Weekly Computer Tip # 305
11 April 2010


I spy with my little eye
(Word 2003-2007)

By now you all know that I think using keyboard shortcuts allows you to use your software much more efficiently. I'm not talking about those that are difficult to remember, but if they make sense (such as P for print, S for Save, C for Copy etcetera) I love 'm! So the one I'm sharing today - on how to preview what you're about to print - might be a bit far-fetched, unless you think of the children's guessing game "I spy with my little eye..."

Here's how:

  1. Press Alt + Ctrl + I to open Print Preview
  2. Press Alt + Ctrl + I to close Print Preview

This mnemonic even works in Dutch where the game is known as "Ik zie, ik zie, wat jij niet ziet, en de kleur is..." which translates to: "I see, I see, what you don't see, and the colour is.." The Germans can also use this "Eselsbrücke" (the German word for mnemonic which literally means donkey bridge) as they say "Ich sehe was, was du nicht siehst, und das ist... The Spanish, however, will need to find a different way of remembering the shortcut as they say "Veo, Veo" (I see, I see) and Alt + Ctrl + V opens the Paste Special dialog box. (Not a bad keyboard shortcut either! ;-)

By the way, if you combine today's tip with tip 273 (tip_273.php) you have a quick way of editing your text in Print Preview, doing your bit to save some trees!

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