Show/Hide Command in Microsoft Word

I'm sure everyone has experienced the frustration of hunting for something in the back of a dark cupboard or garage. After feeling around blindly, scaring the resident spiders, you get smart and reach for a flashlight to illuminate the search zone.

When you work with Microsoft Word, you may feel the same type of 'fumbling in the dark' frustration, especially if you are working on a document that has been created by someone else. Word appears to have a mind of its own and each change you make seems to create a new issue within the document. Let me share with you the secret of turning on the flashlight and illuminating what is going on.
The flashlight I am referring to is the SHOW/HIDE command found on the HOME ribbon. If you open a Word document and click on this command you will see a host of new marks added to your text. At first these symbols can seem daunting, but persevere with their presence and you will take the first step to making your relationship with Word a whole lot better. Many of you may be thinking, "I can't work with those on. They are too busy and confusing!" I was once the president of that club, but only because I hadn't been introduced to the benefits of having these marks turned on.
The SHOW/HIDE command allows you to see the keystrokes and content that has been added when the document was typed or edited. Every time you press SPACE, ENTER, or TAB a mark will be added. There are special marks for a whole raft of document content like TABLES and GRAPHICS. Did the author get a paragraph to go onto the next page by hitting ENTER numerous times, or did they add a PAGE or SECTION BREAK? The answer may make a big difference when you edit the document. Without the marks being visible, you won't be able to see where breaks have been added. This can be especially frustrating when it is a SECTION BREAK. If you accidentally delete it, the formatting of the preceding section will be deleted and you may find your document has taken on a totally new look.
Not convinced yet? Have you ever printed a document and found there is an empty page being printed at the end? This can be especially annoying if you are printing multiple copies and have to go through the entire stack to remove the offending pages. Why is Word being so difficult you scream? Word isn't actually being difficult; it is doing what it has been told to do. SHOW/HIDE marks are also known as NON-PRINTING Marks. Just as the name suggests, they will not print even if you have them turned on. If you were to look at the last page of the document with the marks are turned on, you would see at least one mark sitting on the page. Even though there is no text, Word assumes that you pressed RETURN or SPACE for a reason and therefore it sees that page as being part of the document. Delete the marks on the empty page and it will disappear.
For any keyboard shortcut lovers, the keystrokes to toggle the marks on and off is CTRL + *. I struggled to get this to work because I love to use my number pad. In this case the number pad is not the right choice. The keys that you need to use are CTRL + SHIFT + 8/*.
Understanding and utilizing the SHOW/HIDE marks is your first step in building a strong working relationship with Word. For anyone who is dubious about the advantage of using these marks, or who still feel they can't stand the way they look, I suggest you take the two week challenge. Leave the marks on at all times for a couple of weeks. That is generally all it takes for your vision to become desensitized to the busy look of the screen. I am will to bet that you may not even notice the marks are there - until you need them.

Reen Rose is an experienced Microsoft Certified Trainer and Microsoft Office Specialist Master.
She has been described as 'focused, fun and very effective'. Reen believes in guiding people to become empowered Microsoft Office users by giving them the skills they need to be successful, in an engaging and enjoyable environment.

Audio Transcription: What Skills Should You Have?

Audio transcription refers to the manual or automatic conversion of audio files into text format. Audio files are played and processed by a transcriber then the transcriber translates the audio speech into text format. Usually, audio files come in digital form such as mp3, wav, au, and also cassette format. Video file formats may also be transcribed into text format or transcripts.

In today's digital world, most organizations and businesses require some transcription services for profiling and recording. Audio transcription is a booming industry catering to all sorts of businesses and sectors. Because of the wide differences in each sector, transcription services are often classified into different groups depending on the industry they serve, such as legal transcription, medical transcription, and corporate transcription. There are also non-specialty transcription services that different industries usually require.
In order to transcribe audio files properly, a good transcriptionist must have the following traits:
Expert listening skills
A good transcriber must have a healthy pair of ears in order to get all details of the audio message. If a pilot requires keen vision, a transcriptionist needs more than that. It is important to catch all-important sounds. Audio recordings are usually very tricky, depending largely on the type and quality of recording. In addition, the differences in speech accents can make the job even more challenging. In the field of audio transcription, you are literally being paid for being a good listener.
Computer and internet savvy
It is essential for a transcriber to know how to navigate the computer and how to utilize the rich resources available online. Usually, the transcriber will use computer software to adjust the sound and speed of the audio file. Sometimes spoken words can be very confusing, but this does not give the transcriptionist an excuse to not input the right word. This is where the internet and its immense resources can be of huge help. You can browse the web for the closest words possible.
Great typing skills
You do not only need to type fast but also ensure accuracy. When doing audio transcription, time is definitely gold. Depending on the transcriptionists typing skills, a file can be completed in a matter of hours or a day or days. But while one of the objectives is to complete as many transcripts as possible in the shortest time, the ultimate goal should be to come up with quality and accurate transcripts. Rushing the work is definitely a no-no.
Technically equipped
As in any job, one needs to have all the necessary tools to more effectively convert audio files to text. Usually, audio transcription work would require a computer, a good headset, a pedal, and transcription software. The pedal is used to control the pace of the audio file. There may be some words that are very difficult to understand but when spoken slowly become more sensible and clear.
Transcribing audio files is a challenging task. You have to have these traits to cope up with the needs of the task.

For information on transcription skills and training go to: http://www.dailyvirtualassistant.co.uk where you will find services and employment opportunities.