Transferring Excel Worksheets From One Workbook To Another

Excel allows you to change the order of worksheets within a workbook at any time. There are two ways of achieving this, the first of which is simply to drag the tabs representing each worksheet left or right. As well dragging individual tabs, it is also possible to highlight several tabs and drag them all at the same time.

Not only can you move worksheets around within the same workbook, it is also possible to move worksheets from one workbook to another. For example, suppose we have a workbook containing a worksheet for each month of the year ("Jan", "Feb", etc.) and that we now would like to split this into four smaller workbooks, one for each quarter: the first containing "Jan", "Feb" and "Mar"; the second containing "Apr", "May" and "Jun"; and so on.

To keep the number of sheets we will end up with in each workbook to a minimum, we could begin by reducing the default number of worksheets Excel will give us in each new workbook. To do this, we click on the Office Button and then choose Excel Options. In the section labelled "When creating new workbooks Include This Many Sheets", we reduce the number to one. We can now create four sheets by clicking four times on the new sheet icon on the Quick Access Toolbar.

Each of our new workbooks has one sheet, which is the minimum that Excel will allow. We can access these new workbooks by clicking on the View Tab and accessing the Switch Windows drop-down menu. The first method of moving worksheets from one workbook to another is to drag and drop. To do this, we will need to see all the workbooks simultaneously. Excel has a special command for doing this. In the View Tab, click on the Arrange All button and choose "Tiled". Excel will then present each of the workbooks in a miniature window, allowing us to see all of the open workbooks simultaneously.

The next step would be to select the three sheets pertaining to the first quarter: we click on "Jan", hold down the Shift key and click on "Mar". We can then drag the selected sheets across to the window of any of the new workbooks. We can then repeat this exact same procedure for the other quarters.

As was mentioned earlier, the minimum number of sheets which you can have in a workbook is one. Therefore, when we have moved the final three sheets, the window of the original workbook will simply disappear. Naturally though, the last saved version of the document will still exist.

The final step would be to delete the unwanted sheet from each of the four new workbooks. Having done this, to leave the split screen view and return to normal mode, we simply maximise any of the windows.

By the way, the second way of copying sheets from one workbook to another is to use the Move or Copy Sheets command. You will find this command in the Format drop-down menu in the Cells section of the Home Tab or by right-clicking on the selected sheet tabs. As well as moving sheets, this command also allows you to create a copy at another location.

How To Receive your Twitter Messages in MS Outlook

There are some very useful Twitter applications to keep track of your send and received Twitter updates.

But if you want to keep up to date with your messages you need to either have your browser open all day with Twitter.com or you need install a desktop application like TweetDeck.

But this isn’t necessary anymore since you probably have Outlook opened all day. Today I installed a pretty cool add-on for MS Outlook called OutTwit.

Some of the features are:
Update your Twitter status directly from Outlook.
Receive your friend updates in Outlook.
Archive, manage, group and search your tweets the same way you manage your email (details).
Group tweets by sender, topic, etc using the Search feature
Assign custom folder and categories to new messages.
Use Outlook’s "Reply" and "ReplyAll" commands to send twitter direct messages and @replies.
Automatically sort new tweets into per-sender folders.
Shorten URLs with tinyurl.
See graphs of your Twitter usage statistics.

It’s a free application with a pretty simple installation, you can download OutTwit here.
The add-on looks like this when you installed it.

The options are found under OutTwit.
Here are some of the screenshots I took when I was playing around with my settings.


Simple user name and password screen.


One of the biggest advantages of this add-on are the receiving options. While my outlook checks for new email every 15 minutes my Twitter messages are checked every 2 minutes.
I do advice to turn off Friend Timeline, especially if you follow a big group. I had to learn this the hard way;).

Organizing your send Twitter messages in Outlook is now a breeze.

The last feature that I like a lot are the various graphs of your Twitter stats.

Have fun with Twitter and with Outlook, here’s the download page once more.

Key Components Of An Excel 2007 Chart

Charts are a quick and easy way of graphically illustrating trends within your data. One glance at a chart can make it very plain where there is a dip in sales figures, a surge in visitor numbers and a host of other trends in whatever data is being represented. In this article we will examine the various components of an Excel chart.

The first requirement is a set of data which can easily be converted into a readable chart. It is normally best to plot data which is a summary of your information. It is also useful if your data is arranged in columns or rows with headings at the top of columns or on the left of rows.

An typical example of information which would be easy to convert into a chart is a selection containing two columns with data on the left and the corresponding values on the right. When the chart is generated, the labels are placed on what is variously known as the category axis, horizontal axis or x axis; while values are arranged on the y axis. When your data is arranged in this format, the chart that Excel plots will not need much modification.

Charts may either be embedded or standalone. Embedded charts are placed directly on the worksheet, often alongside the data being plotted. A stand-alone chart has an Excel sheet dedicated simply to the chart. This is known as a chart sheet; in contrast to a worksheet.

Whether embedded or standalone, the main elements in a chart are always the same. First of all, you have a chart area. This is the background to the chart as a whole. Next, there is the plot area. This is the area where the graph or chart is actually plotted. Then, as we have seen, we have two or more axes. In a typical, "no frills" chart, there are two axes: the horizontal, or category, axis and the vertical, or value, axis.

Next, we have one or more series of data. In the example cited above, where we select a column of labels and one column of values, there would be only one series of data. Whenever a chart contains more than one series, it is necessary to clarify what each column represents. This is done by using a legend. The legend acts as a key which tells us what each colour within the chart actually stands for.

As well as the text labels associated with the axes and with the legend, Excel also allows to create chart titles. As well as the main chart title, we also have the option of placing titles on the axes. Within the plot area, we can also choose to display grid lines. These make it easy to read the value associated with each point on the chart.

These then are the main elements within a chart. However, Excel allows you to customise each of these elements and add other elements which enable you to create charts which convey exactly the message you have in mind.

Tools, Apps and Bots to Improve your Twitter Experience

Over the past couple of months, I have gone from being a passive uninterested Twitter user to an addicted engaged Twitter user. Why the sudden change? Partly because I have seen how the product has evolved for the better and also partly because the number of tools, features and users for Twitter has grown exponentially. All the major news networks and blogs also maintain Twitter feeds.

Here’s a prime example of how Twitter has grown into something useful. Before writing this article, I sent a Twitter message saying that I was writing this and I asked people for opinions and input. In a matter of minutes, I was flooded with private direct messages with website links, ideas, tips and much more to consider for this piece.

Therein lies the beauty of Twitter - it is an instant messaging system on steroids. You can use it to promote blog posts (Make Use Of has one) and you can ask people for help, opinions, referrals, links and much more. I’ve even see people hiring consultants over Twitter so it’s now turning into an online recruitment area.

Here for your reference are the cream of the Twitter crop. Find out how to flag words, track phrases and use automated bots to simplify your life. We will also take a look at some of the third party apps out there that remove the need for you to even use the Twitter website.

THIRD PARTY APPS

Most people use the Twitter website or their mobile phones to update their status. But lots of third party apps are suddenly appearing, one of which I am using exclusively.

1. Using Twitter via your instant messaging program :

If you use Google Talk or Jabber, you can use Twitter on these apps by configuring the Twitter Devices page. Google Talk is a good one to use as your Tweets are instantly archived in your Gmail account.

All you need to do is configure the Devices page then add Twitter to your contact list. Then send it an instant message and your Twitter page is updated seconds later. You will also receive the IM updates of all the people you are following (unless you have this switched off).
Alternatively, you can Tweet using Skype. If you’re more of a Windows Live Messenger or ICQ user, you can Tweet using TwitterIM. Apple iPhone users can use PocketTweets. You can even Tweet from Microsoft Outlook. Or if you’re a mega-geek, you can even Tweet from the Windows Command Line.

I have been unable to find Twitter updating tools for Yahoo Messenger and AIM. If anyone can suggest any, please let us know in the comments.

2. TWhirl (Install Twitter on your desktop) :

TWhirl is my preferred Twitter app which can be installed on your PC as it runs on the Adobe AIR platform. Turquoise in colour, it has a very sleek interface and it only checks for new Tweets every 5 minutes which means you are not overwhelmed with new messages. You can also follow people and perform other Twitter functions.
Check out even more Twitter apps on the Twitter fan wiki.

TWITTER TIPS

3. Flag words with a hash :

If you are writing a message, you can highlight certain words with a # to mark them out as keywords that people can track. So if you write “I went to see #Spiderman last night at the cinema“, anyone tracking the word “Spiderman” will be able to find your post. Very useful for SEO and promoting certain words & phrases, especially that Twitter posts are now being indexed in Google and Technorati.

4. Track words or phrases :

Just as you would with Google Alerts, you can now be notified when a certain word or phrase pops up on Twitter. Just go to your Twitter page and write the word or phrase in your update box preceded by the word “track”. So if you wanted to track MakeUseOf, you would type in your Twitter update box : track makeuseof. You will get a confirmation message and you can stop tracking a word or phrase at any time by typing “untrack” and the word / phrase. So untrack makeuseof

This feature is good for monitoring what people on Twitter are saying about you, your business or any of your interests. As soon as anyone mentions your keywords, you’ll be the next to know about it.

BOTS
Not all the accounts on Twitter belong to real breathing humans. Some of them are useful bots that make Twitter even more useful.

5. Breaking News

Get the breaking news headlines. This bot has often scooped CNN and the BBC. In fact I first heard of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination and Heath Ledger’s death on Twitter long before it appeared on CNN. Another good news-related person (a real person) is this guy who is a TV cameraman who is often assigned to the White House Press Corps. He tweets relentlessly about what’s going on and where he is.

6. GCal

This really cool bot allows you to update your Google Calendar via Twitter or your mobile phone to Twitter. I use this a lot when I am away from the computer and I need to update my calendar.

7. MakeUseOf - As I have mentioned above, you can follow MakeUseOf on Twitter too. Not only you can follow-up on MUO posts but also directory additions and stuff from Geeky Fun.
Other bots which have been recommended to me (but I haven’t tried them) include:
forecast - for weather forecasts
Timer - get reminder messages
Stock - for stock prices
RUWTbot - for sports scores and TV listings
Wordbot - for cheating at word games

I have only begun to scratch the surface here so I am tempted to do a part two to this post soon with more that I have found. But if you have any favourite Twitter apps, bots, tips or tricks, please let us know in the comments. Why not also let us know your Twitter name? I am always looking for new people to stalk!

(By) Mark O’Neill is a blogger, English tutor and internet addict. Check out his private blog at www.betterthantherapy.net

10 Best Twitter Tools for Wordpress Blogs

Twitter is buzzing and here is a collection of top 10 twitter tools, plugins, widgets and scripts to integrate with your wordpress blog.

TweetSuite - a Twitter-WordPress integration plugin that includes server-side TweetBacks, ReTweet-This buttons, digg-like Tweet-This Button, automatic tweeting of new posts and some widgets.

Tweet This - A plugin that adds a Twitter icon to every post and page, so your readers can share your blog entries on their Twitter accounts with ease.

WP Twitip ID - Plugin adds an extra field to the comment form for user to enter their twitter username

Twitter Badge - Official javascript codes that display badges showing what you are posting on Twitter.

The Twitter Updater - a wordpress plugin that automatically sends a Twitter status update to your Twitter account when you create, publish, or edit your WordPress post. You can specify the text for the updates, and also have the option to turn the auto update on/off for the different post actions in the admin panel.

TwitThis is an easy way for people to send Twitter messages about your blog post or website. When visitors to your website click on the TwitThis button or link, it takes the URL of the webpage and creates a shorter URL using TinyURL. Then visitors can send this shortened URL and a description of the web page to all of their friends on Twitter.

Twitter Tools - This wordpress plugin creates an integration between your WordPress blog and your Twitter account. Pull your tweets into your blog and create new tweets on blog posts and from within WordPress.

Twitter Wordpress Sidebar Widget - Customise the number of updates shown in your sidebar, individual links to each status update on Twitter, style your Twitterings using CSS, choose whether to display your Twitter name before each post and customise text between the post text and the relative time.

Twitter Feed - Posts your blog updates to your twitter account. Login to twitterfeed using your OpenID, provide the URL for your blog RSS feed, and how often to post to Twitter.

Twitt-Twoo - is a simple little plugin that will allow you to update your Twitter status right from your blog’s sidebar. It is AJAX powered and allows for quick and easy status updates.

Twitter Sharts - ‘Shart’ your twitter status anywhere within your wordpress blog posts or pages.

Optimize Your Direct Messaging on Twitter - Twitter Tip

Introduction

A lot of times the only way you can communicate with an individual is via twitter. Sometimes when you want to communicate with this individual you don’t want to use an @reply so you choose to go with a direct message. Keeping up with this hypothetical situation, you only want to send this individual one direct message, rather than multiple DM’s that all revolved around the same topic. Here are some great tips for optimizing your 140 characters.

Kick the Habit of Adding a Space After Periods
Sure it’s bad grammar, but this is Twitter not college. If you rid yourself of the habit of spacing after sentences you will be able to pick up an additional character or two.

Example A (The Wrong Way) - “Hey quick question. What is your plan for tonight? I really want to do something!”

Example B (The Right Way) - “Hey quick question.What is your plan for tonight?I really want to do something!”

Savings: 2 characters.

Use Contractions

Again, this isn’t what your college professor would want to see when you are handing in a research paper, but contractions can save you some valuable characters.

Example A (The Wrong Way) - “Hey quick question.What is your plan for tonight?I really want to do something!”

Example B (The Right Way) - “Hey quick question.What’s your plan for tonight?I really want to do something!”

What we did there was turn “What is” to “What’s”

Savings in this example: 1 character.

Get rid of unnecessary adjectives

This is an important one! If you can rid yourself of unnecessary adjectives you can save a ton of characters.

Example A (The Wrong Way) - “Hey quick question.What’s your plan for tonight?I really want to do something!”

Example B (The Right Way) - “Hey question.What’s your plan for tonight?I want to do something!”

What we did there was rid ourselves of the words “quick” and “really.” Interestingly enough, this is something a professor would probably like to see.

Savings in this example: 13 characters

Turn Your Words Into Numbers

I know this isn’t very nice on the eyes, but it sure is an effective way to save a character or two when you most need them.

Example A (The Wrong Way) - “Hey question.What’s your plan for tonight?I want to do something!”

Example B (The Right Way) - “Hey question.What’s your plan 4 tonight?I want 2 do something!”

What we did there was change the word for to “4″ and the word to, to “2.”

Savings in this example: 3 characters

Get Rid of the Punctuation at the End

The message is capped at 140 characters, so it is safe to assume that the reader of your message will know when you are finished.

Example A (The Wrong Way) - “Hey question.What’s your plan 4 tonight?I want 2 do something!”

Example B (The Right Way) - “Hey question.What’s your plan 4 tonight?I want 2 do something”

What we did there was rid ourselves of the exclamation point at the end of our message. Again, it is unnecessary for the nature of this direct message.

Savings in this example: 1 character

Conclusion

By using the methods above we were able to save 19 characters on our direct message. Sure, the example I used was trivial, but I think it illustrates the point. Hopefully these little tips and tricks will give you the ability to say what you want in one simple, clean message.

Bonus Tip for Linking: Use is.gd for URL Shortening
http://is.gd

Posting And Replying With Images and Links With Twitter

Twitter is the latest craze everyone is into and if you have not signed up for a free account, you should do so and start leveraging on social sites like this to build your profile and community. I have recently just started using twitter and found a number of tools that suit users who are still new in this fun community, here is what i have to share with you guys. In

Quotably is a twitter client which allows you to post your reply directly from the site, just login your twitter account and start posting replies to those who you follow.

Twhirl is a desktop twitter client that looks more like a MSN or chatbox, it will give you alerts when there are updates in your followers. You can post pictures and replies through the client, it uses adobe air platform, so you need to install the adobe air before having your program running.
Feed your latest blog post over to your twitter's account and this is done automatically once you have added your blog feed into your twitter feed. Use your openid to login you in, otherwise you can sign up for one quick and easy.

"Twitterrific is a fun application that lets you both read and publish posts or "tweets" to the Twitter community website. The application's user interface is clean, concise and designed to take up a minimum of real estate on your Mac's desktop." Do we forget the Mac users? I doubt not! It might have to cost you a little at $14.95 for the software.

Pwytter is a standalone Twitter client. Pwytter is written in Python / tkInter and is multi-platform. It works exact the same as twhirl but it can be running on all three platforms: Windows, mac, linux.

Send files to your friends, but just dragging any file on to Tweetr. Tweetr will automatically upload your file and when it is done will provide a short url to send to your friends. You can send files up to 10mb, that is just great!
Twitter have a list of Downloads that you can run through with many more free applications that help you run your twitter better and too it's fullest potential. Add me to your Twitter list and i look forward to chat with you!