Sometimes the simplest features of technology – the ones you think EVERYONE knows – should be mentioned. Because, well, not everyone knows. Here are my top 5 favorite technology tricks (or shortcuts!), that I use on the daily:
1. I’m in Outlook, I’ve composed my email, now I’m going to smack down on that special combo of Alt + S to Send my message. I rely only on this keyboard shortcut to send email; ain’t nobody got time for mousing around.
2. Search. Similar to my Outlook shortcut, I rarely mouse around my computer for a file or application. Instead, I click the Windows button on my keyboard, then start typing for what I want. This can be an application (Word) or a file name, (ohSNAP Blog) or even a location on my computer (Printers). Most often the result I want populates at the top of the list, and it’s only an Enter Key away from opening directly in front of me.
3. When you do have to mouse, Right Click. It’s everything, and you can use it everywhere. Right Click your Start Button for a list of shortcuts that would otherwise take 10-clicks to find. When you search for a File, Right Click it to open the Folder Location. Right Click a taskbar icon to Pin files, favorites or open something recent. There’s a world of hidden gems, here.
4. SNAP! That’s the soundless sound of my working window moving to half my monitor. Drag whatever file or application you are working on to the left (or right) edge of your screen, then let go. Pull it back, and it will resume original position. Fun fact for Windows 10 users: you can drag to corners to take up – you guessed it – a quarter of your screen. Want more instruction? Find it here.
5. One more, for the iPhone users: I hope this one is so obvious it’s silly, but recently I demonstrated how to swipe up from the bottom center of an iPhone to display a variety of shortcuts. WiFi, Airplay, Calculator! It’s all RIGHT there. Your Control Center.
These tips may feel insignificant, but once habitual they force efficiency into your workday. I’m giving you the gift of time. Invest wisely.