Aug 31

Recover Unsaved Documents or Return to an Earlier Version of Your Document in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word 2010

Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint 2010 have a new feature that allows you to recover unsaved documents, even ones that you never saved. This expands on the Autosave feature that was available for years, but unlike earlier versions of MS Office, the automated backups are not deleted when you close your Office host. Additionally, multiple versions of your file are maintained, so that you can return to an earlier version of your document.

For more details, read our Microsoft Office tip, Recover unsaved documents or return to an earlier version of your document in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word 2010.

Aug 29

Quickly Insert Screenshots in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word 2010

Microsoft Office 2010 has a new feature that makes it easier than ever to insert screenshots into your documents. The Screenshot feature is available in MS Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word 2010. On the Insert tab of the Ribbon, just click “Screenshot” and choose any of the windows that you have open.

For more details, read our Microsoft Office tip, Quickly Insert Screenshots in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint and Word 2010.

Aug 26

Show Data Trends with Tiny Sparkline Charts in Microsoft Excel 2010

A new feature in Microsoft Excel 2010 lets you insert tiny charts, or Sparklines, into worksheet cells. Sparklines are a powerful way to show a quick snapshot of data trends.

To insert a Sparkline:

  • Select the cell where you want to insert the mini chart.
  • On the Insert tab of the Ribbon, choose the desired Sparkline type in the Sparklines group:

For more details, read our Microsoft Excel tip article, Show Data Trends with Tiny Sparkline Charts in Microsoft Excel 2010.

Aug 26

Broadcast Microsoft PowerPoint Slide Shows to Remote Viewers for Free using Windows Live ID

A new feature in Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 allows you to broadcast slide shows to remote viewers over the web. All you need is a Windows Live ID. Microsoft provides a free Broadcast service, and creates the URL for you to share with your viewers. Just click File, Save & Send, Broadcast Slide Show, Broadcast Slide Show.

For more details, read our Microsoft PowerPoint tip, Broadcast Microsoft PowerPoint Slide Shows to Remote Viewers for Free using Windows Live ID.

Aug 02

Total Visual CodeTools 2010 Ships for Microsoft Office 2010

Total Visual CodeTools for Microsoft Office 2010 for VBA and VB6FMS is pleased to announce the release of Total Visual CodeTools 2010, the most popular commercial Visual Basic for Application (VBA) and Visual Basic 6 (VB6) coding product for the Microsoft Office/Access community.

Total Visual CodeTools is an add-in that is integrated with the module editor of all VBA platforms such as Microsoft Office, Access, Excel, Outlook, Word, etc. It offers a wide range of utilities to help developers become more productive when creating new code, taking over existing projects, and delivering more robust solutions.

Total Visual CodeTools is by far my favorite third-party product,” says Alison Balter, author of Mastering Access Desktop Development, instructor and developer. “Total Visual CodeTools helps you get your job done more quickly and allows you to focus on the fun and exciting aspects of application development. My favorite feature is the Code Cleanup. If you’ve ever inherited a code-intensive database, you’ll appreciate this feature.”

Total Visual CodeTools 2010 includes many enhancements over its predecessor for Office 2007. In addition to supporting VBA in Office 2010, there are new options and better performance for Code Cleanup and Delivery, enhancements to many Code Builders including the Message Box Builder, Recordset Builder, Select Case Builder, and SQL Text Builder. New features simplify the replacement of existing error handling code, and the user interface is enhanced to support Windows 7. There’s also improved support for international languages and operating systems.

“We are very pleased to ship Total Visual CodeTools 2010,” said Luke Chung, President of FMS. “This version represents our seventh major release of this product and our continued support of the VBA and VB6 developer communities.”

Edwin Blancovitch of Advanced Developers in Puerto Rico adds, “I really recommend it. This tool definitely increased my productivity, allows for code optimization and quality, and best of all reduced my costs.

I really love Total Visual CodeTools,” said Peter Weinwurm of Axium Canada. “I am completely blown away by how much the products in the Total Access Developer Suite can do, and how much time they will save me.

Product Information

Total Visual CodeTools supports all Visual Basic 6.0 and VBA development environments including all versions of Microsoft Office from Office 2000 through 2010. Additional information is available on these web pages:

Licensing and Pricing

Total Visual CodeTools is available via ESD and also comes with a professionally printed 164 page user manual and CD.

Total Visual CodeTools is licensed on a per developer basis. A single license is $299. Existing customers can upgrade for $199. It is also included as a standalone product and is part of the Total Access Developer Suite, Total Access Ultimate Suite, and Total Visual Developer Suite.

Total Visual CodeTools can be purchased directly from FMS, corporate resellers, and international distributors. All FMS products include a 30-day money back guarantee.

Aug 01

Case Study with Mercer Consulting Enhancing a Microsoft Access Database Application

Case Study of Database Development Services for MercerMercer Consulting, a global provider of human resources services, chose FMS to enhance an existing application for deployment to their multinational clients. See how they leveraged our commercial software development experience to create a professional quality solution with many enhancements including language localization:

Mercer Case Study“Although we had ambitious goals and increased the scope mid-stream, this was still one of the smoothest software development projects I’ve seen. FMS’s requirements gathering was flexible and efficient, with helpful quick prototyping to facilitate our decision making. The technical development work was always fast, creative but focused, and thoroughly tested….And project management was a breeze, with thorough monthly tracking and the project coming in ahead of schedule and under budget.”

 alt=Read more in our joint Case Study: Leveraging our Commercial Software Development Expertise.

Additional information on our Microsoft Access Development Services.