I was told that you can convert from .xls to .pdf via Adobe but I’m not sure how to do that. I’d love to know how if you will share.
~ Randy
Randy --
There are several free programs out there that allow you to create .pdf's out of almost any file. Adobe is one of them, but if you don't have other uses for the full version of Adobe, you may want to try one of the free ones. My favorite is CutePDF. You can download it from Download.com. Go to download.com and search CutePDF.
After it's installed, it'll show up in your printer list. Open your doc (in this case your Excel file), go to Print, choose Cute PDF from the printer list and it'll make a .pdf, which you can save to your computer.
Presto! A pdf that can be shared with anyone.
Just for the record, I think I'll define .pdf. It's a file extension that stands for Portable Document File. The operative word here is Portable. PDF's have been around since ancient times to bridge the chasm between people with different applications installed on their computers. So, for example, if Randy creates a document in Excel and sends it to Adrienne, she can only open it if she has Microsoft Excel. This problem is solved by Randy translating the Excel file into a .pdf -- it's now Portable. PDF's can be read by Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free program that's become so universal, it's almost always pre-installed on new computers. If not, you can download it for free from the Adobe website (adobe.com).
We have to thank Adobe for creating a universal reader that saves us all hours of frustration!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Copy/Paste: Your best friend! Ours, too.
Copy/Paste = Quick & Correct
I’m sure I'm getting about as annoying as a scratched CD, repeating and repeating the fact that sites containing content that’s updated frequently do MUCH better in search results, as well as being more appealing to your visitors. To be blunt, this makes you money, because people can
Well, today I’m here to tell you one SUPER EASY way to send site revisions. This past week, one of our customers, Sue, looked at her site and some of the outdated content made her cringe. So, she emailed us a list of the changes she wanted. They were nicely described in the email and it took very little effort on our part to understand each piece of text she wanted changed. Yay Sue.
But, Sue could have made her revisions even MORE efficiently by using the Best Friend of anyone who’s faced a keyboard in the past 20 years, the Copy/Paste feature. Well, unless you’re still using a Smith-Corona…I could never find the Copy/Paste feature on mine.
Here’s how to get site revisions made QUICKLY and CORRECTLY:
Open your website in any browser…Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc.
Select the text you want to change and choose Copy.
Paste it into a Word Processing document (probably Microsoft Word, but you can use almost any word processing software).
Make the revisions right in the doc.
Let us know what page it’s for. Just indicate the page name for each revision. Say something like “On the About Us page, replace the first paragraph with this:
‘Yada and Yada have been in business for 21 years. Even after all that time they’re still speaking to each other….etc, etc.’”
Save the doc and email it to us as an attachment.
When we get that doc, WE use Copy/Paste the changes onto your site. Yikes that’s easy.
This is QUICK because:
- You don’t have to try to describe the place where the revisions belong.
- We don’t have to hunt for the exact spot where they belong.
- We don’t have to type (although we’re all really fast at it :).
The revisions are CORRECT because:
- YOU are the best person to describe your products or services, and the exact details of your offer, sale or other promo.
- Copy/Paste eliminates the need for Spell Checking twice. Once at your computer and once at ours.
But the best reason to use Copy/Paste? It SAVES YOU MONEY. We are very sincere in our goal to keep site maintenance costs as low as possible. And, by sending us content that’s ready to go, we can pop those revisions online MUCH faster, which translates into savings for you.
One note: Don’t spend a lot of time formatting your documents. Websites and Word processing docs don’t speak the same language, so we often need to format manually. You can certainly use formatting like bold, italics, sizes and bullets. But, special characters, text boxes, and other advanced formatting will be lost in translation. We’re glad to insert text to your specifications, but it’s a waste of time for you to format, then have us do so again.
OK, I guess there are two notes: Just so you know, we love to write and are always available to write content for you. And we’re good at it, too. But, for content that only needs a tweak here and there, this is the best method, because it's quick, easy and accurate.
STOP READING right here, if you know how to do the steps above. If you’re unclear about how to use Copy/Paste, attach docs to emails or anything else mentioned above, read on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To copy text from your website to a document:
Open a Word Processing document. This’ll be the program you use to type stuff on your computer, like letters, kids’ term papers, posters, flyers, etc. It can be Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, WordPad or whatever you’re most comfortable with. The overwhelming majority of business computer users have Microsoft Word.
OR, you can find a little text program called WordPad on almost all PC’s. Click on All Programs, choose Accessories and click WordPad.
Go to your website and select the text you want to change. Just swipe it with your mouse.
Click Edit in the top menu of your web browser and choose Copy.
Go back to the doc you just opened. Click Edit in the top menu and choose Paste. Save the document where you know you can find it. (My Documents is a good place).
You can now have change the text to your heart's desire in the doc. It’s MUCH easier to edit than to re-type.
To attach a document to an email:
This process is entirely dependent upon which email program you use. MOST email programs indicate the attachment function with a paper clip icon. Look for the paper clip and click.
This will open a window. Browse to the document you’re attaching and select it.
Questions? That’s why we’re here. For YEARS we’ve been helping businesses sail through their work, so anything we can do to help your relationship with your confuser, er computer, just give us a buzz 262.767.8887. Better yet, ask a question on our blog.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking of website revisions, are you ready to put your Christmas specials online? Well, get going. How many purchases did you lose during the 2009 season to big, wealthy stores? Does the average Christmas shopper even know you sell gifts? Or potential gifts? Unique gifts? Gift cards? Personalized presents to prove your passion?
We really are committed to helping you thrive!
I’m sure I'm getting about as annoying as a scratched CD, repeating and repeating the fact that sites containing content that’s updated frequently do MUCH better in search results, as well as being more appealing to your visitors. To be blunt, this makes you money, because people can
Well, today I’m here to tell you one SUPER EASY way to send site revisions. This past week, one of our customers, Sue, looked at her site and some of the outdated content made her cringe. So, she emailed us a list of the changes she wanted. They were nicely described in the email and it took very little effort on our part to understand each piece of text she wanted changed. Yay Sue.
Here’s how to get site revisions made QUICKLY and CORRECTLY:
Open your website in any browser…Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc.
Select the text you want to change and choose Copy.
Paste it into a Word Processing document (probably Microsoft Word, but you can use almost any word processing software).
Make the revisions right in the doc.
Let us know what page it’s for. Just indicate the page name for each revision. Say something like “On the About Us page, replace the first paragraph with this:
‘Yada and Yada have been in business for 21 years. Even after all that time they’re still speaking to each other….etc, etc.’”
Save the doc and email it to us as an attachment.
When we get that doc, WE use Copy/Paste the changes onto your site. Yikes that’s easy.
This is QUICK because:
- You don’t have to try to describe the place where the revisions belong.
- We don’t have to hunt for the exact spot where they belong.
- We don’t have to type (although we’re all really fast at it :).
The revisions are CORRECT because:
- YOU are the best person to describe your products or services, and the exact details of your offer, sale or other promo.
- Copy/Paste eliminates the need for Spell Checking twice. Once at your computer and once at ours.
But the best reason to use Copy/Paste? It SAVES YOU MONEY. We are very sincere in our goal to keep site maintenance costs as low as possible. And, by sending us content that’s ready to go, we can pop those revisions online MUCH faster, which translates into savings for you.
One note: Don’t spend a lot of time formatting your documents. Websites and Word processing docs don’t speak the same language, so we often need to format manually. You can certainly use formatting like bold, italics, sizes and bullets. But, special characters, text boxes, and other advanced formatting will be lost in translation. We’re glad to insert text to your specifications, but it’s a waste of time for you to format, then have us do so again.
OK, I guess there are two notes: Just so you know, we love to write and are always available to write content for you. And we’re good at it, too. But, for content that only needs a tweak here and there, this is the best method, because it's quick, easy and accurate.
STOP READING right here, if you know how to do the steps above. If you’re unclear about how to use Copy/Paste, attach docs to emails or anything else mentioned above, read on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To copy text from your website to a document:
Open a Word Processing document. This’ll be the program you use to type stuff on your computer, like letters, kids’ term papers, posters, flyers, etc. It can be Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, WordPad or whatever you’re most comfortable with. The overwhelming majority of business computer users have Microsoft Word.
OR, you can find a little text program called WordPad on almost all PC’s. Click on All Programs, choose Accessories and click WordPad.
Go to your website and select the text you want to change. Just swipe it with your mouse.
Click Edit in the top menu of your web browser and choose Copy.
Go back to the doc you just opened. Click Edit in the top menu and choose Paste. Save the document where you know you can find it. (My Documents is a good place).
You can now have change the text to your heart's desire in the doc. It’s MUCH easier to edit than to re-type.
To attach a document to an email:
This process is entirely dependent upon which email program you use. MOST email programs indicate the attachment function with a paper clip icon. Look for the paper clip and click.
This will open a window. Browse to the document you’re attaching and select it.
Questions? That’s why we’re here. For YEARS we’ve been helping businesses sail through their work, so anything we can do to help your relationship with your confuser, er computer, just give us a buzz 262.767.8887. Better yet, ask a question on our blog.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking of website revisions, are you ready to put your Christmas specials online? Well, get going. How many purchases did you lose during the 2009 season to big, wealthy stores? Does the average Christmas shopper even know you sell gifts? Or potential gifts? Unique gifts? Gift cards? Personalized presents to prove your passion?
We really are committed to helping you thrive!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Can't write? Recycle!
Last week we talked about updating your website with new
content so it works better in searches and makes visitors want
to stick around. Here are more suggestions for updating website content.
If you’re like most people, the sight of a blank paper or screen gives you sweaty palms and a rapid heart rate. And, writing about yourself or your business puts panic into really high gear. But, I’m willing to bet a month’s hosting that you are literally SURROUNDED by website content that you haven’t thought of yet. So, no worries. The writing is already done.
Look at your printed stuff:
your brochures. Is all the stuff from your brochures and sell sheets on your site? You probably spent a long time writing that stuff, (or paid someone) so put it to good use.
your ads. Do you have ads running in newspapers or magazines? How about the phone book? Are you advertising for new staff? I am honestly amazed when I see ads in the paper for hiring new employees and there’s not a WORD about employment on the company site. You can be absolutely certain that the first thing job seekers do is jump online to check you out.
your list of products or services. You may be advertising tires, but do your customers know you do oil changes? How many times have you heard “I didn’t know you did that!”? Then they admit they’ve been going to your competition for that service. Yipes.
your employee list. Well? You’ve probably got some interesting, talented or skilled people hanging around your business (you wouldn’t hire them if they weren’t) and they may have interesting back stories. There are also lots of reasons people are qualified . . . do your customers know the unique qualifications of you and your staff?
articles. Many of the businesses I visit have a wall dedicated to framed articles about them that have appeared in newspapers and magazines. Are yours on your site? Even better, create a link to the online version of articles! Links are SOOO easy to create.
Here’s a great example: I get newsletters every week from all the Chambers of Commerce to which BeeLine belongs. Every issue features news items about members. If it’s about YOUR business, put it on your website! What are you waiting for? It’s as easy as sending us an email: “Will you post the Chamber article on our site? Put it on the front page and call it ‘Grand Opening’”.
testimonials. Your customers say nice things about you, don’t they? Testimonials are one of the most powerful convincers of all time. People truly believe what other people say. So, put some of those comments on your website! And, add more as they come in. If they come by email, hit Forward and send them to us. It takes a second and it’s SO effective
And, what about photos? So, you went to a trade show and someone snapped your mug while you were in the booth. Did they email it to you? Then forward it and we’ll get it posted. Or, you got a new sign for your building. Snap a picture for your website. Now. Before it gets old.
Remember, Google and the other search engines love new content. Your site will rank higher in searches and remain more appealing to your customers if there’s fresh stuff to see. So, grab all that new content and let’s get it online.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHRISTMAS!! Even though temps are still in the 80’s and the grass is green, Christmas is coming up fast! Catch those shoppers before they go off to a distant mall and spend all their money!!
~ Barb Emerson, BeeLine Design - www.BeeLineDesign.com
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