be able to proceed from here by yourself. Just follow along with the wizard and remember to click on the things you wish to change. Remember, too, that there is a probably some “clip art” in your computer that you can use to add interest to your newsletter. If you do not see what you want, you can go online directly from this application. There, you will find many more graphics on the Microsoft site that you can download directly to your newsletter or to any other document that you wish to create in Works. This service by Microsoft is free. The address is www.microsoft.com

Another application in Works to try is Calendar. If you feel that you want to start the New Year organizing yourself, here is a great place to do it. The program helps you get started and keeps giving you tips.

To learn more about Database, I suggest you look through your greeting card list from the recent holidays and make up a database of all these people. Then you can have the addresses at hand when you do next year’s card or if you are doing a newsletter, you can generate labels from this list for next year’s newsletter. Use the Help program to learn how to manipulate your database, printing out all the directions that you think you need to have in hand to perform the task.

As usual, my suggestion to buy a reference book about any program new to you applies here.

Hobie Lunin is a Computer Consultant and Instructor. He can be reached at: mouseclix2@yahoo.com. Previous articles are at http://mouseclix.tripod.com as well as information on where you can take free computer classes with him.