How to Use the Critical Path in Microsoft Project
The use of the critical path in Project is a vital part of getting a project to finish on time. This is especially true if any juggling of the tasks, resources, and allocations has to happen once the majority of tasks are in place. It allows...
Using Dependencies, Lag, and Lead in MS Project
Setting up dependencies, or task relationships, is an integral part of working in Project. But many newer users ask, Which relationship should I use, and What are these “lag” and “lead” things about? The choice of dependencies, as well as using the two other items, derives...
How to Create Custom Fields in Microsoft Project
MS Project has a LARGE number of fields set up by default, for almost anything the program can track. But even with all the feedback the design team gets, they can’t anticipate everything a user might need to monitor during a project. So the team built...
Using Conditional Formatting for Sections in Crystal Reports
When we use conditional formatting, we usually think of it in terms of things like making better sales numbers green and lower numbers red. But we can be more subtle than that in Crystal. A common example is where records are incomplete, or where data are...
How to Use Table Joins in Microsoft Access
The use of table relationships in Access allows tables to cooperate in the use of data, but table joins, while they look similar, serve a different purpose. The relationships, which allow coordination while organizing data, nevertheless don’t directly affect, say, the results of a query. Joins...
Using the Cost Tables in Microsoft Project
The Cost Tables feature in Microsoft Project reflects a point which is particular to this program—it is, basically, time-sensitive. Since a business project takes a minimum, usually, of several weeks to run, the project must take time into account. And, no pun intended on this phrase,...
How to Colorize a Black and White Photo in Photoshop
In this tutorial, you will learn how to colorize a black and white photo in Photoshop. Want to learn more about Photoshop? Visit our Photoshop Training Classes page to enroll in one of our live, instructor-led Photoshop classes. You'll learn about Photoshop from an experienced instructor...
Using the Three Normal Forms in Microsoft Access
One of the more abstruse points of procedure in Access involves the three so-called normal forms. What, exactly, are they? If you think “guidelines”, or “protocols”, you’d be in the ballpark. When building a database, especially a relational database, there are some “streamlinings” which allow it...
QlikView Keyboard Shortcuts
SkillForge SkillSheet QlikView Keyboard Shortcuts Click here to download the PDF version.   File Menu Command Shortcuts Press… For… Ctrl+N Equivalent to New on the File menu. Ctrl+O Equivalent to Open... on the File menu. Ctrl+Shift+O Equivalent to Open in Server... on the File menu. Ctrl+S Equivalent...
How to Import and Export Data in Access
The good news is, the import and export processes in Access—and in general—are two sides of the same coin. And there really isn’t any bad news, other than making sure the data are set up in a way that Access can understand—namely, something row-and-column-ish when importing....
Using Photoshop — More Tips, Tricks, and Hints
Figured I’d mention a few other techniques which might be of use. Photoshop is almost a gold mine of cool tip after cool tip; I’d never deny it takes some practice to become comfortable with the program, so here’re some more. Tip 4. Always be aware...
Using Photoshop — Tips, Tricks, and Hints
Photoshop has been around for a while, and it’s a fairly sophisticated program, but there are some tips one can learn to work a little more efficiently no matter what your level of expertise. 1. A lot of the work we do in Photoshop depends on...
Microsoft Project Keyboard Shortcuts
SkillForge SkillSheet Microsoft Project 2010/13/16 Keyboard Shortcuts Click here to download the PDF version.   Navigate Views and Windows In order to… Press Activate the Control menu ALT+SPACEBAR Activate the entry bar to edit text in a field F2 Activate the menu bar F10 or ALT Activate...
Creating Themes in Microsoft PowerPoint
When preparing business presentations using PowerPoint, one needs to make really sure the show has a coherent, consistent appearance. Themes are an easy way to do this. Because the brain is wired to start understanding and working with pictures from infancy, keeping the graphic elements (backgrounds,...
Using Specified-Order Grouping in Crystal Reports
As we get into some of the more subtle ways to use grouping in Crystal Reports, we sometimes find that either groups of groups, or arranging them in a hierarchy, can improve the usefulness of the report. One key to a good report is to organize...
Conditionally Formatting Multiple Sections in Crystal Reports
Alright, I admit it—this item on conditionally formatting sections has a little nostalgia for me, but it’s useful nostalgia. If you run a web search for “greenbar paper” you’ll see where this is going. The reason is a sound one, though. The horizontal stripes, sometimes called...
Creating Report Alerts in Crystal Reports
In Crystal Reports, a feature called Report Alerts has become more important the last few years. It has to do with the fact that there are at least occasional exceptions to many kinds of report data. “Problems or conditions outside the norm” is a good way...
Creating and Using Parameter Fields in Crystal Reports
When setting up layouts in Crystal Reports, the parameter field can be a tremendously helpful feature. As with a parameter query in Microsoft Access, it gives the report a significant degree of flexibility. The report’s basic structure and purpose are the same, but the ability to...
Creating a Cross-Reference in Microsoft Word
The process of setting up a cross-reference in Word, frankly, can take a little time to get comfortable with. So don’t worry if you need a couple run-throughs. The recipe goes like this: First, create a bookmark (there are a couple other things you can use,...
Creating Cost Resources in Microsoft Project
There’s a quirky thing about Microsoft Project, having to do with resources—more specifically, Cost resources. The other two types, Work and Material, are pretty easy to understand and use, but Cost takes a little bit of extra work to make do its thing. A Work resource...