Summer is winding down, and the Back to School sales are in full force. It is time for students to sharpen their pencils and respond to the school-bell call to get back to the important task of education. Weather its in a physical classroom or an online platform, students are excited for the school year to begin.

Students come in all ages, and we can each better our lot through the acquisition of new skills. Check out the virtual career-advancing courses AdvantEdge Training has to offer. This year is the year to take you to a new level of mastery and competency! Don’t wait until 2021 to begin the process of further developing your career.

After a summer of pandemic stress and attempts at social distancing vacations, your staff is likely to benefit from some custom-built education to sharpen their skills and help them get back to more normal routines. So be sure to check out what we can offer to your workforce through our private and semi-private training development.

Don’t be left out when the school bell rings!

 Removing duplicate information can be both helpful and intimidating when working with many line items in Excel.

Follow these steps to make the process easy :

1. Ensure your data has column headers and that there are no blank columns or rows between data you want selected and checked.
2. Click anywhere inside the data you wish to have checked for duplicates. (Once you click the Remove Duplicates command, all data will be selected.) 
3. Click the Remove Duplicates command, located on the Data tab, in the Data Tools group. This will select the rest of the data. 
4. A dialog box will pop-up, allowing you to select the columns you want compared for duplicates. It is a best practice to have more selected, rather than fewer, as more criteria will keep the wrong records from being removed. (ex.: If I only chose last name and first name, then there is a good chance I will delete a row that was not actually a duplicate, as there might be more than one person with the same first and last name.) 
5. Once you click the OK button, it will let you know how many duplicates were deleted.  

Learn more was to make Excel less intimidating and your work easier by taking an Excel class with AdvantEdge Training.

All too often, when we are sent data from other, it is not presented in the view we would like. Changing the way our data looks, and being able to do it quickly, can save us some time, when we use the right tools.

In some cases, using a table has some advantages, while using just the drop-down filtering has different advantages. For example, some functions do best when contained in a table; so using regular drop-down filters allows for more complex functionality. Tables, on the other hand, have added functionality to add colors, totals (sum, average, etc.) at the bottom of the data, slicers, and other items not included with drop-down filters.

In our video, we are going to add drop-down filters, and walk through some of the functionality for filtering. Remember, the drop-down filters we use in the video are also available when the table functionality is used for data.

Want to learn more ways to make Excel work for you? Check out AdvantEdge Training’s live training courses.

In older versions of SharePoint, uploading multiple documents was not an easy process, whereas the newer versions of SharePoint (2013, 2016 and 365) have the added ability to drag and drop many documents into a library at the same time. Once uploaded, adding metadata to those documents would be time consuming, if we had to add the information one document at a time.

With the Quick Edit function, we can very quickly make numerous changes. This is especially helpful when uploading documents that require the same metadata, as this functionality allows you to make edits using Excel-like shortcuts. Even uploading one document and adding metadata can be easier using Quick Edit than using the normal edit form of SharePoint, as the normal edit form can be very difficult to navigate when custom coding has been added to the mix. In cases in which the normal edit form is easy to navigate, adjusting or creating a view gives the user an interface where the metadata columns are all next to each other, so there is no need to search for the correct fields, and all metadata tagging can be done quickly and efficiently at the same time.

When using Quick Edit, it is important to have create views that make it easy to add metadata, so the end user does not need to go through extra steps to get the job done. This will help with the user experience and, more importantly, user buy-in.

Check out our video to see how Quick Edit works:

Many organizations that adopt SharePoint as a document management system simply import the files in their shared drives in one fell swoop, without considering some powerful SharePoint tools, like Metadata.

This mistake can lead directly to a failed implementation- the so called document graveyard. SharePoint Metadata prevents this fate and prevents good data from being buried with the bad.

What is SharePoint metadata?

Metadata is data about documents. It may include a document’s origin (author, date written), its context (client, vendor, case number), and purpose (type, approval). There are standard metadata fields, like the date the document was last printed, and customizable fields that can be anything that is relevant to the document and useful to a user.

Even without SharePoint, Microsoft documents have metadata. In most Microsoft Office programs, metadata is visible in the information section of the file tab.

SharePoint Metadata is visible in columns in the spreadsheet view of a document library. Custom metadata can be added to document libraries to make these views more useful.

For example, the spreadsheet view of a document library of sales materials could display the product names, publication date, or other useful information without opening any of the files in the library.

How does SharePoint use Metadata?

SharePoint uses metadata to improve its search results, but it is also valuable for creating ad hoc and permanent custom views.

Document libraries can be sorted and filtered by their metadata to show only the documents that are useful. For example, if a salesperson only wants to see the documents that pertain to a specific client, he can quickly filter out only those documents. He can then re-filter the documents to include only contracts, or only sales of a certain size.

Nested file folders, as is commonly used in shared drives, cannot so quickly be re-filtered or reorganized. Moving files around from folder to folder is fairly simple, but instantly sorting out agreements for all clients, then resorting by the salesperson’s name is impossible.

Saving custom views in SharePoint

These custom filtered and sorted views can be saved and retained permanently. Different SharePoint pages can display different custom views.

For example, if a business were to have a separate page for each client, a custom view, filtered by SharePoint metadata, could display only each client’s documents on their respective pages, even if all of the documents were in the same library.

SharePoint Metadata is one consideration in designing an organizational structure for documents, called a document taxonomy.

Tactful Taxonomy

Good SharePoint taxonomies still divide documents into different libraries and folders, but these groupings tend to be much larger. Instead of having individual folders for each client and sub-folders for agreements, proposals, contacts, etc., it may be appropriate to use one large folder for client documents and use metadata and views to filter only agreements for a specific client.

Try not to go overboard. Good taxonomies include only what is crucial. If filing documents isn’t obvious, then users will skip the system. Complex metadata just gets in the way.

Please contact us with any SharePoint training or SharePoint development needs.

See similar articles on our SharePoint Training Blog and our Legal Document Management blogs.

For more power Sharepoint techniques see our other Sharepoint Tips.

SharePoint is a great way to organize documents – far better than a shared drive – but sometimes it can be a little confusing when trying to upload documents into a SharePoint library. If your company recently updated from an older version of SharePoint, the uploading process might be very different than what you were previously used to; or,  if you just started using SharePoint the first time, you might not be aware of the many different ways to upload documents into a SharePoint library.

The nice thing about SharePoint is that there are usually a number of ways to do different things within the software. Uploading documents into a library is one of those functionalities that has multiple ways to do it. Picking the one that is easiest for you can take some experimentation, until you are familiar with the different possibilities available to you.

In my example, I’ll be using SharePoint 365, but these options are also available to you in 2013, 2016, and 2019 versions of SharePoint. It is always nice to have choices, since your preferences help make your everyday tasks easier ,and allow for a more efficient process.

Here are the options:

Drag n Drop

Dragging and dropping documents into the library is probably the most familiar process. However, companies switching from SharePoint 2010 might not know about this upgrade, as SharePoint 2010 did not allow the option. This option can be used for uploading new documents, as well as moving documents from one library to another.

1. If you are loading documents from your desktop, select the documents to be uploaded.
2. From here, left-click on the documents, and hold down your mouse button and drag them over the top of the library until you see Drop Here… appear in the library.
3. Let go of the mouse button, and the documents will start uploading.

In some case, depending on your company’s policy, there might be additional steps to tag documents. Check out the Just Tip articles for “SharePoint Metadata” and “How to Use a Quick Edit Menu in SharePoint” for more details about these potential extra steps.

Upload Button

When you enter a SharePoint library, there is a line of commands at the top. One of those commands is Upload. This command allows you to upload one document at a time, which can be helpful in cases where you need to find the document to get it uploaded, or you just have one document to upload in the library. The same additional steps might be necessary, after uploading the document in the library, as the Drag n Drop method, which are dictated by company policies and procedures.

1. Once in the library, click the Upload command.
2. Once the dialog box appears, click the Browse button and search for your document.
3. Select your document, and click the Open button to complete the process of choosing your document to upload.
4. Click OK at the bottom of the dialog box, and the document will upload.

Open with Explorer

This last option is only available while using Internet Explorer.  It requires the ActiveX functionality, which is only available by using Internet Explorer. This method of uploading is similar to the Drag n Drop method, except you drag n drop into a folder-style window. This can also be used for transferring documents from one library to another, but two folder windows need to be opened at the same time (one from each library) to do this.

1. To open the folder window and begin the process, go to the library into which you need to upload documents, and click the Library tab of the ribbon.
2. In the Connect and Export group, click the Open with Explorer command.
3. A folder window will open for the library, which will look like this:
4. From here, you can drag n drop documents into the library, or open another folder window from another library, and, using the same steps,  transfer documents from one library to another library.

Again, this last option is only available if you are using Internet Explorer, and you might need to go back to the library and do extra steps to complete the uploading process, based on company policies and procedures.

You can empower your organization’s SharePoint platform by taking a training course from AdvantEdge Training.

Project Managers might need to get lists of tasks for a project from more than one source in order to track everything throughout the project. The project manager could link the files, but in most cases, linking too many files can cause issues with the main Project file. When too many files are linked together, computers, connections, and Project file sizes can cause issues, unless your company is using the Enterprise level for MS Project

Instead of linking the Project files, why not insert them as Subprojects? This process is very easy, and puts everything in one place. The main difference is that linked files update when the main file is opened, whereas Subprojects do not automatically update. Deciding which method to use is usually left up to the project manager, the software, and the system being used by the company. Regardless, using Subprojects is a viable option to add the necessary tasks from an outside source, so proper tracking can be managed.

Here is how you can use Subprojects:

1. Ensure you have the main Project file opened, and that you have access to the file, with the outside sourced tasks, to be added to the main Project file.
2. Select the task to which you want the Subproject tasks added – Note that the imported set of tasks will always insert above the selected task.
3. Click the Project tab of the ribbon, then click +Subproject in the Insert group, to the far left.
4. Find and select the file you wish to insert, then click the Insert button.  
5. The group of tasks will be inserted, and you are done!

MS Project can help all of you projects runs smoothly; learn how with a training class from AdvantEdge Training.

Opening Outlook can be daunting at times, especially if you are someone who receives one hundred-plus emails every night. All you see is chaos first thing in the morning, and you are instantly stresses out, before you get anything done. There is an easier way to view your day or week in Outlook, by using the Outlook Today view, which can be setup to be your default view in Outlook.

The Outlook Today is easy to setup, and can be personalized to fit your needs. If you want to just see daily items to be completed, along with a quick idea of the number of unread emails, and what is coming down the pipeline that week, you have those options. This overview allows you to quickly look at your plan of attack, without being overwhelmed by an overburdened email inbox.

Let’s take a look at how to use this great tool:

First, open Outlook, and click your email address, located above the various folders.

This will open the Outlook Today view.

From here, locate the Customize Outlook Today link and click it. It might be located in the upper right-hand corner, or somewhere below the view.

Once you click the link, it will open the Customize Outlook Today pane. There are several options to setup.

The first option is the Startup option, which allows you to have this view as your default view when opening Outlook. Click the radio box, and a check mark will appear next to When starting, go directly to Outlook Today. Now, this view will be the first thing you see every morning, or whenever you open Outlook.

The next option allows you to choose which email folders you will see in an unread email overview. If you’ve taken our Time Management with Outlook class, you will know how to set rules for incoming emails, and you can set those folders to show up in this view. When done, the Outlook Today view will show you an email folder overview something like this:

The Calendar setup will show you the number of days you want to see, and events that are happening on those days. This can range from one to seven days, . After you have setup this part, the events from your calendar will look like this in your Outlook Today view:

The Task section has a few more options that let you have a dual sorting system, and let you decide which tasks you would like to see listed. The tasks will list in order, with non-dated tasks showing first, with a check box to the left, allowing you to mark your tasks as done in the Outlook Today view:

The last section the Customize panel let’s you choose a style. There are several styles to choose from; once you choose the style you like, click the Save Changes link. This link will be located in the upper right-hand corner of the settings pane. Outlook will then take you to your new Outlook Today view, so you can make sure you like it.

Make better use of your time  and end you inbox clutter with a Outlook class from AdvantEdge Training & Consulting.

Every new version of Microsoft Excel comes with new or updated functions. The 2019 version of Excel is no exception. One of the new functions is MROUND.

MROUND is a little different than other rounding functions, as you reference a cell with a number and tell it to give you the closest multiple requested by you. For example, if I tell the function to give me the closest multiple of 400, then when I place a 1 in the referenced cell, it will give me a zero. However, if I place 300 in the referenced cell, the function will populate a 400. If I place 500 in the referenced cell, I will get 400 as well; but if I place 700 in the referenced cell, I will get 800.

Check out this video to see how to set up the function and see how it works:

Learn more ways that Excel can make your work easier by taking an Excel training as a private group at your company or as an individual in our virtual Training Center with AdvantEdge Training.

While building a PowerPoint presentation, it is common to want certain colors to match within the slide, so that elements of the slide do not look out of place. Anytime we can make a slide more appealing to the senses, makes it easier for listeners to focus the substance of the presentation. As humans are so visual, it can be easy to go overboard with colors. Thus, we do need to make sure we use colors that pull things together, instead of the slide looking so wild that everyone is wondering what happened to it.

One way to pull colors together is to use the Eyedropper function to ensure colors match other elements of the slide. We are not necessarily looking for things to be symmetrical, but rather more consistent. This will help others focus on the important parts of the presentation. Eyedropper works great for elements such as text boxes, as well as other items within a slide.

Text Box Example

Today, we will use text boxes for our example. Below we have a slide in which the text at the top blends too much into the background.

The header text needs a background color to make it stand out. We want to use a color that already exists in the background picture, but we do not want the color we use to look out of place. By following the steps below, we can make text color harmonize with the background picture.

1. When using Eyedropper, you must select the item where you want the color changed. In this case, it will be the text box.
2. The Drawing Tools contextual tab will appear. If it is not active, then click it.
3. In the Shape Styles group, click the drop-down menu for Shape Fill, and select Eyedropper.
4. Your cursor will change shape, allowing you to select the appropriate color. As you hover above different areas of the slide, your cursor will change color to give you an idea of what color will be used for your text box.
5. Once you find the color you want for the text box, left-click and the text box color will change to the color you were hovering over.

Now the header looks like part of the picture, instead of something that doesn’t belong with the slide.

Functions like Eyedropper allow you to create dynamic slides for your presentation, keeping your audience alert, and focused on the presentation.

Learn more about the functionality available, as well as how to create presentations that keep your audience engaged with a PowerPoint class from AdvantEdge Training.