JD Sartaintech journalist, PCWorld
JD Sartain is a technology journalist from Boston. She writes for PCWorld, Network World, CIO, & several other tech magazines.
Microsoft Word reads to you: How to use the Speak and Read Aloud commands
Can Microsoft Word read to you? Yes, it can. The Speak feature was incorporated into Microsoft Office back in version 2003. Here's how it works.
Alternatives for Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop and more
Adobe's move to subscriptions has left some users looking for options. Here are some good alternative programs, and more information on why subscriptions are here to stay.
Outlook organization tips: 5 ways to tame the email pile
These helpful tips can help you cut through inbox clutter and organize Outlook.
Meet DATEDIF(), Excel’s secret Date & Time function that's still handy
DATEDIF(), which means Date + Dif, is a compatibility function left over from Lotus 1-2-3 that Microsoft adopted in Excel version 2000. It's fallen off current Excel menus, but you can still use it. Here's how.
How to edit PDFs in Microsoft Word
For light PDF users, everything you need is in a tool you use every day.
6 ways to manage emails and control spam in Outlook
Blocking senders, setting rules, and other ways to keep the email pile safe as well as sane.
Microsoft Excel: Why your spreadsheet is so slow
When Microsoft Excel complains it "cannot complete this task with available resources," or it's "Out of memory," here's what to do.
Excel: How to create simple and dependent drop-down lists
Drop-down lists in Excel let you create a list of valid choices that you can select for a given field. We'll show you how to use tables, named ranges, formulas, data validation, and table styles.
10 pro tips for creating Excel macros
Excel macros save you time and headaches by automating repetitive tasks, and you don’t have to be a programmer to write one. Use these tips to make macro recording a cinch.
Photoshop tips to boost your skills: Scratch Disk, Image Fill, Masks, Brushes, Vignettes
These Photoshop tips start with managing your Scratch Disk, then dive right into Content-Aware Fill, Clipping Mask, Brushes, and Vignettes.
Excel formulas: The most popular functions and tools, with examples
Excel has over 475 formulas in its Functions Library, but we've selected the most popular, from date and time functions to mathematics and simple data manipulation.
Word macros: Four examples to automate your documents
Use these step-by-instructions on Word macros to turn complex procedures into one-click wonders.
How to create and customize tables in Microsoft Word
Wrangle unruly text into easy-to-read formats using Word 2013's improved tables features.
Excel percentage formulas: Percentage of total, percent increase or decrease, sales tax and more
Excel percentage formulas can get you through problems large and small every day. We'll walk through several examples, including turning fractions to percentages, and calculating percentage of total, increase, or decrease.
How to get special characters using Alt key codes or the Word Symbols library
Alt key codes give you access to hundreds of special ASCII characters, from accent marks to tiny icons. We show you how to use the Alt codes and also Word's Symbol library.
Articles by JD Sartain
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