Accomplish two tasks at once with the Paste Special command (Microsoft Excel 97/2000/2002/v. X/2003)

The Paste Special command offers several options for effectively controlling what and how you paste your Excel data. One of those options includes performing calculations with the data you're ready to paste and the data in the cells to which you're pasting.

Use a checklist to verify picture status in QuarkXPress (5/6.1)

A common caveat in most print jobs is improperly prepared image files. To avoid this and other problems, you should run the Collect For Output command prior to submitting a layout to a service bureau for printing. In addition to collecting all the files necessary for output in one folder, this command creates a report that lists layout attributes, such as fonts, colors, trapping, and so forth.

Create a new toolbar to keep your personal macros organized (Microsoft Excel 97/2000/2002/v. X/2003)

Once you start using macros on a daily basis, they can start snowballing into a big, unorganized mess. And it doesn't help that there are several ways you can run a macro (toolbar buttons, shortcut keys, through the Macros dialog box, etc.). It might be easier if you have them all on one toolbar. This also makes it more convenient to display or hide the macros just by viewing or hiding the toolbar where you store them.

Instant Messaging: Whack it or secure it? (Windows)

IM can be a major security risk on business networks -- not to mention the fact that it can be a huge time-waster. But, some industries depend on instant communication and IM can be an effective business tool, if it's used properly and secured.

Mark a read message as unread (Outlook 2000/2002/2003)

Have you ever opened an email message in Outlook, but then wanted to mark it as unread? For instance, you may want to ensure that you'll look at a particular message the next time you launch Outlook. You've already opened the message, however, so it blends in with other Inbox messages. Because of the importance of this message, you don't want that to happen. To mark the message as unread, just right-click on it and choose Mark As Unread from the resulting shortcut menu.

Define empty elements in XSD

It's sometimes useful to include "empty" elements in your document. These are elements that only have attributes, no subelements or other textual content. For example, the following copyright element only contains a date attribute:

Add the 3D Transform filter to Photoshop (Photoshop CS/CS2/CS3)

For whatever reason, Adobe didn't include the 3D Transform filter in the primary installation of Photoshop CS/CS2/CS3 but you can still add it. All you have to do is add the plug-in to the Filters folder. You'll need the Extras installation disk that came with your application. On this disk, navigate to the Optional Plug-Ins folder. Next, open the Filters folder and there you'll find the 3D Transform plug-in. Then, navigate to your Photoshop application's Filters folder (Photoshop version > Plug-Ins > Filters) and drag and drop the filter here. Restart Photoshop and choose Filter > Render. The 3D Transform filter is now there for you to use.

Customize how Outlook displays your workweek (2000/2002/2003)

Not everyone has a Monday through Friday workweek, so Outlook allows you to customize the days included in your workweek. Let's say that you work Wednesday through Sunday each week, and those are the only days you want to show on your Outlook Calendar.

Hide the clock to expand your notification area (Windows)

If you have a bunch of icons in your notification tray (also referred to as the system tray), that area of the taskbar may quickly become overcluttered. One way to expand the amount of real estate given to the notification tray is to hide the clock from view.

Enable the Eyedropper temporarily for easy color sampling (Photoshop CS/CS2/CS3/CS4)

When you’re painting or retouching an image in Photoshop, you’ll probably want to sample colors to paint with. But it’s a drag going back and forth to the Tools panel to keep swapping between the Eyedropper tool and your painting tool of choice. The good news is that you don’t need to! Use this modifier key instead to switch to the Eyedropper tool temporarily. Simply press and hold [option] ([Alt] in Windows) and your current tool changes to the Eyedropper tool. Release the key and you’ll be back to your original tool.

Plug the Remote Administration security hole (Windows XP/Server 2003)

The Remote Desktop server feature built into Windows XP and Server 2003 is a great convenience, but if it isn’t properly managed, it can serve as a "weak link" where a hacker can get in. That can be disastrous.

Setting the size of your viewer's browser window

Rather than tell a viewer the best window size for your browser, you can set it yourself. That way, when the page loads, the Web browser automatically resizes to the desired size. To pull off this neat little trick, just add a simple little comment to the BODY tag. For example, if you wanted to automatically resize a page to 800 x 600 pixels, you would use the following code:

<BODY onload="window.resizeTo(800,600)">

Disable the System Restore feature

It's possible to reverse any harmful changes you've made to your computer using the System Restore feature. But while this feature can assist you in troubleshooting your system, the restore points it creates can occupy valuable hard drive space on your system. If you'd rather have this space for other purposes, you can easily disable the feature.

One way you can unwind while working in QuarkXPress (4/6.1)

Easter eggs are hidden commands written in programs that do strange and silly things. To witness an Easter egg in QuarkXPress firsthand, create a text box and apply a gradient blend (the blend isn't necessary, but it looks prettier). With the text box selected, choose the Rotation tool and then press [command][option][shift]~ (tilde) ([Ctrl][Alt][Shift]~ in Windows). The box should rotate multiple times, simulating a pinwheel. Cool, huh? Press the [caps lock] key prior to pressing the key combination to reverse the direction.

Find every field in your document (Microsoft Word 2000/2002/v. X/2003)

Looking for those elusive document fields? Quickly navigate to them using the Go To feature. First, display the fields by clicking the Show/Hide button on the Standard toolbar, and then choose Edit | Go To from the menu bar. In the Go To What list box, select Field. Next, select the field type, such as XE, from the Enter Field Name dropdown list. Click Next to find the first field.

Export your EFS certificate (Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003)

The Encrypting File System (EFS) provides an extra measure of protection for your sensitive data files, but sometimes EFS can be over-protective, keeping you out of your own files. If you should have to reinstall the operating system, you may not have access to the encrypted files you backed up to another disk.

Make your picture’s background disappear (Microsoft Word 2000/2002/v. X/2003)

You may occasionally find yourself working with an image with a solid colored background, such as clip art. If an image has a solid colored background, it may cover important parts of an overlapping image. Luckily, you can remove a solid colored background using Word’s Set Transparent Color tool.

Emphasize chart information without editing your chart (Microsoft Excel 97/2000/2002/v. X/2003)

There are times when you want to emphasize some data in a chart, but you don't want to modify the chart permanently. An easy way to draw attention to something without interfering with its original state is to add a callout AutoShape to your worksheet.

Access info about placed image files in InDesign (CS/CS2/CS3/CS4)

The Links panel isn't the only place you can access vital information about image files placed in your InDesign documents. The Info panel is a great resource too.

Disk Error Checking is not a "quick" fix (Microsoft Windows XP)

Disk errors include logical errors, where data is corrupted or misplaced, and physical errors, where the disk surface itself has a defect. To check for these errors, double-click on My Computer, right-click on the drive to be checked, and select Properties from the shortcut menu.