Tuesday’s writing tip

Sometimes, the easiest and simplest tips can be the most valuable. For example, many authors fail to take advantage of several of important keyboard and mouse tips built into Microsoft Word. Keyboard shortcuts, of course, involve holding down combinations of the Ctrl, Alt, and Shift key while pressing another character or using the mouse.

The following are some of my most popular word processing tips that authors are frequently pleased to discover:

• CTRL+Mouse click. This selects a sentence for copying, cutting, or dragging to a new location.
• Triple-Click. Clicking three times with the mouse button anywhere in a paragraph selects the paragraph.
• Double-clicking. Double-clicking a word selects the word, plus the space to the right.
• CTRL+X. Cut previously selected text.
• CTRL+V. Paste selected text.
• CTRL+Space. Inserts a non-breaking space. Non-breaking spaces keep the names of cities and states, first and last names, or months, days, and years, together on one line.
• CTRL+F1. Hide a previously opened task pane, providing more space to view your work.
• ALT+CTRL+C. Inserts a copyright symbol.
• ALT+CTRL+R. Inserts registered symbol.
• ALT+CTR:+T. Inserts a trademark symbol.