set up your Quick Access Toolbar

I have taught Chemistry for 102 years and, for several decades of that time, when making a new resource I have clicked on a button at the top of the screen to go to a new menu, then clicked on another button then finally clicked on yet another button to get the thing I want.Continue reading “set up your Quick Access Toolbar”

create a macro and add code to it

If you have the code for somebody’s macro and want to add the macro to your own list of macros do this: 1.       Click on Developer 2.       Click Macros 3.       Select the Normal template 4.       In the Macro Name box call the macro BigAl or whatever you want to call it (make sure the nameContinue reading “create a macro and add code to it”

replace Cambria Math (sic) font

If you use the maths equations in Insert > Equation you get font which is in Cambria Math (sic) font which can’t be changed in the usual way. Running this macro over it will change it to Arial 11. It will also change the font of any other equation in the document. If you changeContinue reading “replace Cambria Math (sic) font”

add a bevelled 3D rectangle

On my sheets for students I like to add my top tips in a golden-yellow shape that stands out from the paper: Anything in the golden 3D rectangle stands out to the student, but it is also separate from the Chemistry so doesn’t distract from it. Making a rectangle then adding the bevelling requires aContinue reading “add a bevelled 3D rectangle”

write the mass number above the atomic number

I used to write the mass number as a superscript then add a text box to get the atomic number. But the text box goes walkies and isn’t very pretty. Then my colleague in the Physics Department at Southampton Exam Factory, Mrs Eda Lunar, showed me how to write a perfect symbol. Go to theContinue reading “write the mass number above the atomic number”

use AutoCorrect to format formulae as you write

One day a few years ago I was typing Cr2O72- and was wearily about to add the subscripts and superscripts. I thought to myself, ‘Why doesn’t Word do predictive text like my phone? If I start typing Cr2 there are not many ways I am going to complete it.’ Then I had the only OriginalContinue reading “use AutoCorrect to format formulae as you write”

convert a pdf to a Word document

I teach OCR at A level and like to use AQA and Edexcel exam questions. I convert the exam papers to Word and then I can change AQA’s halogenoalkanes to haloalkanes and Edexcel’s ionization energy to ionisation energy. 1.Open Word in a window and have a list of pdfs in a different window: 2. SelectContinue reading “convert a pdf to a Word document”