Because there are several types of validation rules you can apply to your dataset, let’s walk through each one individually so you can pick the one that fits best.

Validate Text

With the text validation feature in Google Sheets, you can check for entries that contain, don’t contain, or are the same as specific text. You can also validate the cell for an email address or URL.

For example, we’ll validate the text in our cell to make sure it contains “ID” for our product numbers.

Select the cell or range and use Data > Data validation to open the sidebar and pick Add rule.

Apply to range: Confirm the cell or range and use the icon on the right to add another cell range. Note: As shown below, you should use the sheet (tab) name with the cell reference or data range. Our sheet name is Dates.

Criteria: Pick the text option you want to use and enter the text in the field beneath. For our example, we choose “Text contains” and enter “ID.”

Advanced options: To show and enter help text or choose a warning or rejection for invalid data, expand Advanced options, and mark the ones you want to use.

Select Done to apply the rule. You can then test your data validation rule. Input a valid entry and then an invalid entry to make sure the rule works as you expect.

Validate Dates

For validating dates in Google Sheets, you have several options. You can check for a date on, after, before, or between as well as a valid date.

As an example, you may want to confirm that the dates entered fall after a particular date, such as January 1, 2023, for your company’s 2023 financials.

Select the cell or range and use Data > Data validation to open the sidebar and pick Add rule.

Apply to range: Confirm the cell or range and optionally add another.

Criteria: Pick the date option you want to use the drop-down menu or text field to pick or enter the corresponding date. For our example, we pick “Date is after,” choose “exact date,” and enter “1/1/23” in the field beneath.

Advanced options: Like the text validation above, you can expand this section to add help text and pick an invalid input action.

Select Done when you finish. You can then test your date validation by entering a valid and invalid date per your rule.

Validate Numbers

If you want to validate numbers in Sheets, you can set up a rule that checks for those greater than, less than, equal to, between, and more.

For this example, we want to confirm that the number entered is between 1 and 17 for parents entering their minor child’s age.

Select the cell or range, pick Data > Data validation, and choose Add rule.

Apply to range: Confirm the cell or range and optionally add another.

Criteria: Pick the date option you want to use and enter the text in the field beneath. For our example, we pick “Is between” and enter “1” in the first field and “17” in the second.

Advanced options: Like the above validations, expand this section to add help text and pick an invalid data action.

Select Done to apply the rule. Test your number validation rule by entering both a correct and incorrect number.

Create a Drop-Down List

Drop-down lists are another validation type you can use in Sheets. What’s different about these is that you can insert a drop-down list using the Insert or the Data menu. Either way, you’ll use the Data Validation sidebar to set up the list of items.

Here, we’ll set up a drop-down list to choose a menu item.

Do one of the following to add a drop-down list:

• Select the cell and pick Insert > Dropdown in the menu. The sidebar will open.
• Right-click the cell and pick Dropdown.
• Select the cell, pick Data > Data validation, and choose Dropdown in the Criteria menu in the sidebar.

Enter your list items in the Option 1 and Option 2 fields and use the Add another item button to include more. You can also reorder the items using the grid icons on the left of each.

Choose a color for each list item in the color palette drop-down box on the left.

Advanced options: Expand this section to show help text, choose an invalid data action, and pick the display style for the list.

Select Done when you finish, and you’ll see your drop-down list ready to go.

Insert a Checkbox

Similar to the drop-down list validation above, you can add a checkbox to a cell using one of two options and customize the values in the Data Validation sidebar.

Here, we’ll add checkboxes to add dishes to our meals.

• Select the cell and pick Insert > Checkbox in the menu. The sidebar will open.
• Select the cell, pick Data > Data validation, and choose Checkbox in the Criteria menu in the sidebar.

To use specific values for the checked and unchecked box statuses, mark the option Use custom cell values and enter those you want to use. For our example, we enter “Yes” and “No.”

Advanced options: Expand this section to show help text and choose an invalid input action.

Select Done to apply the checkbox rule to the cell or range of cells.

Use a Custom Formula

One more way to use data validation is with a custom formula in Google Sheets. This is a good option when none of the above preset rules apply. You can do things like make sure the cell contains text or limit the number of characters in the cell.

As an example, we’ll set up the validation rule to check for text in the cell. If a number or date is entered, this invokes the invalid data action.

Select the cell or range and pick Data > Data validation.

Apply to range: Confirm the cell or range and optionally add another.

Criteria: Pick “Custom formula is” and enter the formula in the field beneath. Using our example, we enter the formula “=ISTEXT(A2)” to check that cell A2 contains text.

Advanced options: Expand this section to enter help text and choose an invalid data action. For our example, we’ll mark the option to show help text and enter a custom message to display along with rejecting the input.

Select Done to apply the rule. Then, give your new validation rule a test by entering both valid and invalid data to make sure the formula works as expected. In the screenshot below, you can see our message for an invalid entry.

Edit or Remove Data Validation

If after you set up a data validation rule, you want to change it or simply remove it, both are easy to do.

Select the cell or range containing the validation and choose Data > Data validation in the menu to open the sidebar.

Then, do one of the following:

• To edit a rule, select it, make your changes, and choose Done to save it.
• To remove a rule, hover your cursor over it and select the Delete (trash can) icon.
• To remove every rule in the list, use the Remove all button.

With the data validation feature in Google Sheets, you can make sure your data is entered correctly. Whether you pop up a warning message or provide drop-down list options, you can save yourself the aggravation of checking for invalid data later.

If you also use Microsoft applications, look at how to create a drop-down list in Excel too.

The post How to Use Data Validation in Google Sheets first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

You can’t dial a code on your phone because your phone has a minor glitch, your device’s secondary SIM is causing the problem, a malicious app on your phone, your phone’s network settings are incorrect, and more. Luckily, you have a few ways to fix that problem and use your codes without issues. We’ll show you what those fixes are.

1. Add a Comma at the End of Your Code

One quick way to fix your issue is to suffix the code you want to dial with a comma. This comma tells your phone to ignore errors and continue executing your code. You can use this tip with any code you want to dial on your phone.

For example, if you want to dial *123#, you’d type *123#, (note the comma at the end). This dials your code, ignoring any errors that may appear.

2. Enable and Disable Your Phone’s Airplane Mode

Another way to fix your code issue is to turn on and back off your phone’s airplane mode. Enabling the mode turns off all network connections on your phone, and disabling the mode restores those connections. This helps fix connectivity issues on your phone.

1. Pull down twice from the top of your phone’s screen.
2. Select Airplane mode in the open menu to turn on your phone’s flight mode.

3. Wait for 10 seconds.
4. Turn the mode off by tapping Airplane mode in the same menu.
5. Dial your code.

3. Restart Your Android Phone

If toggling on and back off airplane mode didn’t fix your issue, give your Android device a reboot and see if that resolves your problem. Doing so fixes many minor glitches with your device, possibly resolving your code dial error.

1. Press and hold down the Power button on your phone.
2. Select Restart in the menu to turn off and back on your phone.

3. Dial your code when your phone turns on.

4. Turn Off the Secondary SIM on Your Dual SIM Phone

If your Android phone offers multiple SIM slots, disable the secondary SIM and see if that resolves your issue. This is because your secondary SIM may interfere with your primary SIM, causing your MMI code problem.

1. Go to Settings on your Android phone.
2. Select Mobile network in Settings.
3. Choose your secondary SIM on the open page.
4. Turn off the Enable option.

5. Quit Settings and dial your code.

5. Manually Select Your Service Provider on Your Mobile Phone

Sometimes, your phone has trouble connecting to the appropriate network provider, preventing you from dialing your codes. In this case, manually set the correct carrier on your phone to resolve your issue.

1. Access Settings on your phone.
2. Select Mobile network in Settings.
3. Choose your SIM card on the list.
4. Select Carrier on the following screen.
5. Turn off the Auto select option.

6. Select your carrier from the network operators list.
7. Dial your code.

6. Use Safe Mode on Your Android Phone

Like Microsoft’s Windows operating system, Android offers a safe mode to isolate your phone’s third-party tools. This lets you turn on your phone where your third-party apps aren’t loaded, allowing you to verify if those items are causing your problem.

You can use this mode when you have trouble dialing codes on your device.

1. Press and hold down the Power button on your phone.
2. Tap and hold on Power off in the open menu.
3. Select OK in the prompt to boot your phone in safe mode.

4. Dial your code when your phone is in safe mode.

If your code dials successfully in safe mode, one or more of your installed apps are the culprit. In this case, remove those apps from your phone to resolve your issue.

1. Open Settings on your phone.
2. Select Apps > App management in Settings.
3. Find and tap the suspicious app on the list.
4. Select Uninstall to remove the app.

5. Choose OK in the prompt.

7. Reset Network Settings on Your Phone

Your Android phone allows you to customize various network settings. If you or someone else has incorrectly configured an option, that may be why you can’t dial codes on your phone.

In this case, you can reset your phone’s network settings to resolve your issue. Doing so erases your custom network configuration and lets you set up those settings from scratch.

1. Open Settings on your phone.
2. Select System settings > Back up and reset > Reset phone in Settings.
3. Choose Reset network settings.

4. Dial your code when you’ve reset the settings.

8. Replace Your Physically Damaged SIM Card

If nothing else works, your last resort is to replace your current SIM card with a new one. This is because your current SIM card may be physically damaged, preventing you from dialing codes on your phone. The above methods not working indicates your SIM card is the culprit.

You can contact your cellular provider and request a new SIM card. Your new card should work fine and let you dial your codes without errors.

Troubleshooting an Invalid MMI Code Error on Android

Android’s “Connection problem or invalid MMI code” error prevents you from dialing your network-specific codes and getting relevant information. If the issue persists even after multiple attempts to run your code, use the fixes outlined above and dial your codes without issues.

The post 8 Ways to Fix a “Connection problem or invalid MMI code” Error on Android first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Close and Relaunch Your Web Browser

The first fix to apply when your cursor disappears on Google Docs is to quit and re-open your web browser. This helps resolve minor glitches with your browser, some of which may be causing your cursor problem.

Make sure you’ve saved your unsaved work before quitting your browser.

You can restart your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or another browser by selecting X in the browser’s top-right corner. Then, open your PC’s Start menu, find your browser, and select it in the search results. If a browser refuses to quit, use the Task Manager to force-close your browser.

Prevent Windows From Hiding Your Cursor When You’re Typing

Windows offers an option that allows you to hide your cursor when you’re typing something on your computer. You or someone else may have enabled this option, causing the cursor to disappear while typing on Google Docs.

In this case, turn off that option, and your issue should be resolved.

1. Open the Start menu, find Control Panel, and select the item with that name.
2. Choose Hardware and Sound in Control Panel.
3. Select Mouse in the Devices and Printers section.
4. Open the Pointer Options tab.
5. Disable the Hide pointer while typing option.

6. Select Apply followed by OK at the bottom.

Turn Off Hardware Acceleration in Your Web Browser

The hardware acceleration feature enhances your web browser’s performance, but sometimes, this feature causes issues. This option being enabled may be the reason your cursor disappears on Google Docs.

In this case, turn off the feature and see if that resolves your cursor issue.

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome, select the three dots in the top-right corner, and choose Settings to access Chrome settings.
2. Select System in the left sidebar.
3. Turn off Use hardware acceleration when available on the right.

4. Close and relaunch your web browser.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Launch Firefox, select the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner, and choose Settings.
2. Select General in the left sidebar and scroll down to the Performance section on the right.
3. Turn off the Use recommended performance settings option.
4. Disable the Use hardware acceleration when available option.

5. Quit and re-open your browser.

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge, select the three dots in the top-right corner, and choose Settings.
2. Select System and performance in the left sidebar.
3. Turn off Use hardware acceleration when available on the right.

4. Close and re-open your browser.

Update Your Web Browser

If your web browser version is outdated, that may be why you have issues with the sites in your browser. Outdated browsers often have many bugs, which you can fix by updating your browser to the latest version.

Google Chrome

1. Select the three dots in Chrome’s top-right corner and choose Help > About Google Chrome.

2. Wait for Chrome to find and install the latest updates.
3. Restart Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Select the three horizontal lines in Firefox’s top-right corner and choose Help > About Firefox.

2. Allow the browser to check for and install the available updates.
3. Restart your browser.

Microsoft Edge

1. Choose the three dots in Edge’s top-right corner and select Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge.

2. Wait for Edge to find and install the latest updates.
3. Close and re-open your browser.

Change Your Cursor’s Color on Windows

If your cursor remains invisible on Google Docs, change the cursor’s color so you can easily spot it on your screen. Note that this is a universal change, meaning you’ll see your cursor’s new color everywhere on your system and not just on Google Docs.

On Windows 11

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Select Accessibility in the left sidebar.
3. Choose Mouse pointer and touch on the right.
4. Select Black, Inverted, or Custom. If you select Custom, choose your preferred cursor color.

On Windows 10

1. Launch Settings using Windows + I.
2. Select Ease of Access in Settings.
3. Choose Mouse pointer in the left sidebar.
4. Select Black, Inverted, or Custom on the right pane. If you choose Custom, select the custom color for your cursor.

Change Your Google Docs Document’s Page Background Color

One reason you can’t see your cursor on Google Docs is that both the Google Docs page background color and the cursor color are the same. In this case, if you don’t wish to change your cursor’s color, you can switch to a different page color on Google Docs to ensure your cursor remains visible.

1. Launch your Google Docs document.
2. Select File > Page setup from the menu bar.
3. Choose Page color and select your preferred color.

4. Select OK to apply your changes.

If you’ve changed your page’s color to black and your document’s text has become invisible, change your font color to see your text again.

Bring Back Your Disappeared Cursor on Google Docs

There are various reasons for your cursor errors when you’re working with Google Docs. You can try basic fixes like restarting your web browser to potentially fix your problem. If that doesn’t work, you have a few other ways to resolve your issue.

The post How to Fix Mouse Cursor Disappearing on Google Docs first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Standard Portrait Page Sizes

Before you begin, you should have an idea of the size you want to use for your vertical slides. Unlike Microsoft PowerPoint, you won’t see a list of portrait orientation options.

Here are some common paper sizes you might consider.

• Letter or Standard: 8.5 by 11 inches
• Legal: 8.5 by 14 inches
• Tabloid or Ledger: 11 by 17 inches

Common A-Series Paper Sizes

Note that you can round up the following A-series paper sizes if you like.

• A3: 11.69 by 16.54 inches
• A4: 8.26 by 11.69 inches
• A5: 5.83 by 8.26 inches

How to Make Google Slides Vertical

You can change the orientation for your presentation easily in Google Slides on the web. As of this writing, you don’t have this ability in the Google Slides mobile app.

Additionally, when you adjust the orientation, this changes all slides in the presentation by default. You cannot use different orientations for individual slides.

1. Visit Google Slides, open your presentation, open the File menu, and pick Page setup.

2. In the drop-down menu, choose Custom.

3. Enter the dimensions you want to use for the slide size and pick the measurement to the right. You can choose Inches, Centimeters, Points, or Pixels. Again, you can use the paper sizes listed above or your custom sizes.

4. Select Apply.

You’ll then see the slides in your presentation displayed vertically instead of horizontally. If you already have content on the slides, you may need to adjust your items to accommodate the vertical layout.

How to Make Google Slides Horizontal Again

If after you change the orientation in Google Slides, you decide that landscape slides would work better, you can revert it just as easily.

Select File > Page setup from the menu. In the drop-down box, choose one of the standard horizontal sizes or use the Custom option to enter your dimensions. Then, select Apply.

Like changing the orientation to vertical, you may then want to adjust your elements for the horizontal slide view.

Which View Is Good for You?

Whether you’re creating a Google Slides presentation for a newsletter, poster, infographic, or one that looks good on mobile devices, you can change the orientation in just a few steps.

Now that you know how to make Google Slides vertical, take a look at our tutorial for how to hide and unhide slides too.

The post How to Make Google Slides Orientation (to Vertical and Back) first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Convert a Number to Text: TEXT

Starting with a simple way to convert a number to text using a specified format is the TEXT function. You can use it for a date, time, percentage, currency, or similar number.

The syntax for the formula is TEXT(number, format), where you can use the exact number or a cell reference for the first argument. Depending on the format you want to use, you can visit the Google Docs Editors Help page for the list of over a dozen options for the second argument.

As an example, we’ll format the time 22:30 in a 12-hour format with AM or PM and as text using this formula:

=TEXT(“22:30”,”hh:mm AM/PM”)

For another example, we’ll format the number in cell A1 as text with a percent sign using this formula:

=TEXT(A1,”0%”)

Combine Text: CONCATENATE

If you want to join two strings of text, you can use the CONCATENATE function. You may have a first name and last name, city and state, or similar that you want to combine into a single cell.

The syntax is CONCATENATE(string1, string2,…), where you can use the text or cell references for the arguments.

In this example, we’ll combine the text in cells A1 through D1 into a single string with this formula:

=CONCATENATE(A1:D1)

If you want to place a space between the words, you can insert a blank space within quotation marks between each cell reference using this formula:

=CONCATENATE(A1,” “,B1,” “,C1,” “,D1)

For another example, we’ll combine the text “First name: ” with the text in cell A1 with this formula:

=CONCATENATE(“First name: “,A1)

Combine Text With a Delimiter: TEXTJOIN

The TEXTJOIN function is similar to CONCATENATE for combining text. The difference is that you can use a delimiter (separator) and combine arrays with TEXTJOIN.

The syntax is TEXTJOIN(delimiter, empty, text1, text2,…). For the delimiter argument, place the space, comma, or other delimiter in quotes and for the empty argument, use True to exclude empty cells or False to include them.

As an example, we’ll join the text in the cell range A1 through C2 with a space as the delimiter and TRUE to ignore the empty cell (A2). Here’s the formula:

=TEXTJOIN(” “,TRUE,A1:C2)

For another example, we’ll combine the text in cells A1 through A10 with a comma as the delimiter and FALSE to include the empty cells (A4 through A8) so you can see how the result looks. Here’s the formula:

=TEXTJOIN(“,”,FALSE,A1:A10)

Tip: If you want to combine numbers, you can use the JOIN function.

Separate Text: SPLIT

Maybe you want to do the opposite of the above and separate text rather than combine it. For this, you can use the SPLIT function.

The syntax is SPLIT(text, delimiter, split_by, empty). Use the split_by argument with True (default) to separate the text around each character in the delimiter, otherwise use False. Use the empty argument with True (default) to treat consecutive delimiters as one, otherwise use False.

Here, we’ll split the text in cell A1 using a space as the delimiter and the defaults for the other arguments with this formula:

=SPLIT(A1,” “)

For another example, we’ll split the text in cell A1 using “t” as the delimiter. This removes the “t” like it removes the space delimiter above and leaves the rest of the text. Here’s the formula:

=SPLIT(A1,”t”)

Now, if we add FALSE as the split_by argument, this formula separates the text only at the “t[space]” mark:

=SPLIT(A1,”t “,FALSE)

Compare Text: EXACT

Are you working on comparing data in your sheet? Using the EXACT function, you can compare two strings of text and receive a simple True or False result for whether they match or not.

The syntax is EXACT(text1, text2), where you can use text or cell references for the arguments.

As an example, we’ll compare the two text strings in cells A1 and B1 with this formula:

=EXACT(A1,B1)

For another example, we’ll compare the text in cell A1 with “Google” using this formula:

=EXACT(A1,”Google”)

Change Text: REPLACE and SUBSTITUTE

While you can use the Find and Replace feature in Google Sheets, you may need to be more specific than the feature allows. For instance, you might want to change a letter in a particular spot or only a certain instance of text in a string. In this case, you can use either REPLACE or SUBSTITUTE.

Although similar, each function works slightly differently, so you can use whichever meets your needs best.

The syntax for each is REPLACE(text, position, length, new) and SUBSTITUTE(text, search_for, replace_with, occurrence). Let’s walk through a couple of examples and how to use the arguments.

REPLACE

Here, we want to replace “William H Brown” with “Bill Brown,” so we’ll use the REPLACE function and this formula:

=REPLACE(A1,1,9,”Bill”)

To break down the formula, A1 is the cell with the text, 1 is the starting position to replace, 9 is the number of characters to replace, and Bill is the replacement text.

As another example, we have phone numbers stored as text and need to change the prefix for each. Since each prefix is different, we can use REPLACE to specify the position and number of characters for the replacement. Here’s the formula:

=REPLACE(A1,5,3,”222″)

Tip: To change multiple cells in a column, you can drag the formula down to apply it to the subsequent rows as shown below.

SUBSTITUTE

For an example of the SUBSTITUTE function, we want to replace “new york” with “New York” and will add the occurrence argument to make sure we only change the first instance in our string. Here’s the formula:

=SUBSTITUTE(A1,”new york”,”New York”,1)

To break down this formula, A1 contains the text, “new york” is the text we search for, “New York” is the replacement, and 1 is the first occurrence of the text.

If you were to remove the occurrence argument in the above formula, the function would change both instances to “New York” by default as you can see here:

=SUBSTITUTE(A1,”new york”,”New York”)

Change the Letter Case: PROPER, UPPER, and LOWER

If you import data from another source or mistype during data entry, you may end up with mismatched letter cases. Using the PROPER, UPPER, and LOWER functions, you can quickly correct it.

The syntax for each is simple as PROPER(text), UPPER(text), and LOWER(text) where you can use a cell reference or the text for the argument.

To capitalize the first letter of each word in a text string, you can use the PROPER function and this formula:

=PROPER(A1)

To change the letters to all uppercase, use the UPPER function and this formula:

=UPPER(A1)

To change the letters to all lower case, use the LOWER function and this formula:

=LOWER(A1)

Remember, you can also enter the exact text for all three functions within quotes as follows:

=PROPER(“online tech TIPS”)

Obtain Part of a Text String: LEFT, RIGHT, and MID

Maybe you need to extract part of a text string. You may have data mixed in with other data or want to use a portion of a string for something in particular. You can use the LEFT, RIGHT, and MID functions to get the part you need.

The syntax for each is LEFT(string, num_characters), RIGHT(string, num_characters), and MID(string, start, length). You can use a cell reference or the text as the string argument in each.

For an example of the LEFT function, we’ll extract the first three characters from the left using the text in cell A1 with this formula:

=LEFT(A1,3)

For an example of the RIGHT function, we’ll extract the first four characters from the right using the same cell with this formula:

=RIGHT(A1,4)

For an example of the MID function, we’ll extract the name “Jane” from the text in the same cell.

=MID(A1,6,4)

In this MID example, a 6 for the start argument selects the 6th character from the left. Remember that all characters count, including spaces and punctuation. Then, a 4 for the length argument selects four characters.

Get the Length of a Text String: LEN and LENB

When you plan to do something specific with your data, such as copy and paste or export it for use elsewhere, you might need to be cautious about the character count. With LEN, you can get the number of characters in a text string, and with LENB, you can get the count in bytes.

The syntax for each is LEN(string) and LENB(string), where again, you can use a cell reference or text as the argument.

Here, we’ll get the character count for the text in cell A1 with this formula:

=LEN(A1)

With this formula, we’ll get the character count for the text in cell A1 but as bytes instead:

=LENB(A1)

Remove Extra Spaces: TRIM

If you need to clean up your data from leading, trailing, or miscellaneous extra spaces, you can use the TRIM function.

The syntax is TRIM(text), where you can use a cell reference or text for the argument.

Here, we’ll remove the spaces from the text string in cell A1 with this formula:

=TRIM(A1)

Next, we’ll remove extra spaces from the specific text “ Online Tech Tips” with this formula:

=TRIM( “Online Tech Tips”)

Tackle Your Text With Google Sheets Functions

Google Sheets offers many features for working with text. You can wrap text, change the format, hyperlink it, and more. However, when you have a lengthy dataset, the Google Sheets text functions can help you tackle your text changes quicker and more efficiently. Will you give one or two a try?

For related tutorials, look at how to use Google Sheets formulas for arrays.

The post 15+ Simple Google Sheets Text Functions first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

1. Highlight Cells

Highlighting the entire cell is pretty straightforward. You can choose to highlight only one or a group of cells. Follow these steps:

1. Select the cell or a group of cells you want to highlight.

2. Select the Fill color icon from the toolbar, and choose the highlight color you want.

3. The selected cells will automatically become highlighted with a different fill color than the others.

And that’s all there is to it. Highlighting cells might be the easiest thing to do in Google Sheets.

2. Highlight Text

If you don’t want to highlight the whole cell but only the data inside it, you can do it by changing the text color. It doesn’t matter if it’s a particular value, the whole text, or just a part of the text in a cell you want to highlight; the concept is the same.

1. Select the text within the cell or part of the text you want to highlight. Double-click the cell with your cursor to access the text to do this.

2. Select the Text color icon from the main toolbar, and choose the desired color.

3. The selected text will automatically change to the color you chose from the color palette.

Note: You can use as many colors as you want to highlight your text. But remember that some colors might be difficult to read depending on the cell background color. You can combine cell and text highlight methods to achieve different effects. You can also change the formatting style of your text to Bold, Italic, or Strikethrough to put even more emphasis on the text or a cell.

3. Conditional Formatting

For data analysis, you can format the cells based on their content. For example, you can change the background color of cells with the same value. Conditional formatting will save you time if you need to highlight several different cells with the same value and you don’t want to manually search for them to select and highlight those values.

Let’s see how to automatically highlight cells that begin, end, or contain a specific value, word, or phrase, changing only the conditional formatting rules.

Note: Conditional formatting is less powerful in Google Sheets compared to Microsoft Excel. The former limits you to 50 rules per sheet, while you can create up to 256 rules in Excel to highlight your data.

1. Highlight Text That Begins With a Specific Word

1. Select a cell (or multiple cells) that contains a specific word, phrase, or value.
2. Open the Format menu from the ribbon at the top of the screen.

3. Select Conditional Formatting from the drop-down menu. The Conditional Formatting menu will open on the right side of the Google Sheet.

4. If you want to apply Conditional Formatting to multiple cells that contain the same word, you’ll have to input the range to which the formatting will be applied. Click on the Apply to Range box.

5. When the dialog box opens, type in the range of cells where you want to apply the formatting. Look at the cell numbers and column letters and type in the range— e.g. A2:A16. This will highlight the cells that meet the conditional formatting rule .

6. In the Conditional Formatting menu, under Format Rules (or Conditional format rules), click on the drop-down menu for Format cells if…

7. Select Text starts with from the drop-down menu.

8. In the Value or formula box, type in the specific word (or a custom formula) with which the cell begins.

9. In the Formatting Style section, you can select the text and background color you want added to the text or the whole cell and text formatting options such as Bold, Italic, and Strikethrough.

10. When you select all the desired options in Formatting Style, hit the Done button.

The cells containing a specific word will be highlighted automatically (in our example”, the word is “Best”).

2. Highlight Text That Ends With a Specific Word

You can also highlight all the cells that end with a specific word. The steps are almost the same. However, when you come to the point where you need to select Format rules, You’ll choose Text ends with from the drop-down menu.

All the steps before and after this are the same as described in the previous section. Once you are ready to apply the highlight to all the cells that end with a specific word, phrase, or value, hit the Done button.

3. Highlight Text That Contains a Specific Word

You probably guessed that to highlight text that contains a specific word you have to follow the same steps as previously described in the Conditional Formatting section. But when you reach the point to select Format rules, you’ll choose Text contains from the drop-down menu.

Select the formatting styles you desire and hit the Done button to finish.

Manually highlighting text gives you precise control over the selection process, allowing you to emphasize specific data points, labels, or insights. This hands-on method is ideal for smaller datasets.

On the other hand, automatic highlighting with conditional formatting offers efficiency and scalability. It allows you to set up rules that dynamically highlight cells based on specific criteria, making it perfect for larger datasets. After using conditional formatting, you can also filter your spreadsheet data by color.

Whether you choose the manual or automatic route, highlighting the correct text enhances the clarity and readability of your spreadsheets, so keep experimenting with both methods.

The post How to Highlight Texts in Google Sheets (Manually and Automatically) first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Some other reasons Chrome has issues loading your sites are that your VPN or proxy server isn’t working correctly, Chrome’s cached data is corrupted, Chrome’s configuration is faulty, and more.

Set the Correct Date and Time on Your Computer

When you encounter a “Your clock is ahead” Chrome error, check and ensure your computer is using the correct date and time settings. You or someone else may have modified these settings, making your machine use the incorrect date and time.

In this case, set your PC’s time and date on the automatic mode so you always have the correct settings on your computer.

On Windows 11

1. Right-click the current time in your screen’s bottom-right corner and choose Adjust date and time.
2. Turn on the Set time automatically option.

3. Enable the Set time zone automatically option.
4. Quit Settings, relaunch Chrome, and access your site.

On Windows 10

1. Right-click the clock in your screen’s bottom-right corner and choose Adjust date/time.
2. Activate the Set time automatically option.

3. Enable the Set time zone automatically option.
4. Close Settings, re-open Chrome, and load your site.

Turn Off the VPN or Proxy Server on Your Computer

If you’re using a VPN or proxy server on your computer, turn these items off and see if that resolves your issue. Sometimes, your web browsers can’t load sites because your VPN or proxy server isn’t working correctly.

You can turn off your VPN by launching your app and toggling off the main option.

If you’re using a proxy server on your PC, use the following steps to turn that server off:

On Windows 11

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Select Network & internet in the left sidebar.
3. Choose Proxy on the right pane.
4. Turn off Automatically detect settings.

5. Select Set up next to Use a proxy server and disable Use a proxy server.
6. Close Settings, launch Chrome, and open your site.

On Windows 10

1. Access Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Choose Network & Internet in Settings.
3. Select Proxy in the left sidebar.
4. Turn off Automatically detect settings on the right.

5. Disable the Use a proxy server option.
6. Quit Settings, open Chrome, and launch your site.

Clear Chrome’s Saved Browsing Data

Chrome caches various files in the browser to improve your surfing sessions. Sometimes, this cached data becomes corrupted, causing your browser to be unable to load your sites. This may be the case with you.

In this case, clear Chrome’s saved browsing data to potentially fix your issue.

1. Open Chrome, select the three dots in the top-right corner, and choose Settings.
2. Select Privacy and security in the left sidebar.

3. Choose Clear browsing data on the right pane.
4. Select All time from the Time range drop-down menu, enable the Cached images and files option, untick all other options, and choose Clear data.

5. Launch a new tab in your browser and try to access your site.
6. If your site fails to load, clear all the data saved in Chrome to fix your issue.

Reset Your Chrome Browser Settings

If your “Your clock is ahead” error persists, Chrome’s browser settings might be faulty. You or someone else may have specified Chrome settings incorrectly, making the browser unable to load your sites.

In this case, reset Chrome to the factory settings to potentially fix your issue. Doing so deletes all your custom settings and lets you set up your browser from scratch. Note that you don’t lose your bookmarks, browsing history, and saved passwords when you reset Chrome.

1. Run Chrome, select the three dots in the top-right corner, and choose Settings.
2. Select Reset settings in the left sidebar.
3. Choose Restore settings to their original defaults on the right pane.

4. Select Reset settings in the prompt.
5. Relaunch Chrome when you’ve reset the settings, then load your site.

Replace Your Computer’s CMOS Battery

If your computer doesn’t retain the correct date and time when you give your machine a reboot, your computer’s CMOS battery might be faulty or dead. This battery allows your machine to retain the correct date and time settings, even when you’ve turned off your PC.

In this case, you may have to replace your current CMOS battery with a new one. You’ll have to open your PC’s physical compartment, take the existing CMOS battery out, and place the new one in.

If you aren’t experienced in performing such tasks, we highly recommend you seek the help of a technician to perform the procedure. This is to ensure you don’t end up damaging other parts of your machine.

Make Chrome Ignore the SSL Certificate Warnings

If your issue remains unresolved, but you must access your site, you can get Chrome to ignore the SSL certificate warnings and load your site anyway. This resolves your issue for the time being and lets you access your site’s contents.

You’ll add a parameter to your Chrome desktop shortcut to make the browser ignore certain warnings. Note that this is a temporary workaround, and you should look into resolving your issue.

1. Right-click Chrome’s shortcut on your desktop and choose Properties.
2. Select the Shortcut tab in Properties.
3. Put your cursor at the end of the existing text in the Target field, press Spacebar, and add the following parameter: –ignore-certificate-errors

4. Select Apply followed by OK at the bottom to save your changes.
5. Launch Chrome using your desktop shortcut and open your site.

Many Ways to Resolve a Clock Error in Your Google Chrome Browser

Chrome’s “Your clock is ahead” error can drive people crazy as the issue doesn’t let you access any sites in your browser. If this error message doesn’t go away despite multiple attempts to access your site, the above-mentioned methods will help you resolve your problem.

When you’ve fixed the issue, Chrome will load your sites just as it should, letting you access all your favorite content. Happy browsing!

The post How to Fix a “Your clock is ahead” Error in Google Chrome first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

About Line Numbers in Google Docs

There are a few things to remember when inserting line numbers in Google Docs.

• You can see the line numbers in blue on the left side of each line, including subtitles, headers, blank lines (after pressing Enter or Return), and in a table of contents or bibliography.
• You cannot change the style, color, or size of the line numbers as of this writing.
• You can use continuous numbering throughout the document, start fresh on each page, or number document sections.
• You can only use line numbers in the Pages format. If you use the Pageless format by default, you can switch by selecting File > Page setup > Pages.

How to Add Line Numbers in Google Docs

When you’re ready to insert line numbers, open your document in Google Docs on the web. The feature is not currently available on Android or iPhone’s Google Docs mobile app.

1. Select Tools in the menu and choose Line numbers.

2. When the sidebar opens on the right, check the box at the top for Show line numbers.

3. You should then see the blue numbers to the left of each line.

Tip: You can add line numbers in a Microsoft Word document too.

Customize Line Numbers in Google Docs

You’ll notice different options for your line numbers in Google Docs.

You can choose one of the Line Numbering Modes for how to number your document, including the entire document, or restarting at 1 on each page or section.

In the Apply To section, you can choose between the entire document or the section where your cursor is located.

The second option is grayed out if you don’t have designated sections in your document, which we’ll explain next.

How to Add Line Numbers to Sections

If you have a document where you only want to number lines in certain sections rather than the entire document, you’ll start by adding those sections.

1. Place your cursor where you want to create a new section.
2. Select Insert in the menu and move to Break. Choose the type of section you want to insert, whether continuous on the same page or a new page.

3. If you want to see the location of your section break, you can select View > Show non-printing characters in the menu.

4. Return to the Line Numbers sidebar. You can reopen it by selecting Tools > Line numbers if you’ve closed it.
5. Then, do one of the following depending on how you want to number the sections.

Restart in Each Section

Select Restart on each section below Line Numbering Mode to start each section at number 1.

Number the Current Section

Select This section below Apply To if you only want the line numbers in the section where your cursor is placed.

Then, place your cursor in each other section and uncheck the Show line numbers box in the sidebar.

You can follow these same steps to number other sections in your document the same way. Then, refer to the line you need by specifying the section and line number within it.

Tip: You can also add page numbers for references in your document.

Remove Line Numbers in Google Docs

If you want to remove the line numbers in your Google Docs document later, it’s as easy as unchecking a box.

Open the sidebar by selecting Tools > Line numbers. Uncheck the Show line numbers box at the top of the sidebar.

If you numbered particular sections, place your cursor in the section to display the marked checkbox and uncheck it.

For a simple way to reference specific lines, sentences, or paragraphs in your documents, you now know how to add line numbers in Google Docs. For related tutorials, look at how to remove section and page breaks too.

The post How to Add Line Numbers in Google Docs first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

If you’re currently staring at a stubborn Gmail attachment that refuses to save to local storage or Google Drive, don’t worry. This troubleshooting tutorial will walk you through multiple solutions to the problem.

Note: The instructions below are from a Google Pixel running Android 13. Steps may differ slightly depending on your device’s model and system software version.

1. Quit and Relaunch Gmail

It’s best to kick things off by closing and re-opening Gmail. This action helps refresh the app and quickly fix unexpected issues preventing you from downloading attachments.

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to bring up the app switcher.
2. Locate and drag the Gmail card up and out of the screen.
3. Re-open Gmail via the Home Screen or App Drawer.

2. Restart Your Android Phone

Another relatively simple fix involves restarting your Android phone. It resolves random system-related problems, causing apps like Gmail to malfunction. Just hold the Power and Volume Up buttons simultaneously and tap Restart.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

Before diving into more advanced solutions, it’s a good idea to ensure there’s nothing wrong with the internet. You can test this by browsing a website or checking another app.

If there are connectivity issues, you may need to restart your router, switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, or get closer to the Wi-Fi source. Learn more about fixing a slow Wi-Fi or mobile data connection on Android.

4. Clear Data in the Gmail Cache

When you attempt to preview a supported attachment type, like a PDF file, Gmail begins caching its contents locally. Rarely, however, this process can fail, and the partial download continually blocks access to the attachment. Clearing Gmail’s app cache is a feasible way to resolve the issue, including many others that stem from cache corruption. Here’s how:

1. Open Android’s Settings app.
2. Tap Apps and choose Gmail within the list of Android apps.

3. Select the Force stop button.
4. Tap OK on the confirmation prompt.

5. Select Storage & cache.
6. Tap the Clear cache button.

7. Exit to the Home Screen and relaunch Gmail.

5. Check the Gmail Servers

Gmail attachment download issues could also crop up because of complications on Google’s end. To confirm, open Google Chrome or any other browser on your Android phone and visit the Google Workspace Status Dashboard. If any ongoing issues are listed next to Gmail, wait until Google resolves them.

6. Ask the Sender to Resend the Attachment

An incorrectly attached file is another reason that prevents Gmail from consistently failing to download it. If the issue is isolated to a single item, try asking the person who sent it to you to re-send it.

Password-protected files might also lead to download issues. If that’s the case, request a copy without a password.

7. Update the Gmail App to Its Latest Version

If the download problem persists with multiple attachments, it’s likely due to a fault with the Gmail app. Check the Google Play Store for updates since these often contain bug fixes and performance improvements. Here’s how:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for Gmail.
3. Tap Update if the option is available to update Gmail.

If Gmail is up-to-date, try reapplying any recent updates to ensure everything is correctly installed. Just tap the Uninstall button on Gmail’s store page—this does not uninstall the app—and Update afterward.

8. Allow Unrestricted Access to the Internet

The following fix involves ensuring Gmail has adequate permissions to use mobile data and Wi-Fi, even when Android’s data-saving features are active. If not, you might be restricted to reading emails only. To do that:

1. Enter the Android Settings.
2. Go to Apps > All apps.
3. Tap Gmail.
4. Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi.
5. Enable the switches next to Background data and Unrestricted data usage.

9. Disable Battery Saver

The Battery Saver mode on Android curtails app functionality to conserve power, so briefly disable it and check if that fixes Gmail’s attachment downloading issues. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app and tap Battery.
2. Tap Battery Saver.
3. Disable the switch next to Use Battery Saver.

10. Resync Google Account With Gmail

Gmail may not work correctly if it’s not in sync with your Google Account, so the following fix involves refreshing the connection between the app and the account. To do that:

1. Open the Settings app and tap Passwords & accounts. Alternatively, tap your profile portrait on the top right corner of the Gmail app and select Manage accounts on this device.
2. Tap your Gmail account under the Accounts for [Your Name] section.

3. Tap Account sync.
4. Disable the switch next to Gmail.
5. Wait 10 seconds and re-enable Gmail.

11. Reset Android’s Network Settings

Persistent Gmail attachment download issues can originate from a corrupt Android network configuration, so another way to fix the problem is to factory reset your Wi-Fi and mobile data settings. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap System.
3. Tap Reset options.

4. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
5. Tap Reset settings.

After the network reset, your phone won’t auto-join previously remembered Wi-Fi networks—you must re-enter their passwords and connect to them from scratch. On the other hand, your cellular settings should update automatically—if they don’t, contact your wireless carrier for assistance.

Get Those Gmail Attachments Downloading Again

When you encounter issues downloading attachments in Gmail on your Android device, there’s a structured approach you can follow. Begin with basic solutions like restarting the app and checking your internet. If these don’t yield results, delve into app-specific fixes or consider external factors like server outages.

For persistent problems, tweaking specific device settings that conflict with Gmail or restoring Android’s network preferences to factory defaults can make a difference. With persistence, you should be able to download attachments normally again.

The post Gmail Won’t Download Attachments in Android? 11 Fixes to Try first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

The Best Free Gmail Alternatives for Business or Personal Use

With these several solid Gmail alternatives, there’s bound to be one email app on this list that has the features you need.

1. Best for Microsoft Users: Outlook.com

You don’t have to be limited to a desktop email application just because you want to use Outlook instead of Gmail. Microsoft provides a web-based Outlook option at no charge, and you can log in with your existing Microsoft account.

If you do decide to use Microsoft Outlook on your desktop or mobile device later, you can simply use your Outlook.com account. Plus, you have a built-in calendar and address book for a handy organized package.

Notable Features

• Create inbox rules to manage incoming emails.
• Customize Quick Actions for those you use often.
• Request read receipts automatically or manually.
• Unsubscribe with a click.
• Set up both in-app and desktop notifications.

Outlook.com is available for free with an optional upgrade to Microsoft 365 for premium features including ad-free email, more OneDrive and email storage space, advanced security features, and more. Plans start at $1.99 per month.

2. Best for Apple Users: iCloud Mail

Like those who prefer Microsoft products, maybe you’re partial to Apple. In this case, iCloud Mail is the way to go. Even if you don’t have an iPhone or Mac, you can create a free iCloud account and use the mail service, along with other services, without spending a dime.

While iCloud Mail on the web may not be as full-featured as similar email clients, you can sync it with your Apple devices for a seamless transition.

Notable Features

• Set up automatic email forwarding.
• Create and manage email aliases.
• Schedule and compose an automatic reply.
• Create inbox rules for handling messages.
• Enable Mail Drop for sending large email attachments.

iCloud Mail is available for free with your Apple ID. You can opt for additional storage and features like a custom email domain, ability to hide your email address, and Private Relay with iCloud+. Plans start at $0.99 per month.

Tip: Learn how to access iCloud content on your Android device.

3. Best for Email Encryption: Proton Mail

Maybe what you want is an added sense of security with an encrypted email provider. Proton Mail is a private, independently audited service with open source end-to-end and zero-access encryption.

Even if your recipient doesn’t use Proton Mail, you can send password-protected messages. Additionally, Proton Mail blocks tracking pixels, hides your IP address, and keeps ads out of your way.

Notable Features

• Enable desktop notifications to stay up to date.
• Send password-protected messages that expire in 28 days or a custom timeframe you choose.
• Schedule emails to send later.
• Request read receipts.
• Create filters to manage your incoming messages.

Proton Mail is available for free with paid subscription plans for extra features like unlimited messages per day, a custom email domain, 15 GB of storage, unlimited folders, and more. Plans start at $3.49 per month.

4. Best for Privacy and Security: Tutanota

Another email service provider known for security is Tutanota. With end-to-end encryption, zero ads, and the option to remain anonymous with no phone number or personal data required, Tutanota is a secure email service you’ll want to explore.

Also open source like Proton Mail, Tutanota provides you with not only a secure mailbox, but an encrypted calendar, address book, inbox rules, and filters as well.

Notable Features

• Filter your inbox by read, unread, or messages with attachments.
• View email headers with a click.
• Easily export or download emails, your calendar, and your contacts.
• Merge similar contacts.
• Create repeating events.

Tutanota is available for free with optional paid subscription plans for features like 20 GB of storage, unlimited calendars, custom domains, calendar sharing, and more. Plans start at $3.85 per month.

5. Best for Extra Services: Mailfence

If one thing you like about Gmail is its connection to Google Calendar, Contacts, and Drive, then take Mailfence for a spin. Along with email, you can create events and manage your schedule, add or import your contacts, and upload and store documents.

You’ll receive all the basic email features you need including spam filters, the ability to create and use tags, and an archive. But of course, you can take advantage of bonus features too.

Notable Features

• Add other email accounts like Hotmail, Outlook, or Yahoo Mail for a unified inbox.
• Activate “Short Domain” for your @mailfence.com email address.
• Create email signatures and customizable templates.
• Set up two-factor authentication for added security.
• Add a personal key for secure emails.

Mailfence is available for free with optional paid subscription plans for features like aliases, email domains, filters, mobile sync, and more document storage. Plans start at $3.85 per month.

6. Best for Yahoo and AOL Fans: Mail.com

Whether you currently use or have previously used Yahoo or AOL for email, you’ll get the same familiar feel with Mail.com. Once you create your account and log in, you’ll see a handy list of services along the top of your personalized page.

You have the Cloud for storing files and photos, Contacts for your besties, and an Organizer for your calendar of events. You can also use the Online Office, play some Games, take advantage of the Translator, or visit the Blog.

Notable Features

• Use Quick Response to reply instantly without composing an entire email.
• Choose from attractive stationeries both with and without images.
• Pick from a variety of domain names per industry.
• Create inbox filter rules for better organization.
• Enable spam protection, virus protection, and manage both block and allow lists.

Mail.com is available for free with optional premium features including scheduling emails, read receipts, 12 GB of cloud storage, an ad-free inbox and more. Premium Mail is $9.99 for three months or $29.99 for 12 months.

Which Gmail Alternative Will You Pick?

Which email provider will you choose, and will you use the free version or opt for a premium plan? Let us know!

For more, look at how to automatically log out of your Gmail or Google account.

The post 6 Best Gmail Alternatives for Different Types of Users first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Don’t worry, though. A simple solution is to export your presentation to a widely compatible file format and check the word count using alternative applications and tools. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process.

Method 1: Download the Presentation as a Text File

The most straightforward way to check the word count of a Google Slides presentation is to download it as a text file. You can paste the words into a text editing application or an online word count tool to get the exact figure.

To download a Google Slides presentation in the .TXT format:

1. Open the presentation in Google Slides.
2. Select File on the top menu and point to Download.
3. On the list of available formats, choose Plain Text (.TXT).

4. Wait until Google Slides converts and downloads the presentation in the .TXT format. You should find the text file within the Downloads folder of your PC or Mac.

Now that you have the presentation as a text file, it’s time to check the word count. The native Notepad (PC) and TextEdit (Mac) applications are incapable of showing word counts, so you must:

1. Open the .TXT file—double-clicking it should automatically open it in Notepad or TextEdit.

2. Press Ctrl + A (PC) or Cmd + A (Mac) to highlight all text within the file, and then Ctrl + C (PC) or Cmd + C (Mac) copy the selected text to the clipboard. You can also use the Select All and Copy options on the Edit menu if you do not prefer keyboard shortcuts.

3. Paste the contents into a word processor like Microsoft Word (you should see the word count on the bottom left corner of the screen) or Google Docs (select Tools > Word Count on the menu bar). However, a much easier alternative is to copy everything to a site like Word Count.

If you’re a Mac user, there’s also a relatively straightforward TextEdit-based workaround you can use to determine the word count of a TXT file. It can be slightly inaccurate, however.

Just open the .TXT file in TextEdit, and Press Cmd + F (or select Edit > Find on the menu bar) to invoke the Search tool. Then, select the Search icon on the left corner of the Search field and choose Insert Pattern > Any Word Characters. The word count should appear in the right corner of the Search field.

Method 2: Convert to PPTX and Display Word Count in PowerPoint

If you have Microsoft PowerPoint installed on your PC or Mac, you can convert the Google Slides presentation as a .PPTX file, import the document to PowerPoint, and check the word count that way.

To download a Google Slides presentation as a .PPTX file:

1. Open the presentation in Google Slides.
2. Select File on the top menu and point to Download.
3. Select Microsoft PowerPoint (.PPTX) on the drop-down menu.

To check the word count in Microsoft PowerPoint:

1. Open the exported .PPTX file in PowerPoint.

2. Go to File > Info (Windows)/Properties (macOS) on the menu bar.

3. Select Show All Properties (Windows) or Statistics (macOS). You should see the word count of the presentation next to Words.

You Don’t Have to Guess Anymore

Although Google Slides has no built-in word count feature, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. With the methods above, you can quickly determine the number of words in your presentations. Whether you prefer downloading your slides as a text file or using the word count capabilities of Microsoft PowerPoint, you won’t have to guess the length of presentations anymore.

Sadly, there’s no way to keep track of your word count in real-time like in Google Docs. But until Google implements such a feature, it’s a hassle you must put up with for the time being.

The post How to Check Word Count in Google Slides Presentations first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Create an Event From an Email

You have two simple ways to create a Google Calendar event from an email in Gmail. One method is ideal for when you’re composing a new message, while the second works well if you’re replying, forwarding, or composing a new email.

Create an Event From a Received Message

When you receive an email that prompts an event, you can set one up in Google Calendar in just a few steps.

1. Select the email in your inbox or open it in a new window.
2. Use the three vertical dots in the toolbar at the top to pick Create event.

3. When Google Calendar opens in a new tab, you’ll see the subject line of the email as the event title, the description as the message body, and the sender as a guest. You can edit the title, add more guests, and then complete the other event details as normal.

4. Select Save at the top to finish and share the event with the email sender and other guests.

Create an Event for a New Message, Reply, or Forward

If you’re composing a new message, replying, or forwarding an email, you can create a Google Calendar event easily.

1. At the bottom of the message window, select the Calendar icon or three vertical dots. Move to Set up a time to meet and pick Create an event.

2. You should then see a new event window on the right side of Gmail. If you’re replying to an email with the event, you’ll see the title as the email subject and the sender as a guest, and you can edit both. For a new message, create the event as you normally would with a title, the date and time, and the guests.

3. When you finish adding the event details, select Save at the bottom. If prompted to send the invitation email to the guest, choose Send or Don’t send per your preference.

4. Whether you choose Send or Don’t send above, the invitation will still appear inside the email window. You can then complete the message and send it like normal.

If you want to remove the event from the email, use the X in the top right corner.

Send Available Times and Create an Event

Another handy time-saving feature for scheduling events from Gmail allows you to send times that you’re available to your recipient. They can then select a time to create the event in Google Calendar.

The feature is available to all Google Workspace customers as well as those with personal Google accounts.

To use this scheduling option, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The feature currently only works for one-on-one meetings.
• If you include multiple recipients, only the first person to respond will become an event guest.
• You can only use the feature for your primary Google Calendar, as of this writing.

Note that Google could update these limitations at any time.

Send Your Free Times

You can send selected times to your recipient in a new email, reply, or forward the same way.

1. Select the Calendar icon or three vertical dots at the bottom of the email window. Move to Set up a time to meet and pick Offer times you’re free.

2. You’ll see Google Calendar open in a sidebar on the right. At the bottom of the sidebar, use the first drop-down menu to pick a duration for your availability.

3. Choose Add a date and select the date from the pop-up calendar.

4. Pick the start and end times for the date you selected.
5. To add another timeframe for the same date, use the plus sign to the right.
6. To add availability for another date and time, select Add a date.
7. When you finish, choose Next at the bottom.

8. On the subsequent screen, add or edit the Event title and Event duration per your preference. You can also adjust or add more dates and times if needed.

9. To add a location or conferencing details, expand More Info and enter the information.
10. When you’re ready, select Add to email at the bottom of the sidebar.

11. You’ll then see the Proposed Times box within the Gmail message body. Simply complete your email and send it on its way.

Create the Event

After you follow the above steps to send available times to your recipient, they can select one of the date and time slots in the email to accept and schedule the event.

They’ll then see a pop-up message asking for their name and email address. They then select Confirm.

They’ll receive a confirmation message with the date and time, and you’ll get an email letting you know.

To accept the time they selected and save the event, select Yes. Alternatively, choose No to decline or Maybe if you’re unsure.

If you accept, you’ll see the event pop open in Google Calendar, saved and confirmed.

Gmail Makes Scheduling Simple

Whether you create your event from an email you’re composing or reply to a recipient with your available times, the integration with Gmail and Google Calendar makes scheduling a breeze.

For more, look at these pro tips for using Google Calendar.

The post How to Create a Google Calendar Event From Gmail first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

However, some users have reported that Chrome reverts back to the default theme whenever they restart the app. In this tutorial, we’ll explain why the Google Chrome theme keeps changing and how to fix it.

Why Does My Chrome Theme Keep Changing?

When you add a new theme to Chrome, it’ll change the appearance of your toolbar, bookmarks bar, and background image. The problem is, Chrome seems to automatically change themes and color schemes to match the background image — so if it changes, the whole theme changes.

Worse yet, there seems to be a few variations of this glitch, including:

1. The theme changes as soon as you add a new background image on the New Tab page. Usually, the color scheme changes to match the new image.
2. The theme reverts to default when you restart the Chrome browser.
3. The theme resets to default when you restart your device.

Unfortunately, as of the time of writing this article, there’s been no official response from Google as to why this glitch is occurring or how to fix it.

However, the likely cause is a setting called “Customize Chrome color extraction.” This setting seems to make your homepage color scheme change according to whichever theme you download from the Chrome Web Store.

Another potential reason is that your Chrome settings on different devices are conflicting with each other. Your Chrome theme syncs between Windows, iOS, Mac, and Android devices if they’re logged into the same Google Account. Syncing issues may cause problems with your theme, causing it to revert to default.

How to Stop Google Chrome’s Theme From Changing Automatically

So far, there seem to be three ways to fix the Chrome color-shifting glitch:

1. Check Chrome’s Customization Settings

Google Chrome’s customizations let you add different themes and custom colors. But, if you leave its settings on default, it will automatically shift these depending on your background images and other changes. To fix this:

1. Open Google Chrome and select Customize Chrome in the bottom-right corner of the sidebar.

2. Select Reset to Classic Chrome.

2. Disable Chrome Flags

Google Chrome’s Flags offer users a way to enable and disable certain Chrome features that don’t show up in the settings menu. There are two Chrome Flags which appear to make the Chrome theme change automatically. To fix this:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Type “chrome://flags” into the search bar and press Enter.
3. Find Customize Chrome color extraction and change its value to “Disabled.”

4. If that doesn’t fix the issue, search for Dynamic color gamut and change the value from “Default” to “Disabled.” Depending on your version of Chrome, this option may not be available.

3. Reinstall Your Theme

If you’re still having issues, you can try to uninstall and reinstall the theme via the Google Web Store:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Select the three vertical dots in the top-right corner, then select Settings from the pop-up menu.

3. Choose Appearance.

4. Under “Theme”, select Reset to default.

5. Press Open Web Store, locate the theme, and select Add to Chrome.

Choose a New Chrome Theme? Why Not

Google Chrome offers a wide range of light and dark themes, plugins, and even a dedicated Dark Mode so that you can make your browsing experience as seamless as possible. Hopefully, this troubleshooting article has helped you resolve all of your Chrome theme issues, and you can go back to browsing in peace.

The post Google Chrome Theme Keeps Changing? 3 Fixes to Try first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

How to Lock Screen on Chromebook

There are actually six different ways to lock your Chromebook screen, depending on your preferences. We’ll explain each method below, so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Use the Power Button

This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to lock your Chromebook screen.

1. Press and hold the Power button.
2. Select Lock.

Use the Lock Key

Here’s another easy way to lock screen on Chromebook if you’re stepping away for a few minutes.

1. Press and hold the Lock key on your Chromebook keyboard.
2. After around two seconds, your Chromebook screen should lock.

Close the Lid

You can simply close the lid of your Chromebook to lock your screen. You’ll need to ensure that the options to lock your screen when the lid is closed are enabled, though. Here’s how to do that.

1. Click the clock in the lower-right corner of your screen and select the Settings gear icon.
2. Under Security and Privacy, select Lock Screen and Sign-In.
3. Enter your Google account password and click Confirm.
4. Turn on the Lock When Sleeping or Lid is Closed toggle.

Use the Magnifying Glass

Here’s another quick and easy way to lock your Chromebook screen.

1. Click the Magnifying Glass key + L on your Chromebook keyboard.
2. Your Chromebook screen should now be locked!

Click the Clock

Here’s another quick way to lock your Chromebook screen.

1. Click the clock in the lower right corner of your screen.
2. Click Lock.

Walk Away

If your Chromebook is inactive for a period of time, your screen will turn off and then your Chromebook will sleep. This is not the best option if you’re using your Chromebook in a public place, as somebody could access your Google account and other information before the screen locks. You also need to ensure that you have turned on the Lock When Sleeping function, as described above.

However, if you’re at home or another secure location, you may find this is the lock method you end up relying on most often. The amount of time for your screen to turn off and go to sleep varies depending on whether your Chromebook is plugged in or not.

Plugged in: Your screen will turn off after eight minutes and your Chromebook will go to sleep after 30 minutes.

Not plugged in: Your screen will turn off after six minutes and your Chromebook will go to sleep after 10 minutes.

How to Show the Lock Screen on Waking

You always want to ensure that your Chromebook shows the lock screen when it wakes up. This ensures that nobody else can access anything on your Chromebook — including your Google account. By default, the lock screen is set to show when your Chromebook wakes up. But if you want to double-check that this feature is enabled, or turn it on if it’s actually off, here’s how to do that.

1. Click the Clock in the lower-right corner of your screen and select the Settings gear.
2. Scroll down and under Security and Privacy, select Lock Screen and Sign-In.

3. Enter your Chromebook password and click Confirm.
4. Under Lock Screen From Sleep Mode, select either Password Only or PIN or Password is selected.

How to Unlock Your Chromebook Screen

You can either use your phone or a PIN or your Google password to unlock your Chromebook screen. Using your phone is generally the speedier option, provided you don’t leave your phone lying around.

Unlock Your Screen with a PIN/Password

While you can use your Google password to unlock your screen, we’d recommend using a PIN. It’s easier and quicker to enter, especially if your 2-in-1 Chromebook is in tablet mode. Here’s how to set up a PIN on your Chromebook.

1. Click the clock at the bottom right of your screen and select the Settings gear icon.
2. Under Security and Privacy, select Lock Screen and Sign-In.
3. Enter your Google password, then click Confirm.
4. Select PIN or Password > Set up Pin
5. Enter your PIN of choice (six digits or more).
6. Select Continue.
7. Re-enter your PIN, then select Confirm.

The next time your Chromebook wakes up, you can log in using this PIN instead of your Google password.

Unlock Your Screen with Your Phone

You can also connect your Android phone to your Chromebook so your screen will unlock when your phone is nearby. Here’s how to do that, but first, you’ll need to ensure you’re running the most recent versions of Chrome and Android. You’ll also need to be signed in to your Google account on your phone and Chromebook, and have Bluetooth enabled on both devices.

1. Click the clock at the bottom right of your screen, then select the Settings gear.
2. Under Connected Devices, find Android Phone and select Set Up.
3. From the menu on the left, select the phone you want to connect. Your Chromebook may automatically detect your device, so check that it has selected the right device.
4. Click Accept and Continue.
5. Enter your Google account password when prompted.
6. Click Done.

When your phone is in Bluetooth range of your Chromebook, you can simply click your profile picture to log in!

Now that you know how to lock Chromebook screen, you’ll never need to worry about your Chromebook when stepping away from your desk, whether you’re working from home, the office, or a coffee shop. To learn even more about your Chromebook, check out these advanced Chromebook tips to become a power user, or dive into these Chromebook tips and tricks to get the most from your Chromebook.

The post Top 6 Ways to Lock Your Chromebook Screen first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

This free Word art tool lets you turn a regular document into a more visually appealing piece. Here’s where you can find this somewhat-hidden Drive feature and how to use it.

How to Create and Insert Word Art in Google Docs

You can only insert Word art in the web version of Google Docs and not the mobile app. Open Google Docs in your browser and then create a new document or open the document you want to insert the Word art in.

1. Click the Insert option in the menu bar.
2. Hover your cursor over the Drawing option in the dropdown menu and then select New from the sub-menu.

3. The Drawing window will appear. You’ll see a checkerboard which you can draw on, as well as several options in the header menu. Click Actions and then select Word art from the menu.

4. Next, enter the text that you want to turn into Word art in the text box that appears. You can add multiple lines by pressing Shift + Enter. When you’re ready to save, press Enter.

5. Your text will now appear on the checkerboard as Word art. You can then customize it using the options in the header menu, like changing its color, border weight, and so on. Click Save and Close once you’re finished customizing the Word art.

The Word art will then be inserted in the Google Docs document.

Aligning Word Art With Your Text

The way your Word art interacts with surrounding text can be a bit tricky, and may sometimes cause an undesirable layout shift. There are a few options available for positioning the Word art with your text.

• In line: This option is the default option and makes the Word art behave the same as a character written in the text. It sits directly on the line of the text.
• Wrap text: This allows your text to wrap around the Word art. In other words, the Word art remains in place while the surrounding text adjusts to it.
• Break text: This makes your Word art essentially act as a barrier in your document.The text will stop above the Word art and continue below it.
• Behind text: This places the Word art behind your text. This is a good idea for art such as a watermark. Be sure there’s enough contrast between the Word art and text, though.
• In front of text: This places the Word art in front of your text.

You can find these options in the menu that appears when you click the Word art in your document.

Choosing the right wrapping option can have a big impact on the visual implications of the document, so choose carefully.

Bring Visual Potential to Your Document

Google Docs, aside from its many other features, offers creative potential with Word art. This allows users to transform ordinary text into a visual element, drawing attention to important details when necessary.

The available wrapping options also allow you to place your Word art appropriately while keeping in mind the content of the document.

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