Syncing Outlook and Google Calendars

I just upgraded my Microsoft Office from 2000 to 2007. Wow! What a change. I have a PDA and use Google Calendars, so I was looking for a way to sync between Outlook 2007 and GCal.

There is a reasonably priced product called SyncMyCal that I heard about on LifeHacker a while back, but I could not use it at that time because I was using Office 2000. You can download a trial version (SyncMyCal Lite) that will sync 3 days at a time, but it only costs $25 to upgrade and I have found it to be well worth the price.

Once SyncMyCal is installed, you will see the toolbar in Outlook.

After setting up your accounts, all you have to do to sync with Google is click the Syncronize button on the toolbar.

5 Days on my Outlook Calendar

5 Days on my Google Calendar

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I did run into an issue with the SyncMyCal toolbar disappearing from my Outlook application. The online help for SyncMyCal was so intuitive, I was able to find the solution myself. It has to do with AutoSync for my PDA. Basically, if I dock my PDA and then go into Outlook, the toolbar will not be there. If I start Outlook first and then dock my PDA, all works great.

Below is how to load the toolbar - just in case it does not want to come back.

Go to the Tools Menu and select Trust Center

Select Add ins, COM Add-ins and click Go

If the SyncMyCal - Outlook Google Addin is not checked, check it. If it is checked, uncheck it, click ok, go back in and check it again, click ok

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Even with this issue, this software has made my life so much easier. I like to use Google Calendars because I can access them from anywhere there is an internet connection; however, I love the new features in Outlook 2007. SyncMyCal gives me a way to use both calendars as well as my PDA.

Using the NetWorkDays Function in Excel

The NetWorkDays fuction in Excel can be used to give you the net amount of work days. A good use for this function is project planning.  The example below shows the start and end date for a project, the planned vacation days and the final number of work days (without the vacation).

Syntax:   =NetWorkDays({Begin Date},{End Date},{Range of off days/holidays})

=NETWORKDAYS(B1,B2,D6:D10)

 

As you can see this fuction comes in handy in plannning a project.

[-Related Links-]
Better Solutions - NetWorkDays
Distributing Days Over Intervals

ASAP Utilities for Excel

I have been working with a lot of spreadsheets lately and a colleague of mine told me about a utility add-in for Excel.

ASAP Utilities for Excel

I downloaded and installed the add-in and it has been very helpful. I recommend it for anyone who uses Excel extensively.

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Testing Windows Writer Beta

Windows Writer is a new tool for composing weblog entries. It is able to interface with just about any blogging service.

Windows Writer can interface with the following blogging services

• Windows Live Spaces
• WordPress.com
• TypePad
• Blogger
• Live Journal
• Movable Type
• Radio Userland
• Community Server
• dasBlog
• Custom (Metaweblog API)
• Custom (MovableType API)

It seems pretty easy to use so far, but I will need to use it more to be able to say — this is the tool that I will use going forward.

Windows Writer can be downloaded here.

Happy blogging…

Copying Non-Hidden Cells From A Worksheet

I learned something I did not know in Excel some time back and thought I would post it here, so I would not forget it.

I had a situation where someone gave me an Excel worksheet in which 90% of the records were hidden and I needed the un-hidden portion.

The first thing I tried is just a simple copy/paste to a new worksheet, but that copies all rows including the hidden ones. Not being an Excel guru, I had to ask around about how to copy just the visible rows and columns. Below is what I was told.

I have a simple worksheet with one hidden row.

If I do a straight copy <CTRL C>/paste <CTRL V> to a new worksheet, I get all the rows including the one I have hidden.

Below is what needs to be done to avoid hidden rows/columns:

1. Highlight the section to be copied

2. Access EDIT>GOTO or <CTRL G>

3. Access the [Special...] button

4. Select (Visible cells only) and click the [OK] button

5. Copy <CTRL C> the selection and paste <CTRL V> to a new worksheet

As you can see, only the visible data came across.

[-- Related Links --]
ExcelTip.com
Excel Tips