Research words, concepts, and even companies right inside of Word

You know that Microsoft Word contains a dictionary, because you've no doubt used it to spellcheck your documents. But did you know you can access full definitions, a thesaurus, online research, and even company profiles - often without leaving Word?

This works both in Word 2007 and Word 2010. Just go to the Review tab and click the Research button:

Now look at the Research pane that appears. You can choose from a variety of services, from simple definitions to translations:

Looking for a different word for productivity? Select the thesaurus:

Need more than just a definition, use Bing or one of the other built-in research services pull up more in-depth encyclopedia-style details:

Or, if you want to find information on a company you're doing business with, you can quickly view its company profile right alongside the document you're working on. If any of the information appears cut off, simply grab the left edge of the pane and expand it until everything is readable.

Depending on how you work, you can leave it open all of the time to quickly look up information or click the xat the top right corner and, poof, it's gone - leaving you to focus on your document until the next time you need it.

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Top 10 Google Chrome Extensions for Productivity

Google is supporting extensions in its latest beta version of Chrome. Here is a list of top 10 Google Chrome extensions for productivity.

1. AdThwart

AdThwart is one of the most popular Google Chrome extensions. It helps you to avoid a lot of annoying and invasive ads. Maybe this is the best way to make your browsing experience less taxing. AdThwart offers a lot of filters that includes continuously updated Easy List.

2. StockTwits

Those who use Google Chrome would love to use Twitter as well. The add-on displays the updated tweets posted by people followed as an animated ticker format. The Google Chrome extension retrieves and parses the information from Twitter by jquery.

3. Google calender checker

Google calender checker offers you one click access to your calender. It supports multiple calendars, and maybe some more details on the event when clicking on the icon. In case you have an call scheduled, it would be good to just click on the icon to see the dialed number rather than having open up a new calendar tab, and then go to the event details.

4. TwitterWatch

TwitterWatch is a simple tool that allows you to watch hot Twitter keywords with the Google Chrome extension . You just need to enter a keyword, press search and you are done. 

5. Facebook

All the Facebook buffs using Chrome might resort to this Google Chrome extension. It's a very easy way to access your Facebook account, update status and see what your friend says. 

6. Google Voice

It adds a button to the toolbar that displays a lot of unread messages in the Google Voice Inbox. It gives an audible alert on new messages. With it phone numbers on web sites callable via Google Voice by just clicking on them. In case, the number doesn't turn into any web site you can select the text with your mouse and click to call popup will be displayed automatically.

 

7. Google Wave Notifier

This could be a highly useful Google Chrome extension for users who use Google Wave Notifier. The number of unread waves in your Google Wave account will be displayed. What's more, you can directly access a specific wave from the popup of the extension. 

 

8. FastestChrome - Browse Faster

FastestFox extension is now available for Chrome, which is one of the most popular Firefox add-on. With browser faster you can save much time by speeding up repetitive tasks, get auto loading of next page and improved search and so on. It enhances your productivity to the degree. 

9. RapidShare DownloadHelper

This Google Chrome extension allows you to stay on site due to time limitations.

10. html2pdf

With html2pdf extension you can easily generate PDF from any webpage with just a single press. This Google Chrome extension will send the page to an external PDF converter service that will generate a PDF output for you.

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Create Search Folders in Outlook 2010

If you find yourself scouring your Inbox and various Outlook folders for specific types of mails, there is an easier way. You can create Search Folders for all sorts of common tasks, and then they'll just be a click away!
Consider these ideas for useful Search Folders:

• All mails flagged for follow up
• All mails from your boss
• All mails over 1000 KB (which are filling up your mail server)
• All mails with attachments

To get started, just go to the Folder tab and click the New Search Folder button:

This opens a dialog box with a number of popular choices ready to configure and create:

To create a folder that keeps tabs on all mails from specific people, just click Choose and select the person or persons you want to track (might as well put your boss' boss in there too!).
If you want to go off the beaten path, select Create a custom Search Folder at the bottom:

Name it and then click the Criteria button:

This will open up several tabs packed with Search Folder possibilities:

With all of these choices, you can craft very specific sets of criteria to seek out and keep track of only your most valuable mails. For instance, all mails that mention the term "budget" and contain attachments from the last 90 days.
When you're done creating Search Folders, look for them in the Search Folders section at the bottom of your Mailbox in the left pane of Outlook. Right click any Search Folders that you plan to check at least once a day and select Show in Favorites.
It's amazing how much time this feature can save you.

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Filter or remove duplicates from your Excel data

If you're wading through your Excel data and find a lot of redundant entries, you have two options to narrow your focus. You can filter and hide any duplicate rows, or just delete any repeated entries completely. Best of all, these work in both Excel 2007 and Excel 2010.

First, let's look at the less destructive path. In most cases, you want your data intact - you just want to home in on the unique values in your worksheet. Select the columns you want to filter, go to the Data tab, and click the Advanced button in the Sort & Filter section:

Now check Unique records only and, if you like, select a destination to copy your results:

Whether you copy or filter in place, any duplicate records will be hidden - all you need to do is select the full sheet , right-click, and select Unhide to restore it.

Now if you want duplicate data removed entirely, look in the next section on the Data tab for Remove Duplicates:

This opens up a dialog box that lets you choose which columns to include. Pick your targets and permanently delete any redundant data:

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