Tip of the Week Blog
May 2007, Week 3 Merging Excel Data Source Into Word For Staff... Getting the formatting right when you use an Excel data source for mail merge can be extremely frustrating. There are ways to correct the formatting by using switches in the field codes, but it can be a time-consuming and frustrating exercise. Fortunately, there is an easy way to circumvent the use of switches and still have your data appear as you would like it. 1. With the main document open, click the Tools menu 2. Select Options. 3. On the General tab, select Confirm Conversion at Open 4. Click OK When you select an alternate data source such as Excel, it will ask you to choose the type of data source. When presented with the choice, select MS Excel Files via DDE. When you merge the document with the data source, the formatting from the Excel data source will be retained. Ethics: Which Half Are You In? In the past several years, many law firms and paralegal associations alike have come to the realization that all employees in a law firm setting are in need of ethics training just like the attorneys that work for them.
Reprinted with permission from The Payton Company. To be continued in the following weeks.... | ||||||||||||||||||||||
March 2007, Week 2 5 Things That Can Mess Up Your Computer For Staff... Sometimes, users create problems for their computers and for the network. Every law firm depends on their computers to keep the documents flowing and business running. Some common errors that are preventable problems: 1. Plug into the wall without surge protection. This one actually can physically destroy your computer equipment, as well as the data. Something as simple as turning on an appliance that is plugged into the same outlet can cause a surge. If you don't have a surge protector now, go down to your local discount store and buy one - TODAY. It's well worth the money spent. To Be Continued next week... Getting Started with E-Learning Getting started with e-learning can have many benefits for your firm - from a cost, time and learning perspective. As an employer, you now have the ability to influence more than the formal learning process. Thanks to e-learning, you can influence and tailor training the meet the needs of your biggest asset - your human capital. Too many partners in too many firms are so hungry to bring in new business that they lose objectivity during the client-intake process. If the intake protocols lack rigor and discipline, it is too easy for "unworthy clients" to get in the door. Once retained, the firm may have difficulty detaching itself from the client. Too often, the firm doesn't recognize the problem until after the client has run up a big tab and the originating partner is loath to cut bait and move on. According to the Attorneys' Liability Assurance Society, "The first line of defense against unworthy clients is a sound business intake system." More about that in the following weeks - or you can read the entire article now.
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