Tips and Tricks of the Trade
IT Tips – Tips and Tricks You Can Use Every Day
Check this page periodically. We’re adding more IT Tips all of the time—
Screenshots and Snipping
The most common way to take a screenshot on your computer monitor is with the “Print Screen” or “PrtScn” key on your keyboard. However, what if you want only a snapshot of a specific part of your desktop?
Windows comes with a “Snipping” tool that allows you to select the exact area for which you want a screenshot. Using this tool, you can send images of only what you want people to see.
Here’s how you do it.
- Click the Windows key, and type “Snip” into the search bar to find the program.
- Double click on “Snipping Tool” to open the program.
- Click “New” and drag the box around the area of which you want an image.
- The area you marked will pop up in a separate box. There are tools available for editing and highlighting content in the image.
- Edit the image as needed.
- Click “File” and then “Save as” to save the image to your computer.
This is very useful if you need to send images of a program or email that contains confidential information—simply leave out out the information that you don’t want others to see, or obscure it with the editing tools.
This tool is also very useful for reporting issues in a service ticket: Take a Snip of the error code and attach it to any service ticket you send to us. It will help us to respond more effectively.
Ctrl Z—It’s More Than Undo for Editing
Did you know that Ctrl + Z is the ultimate “undo” hot key? You can use it anywhere. Accidentally move or delete a file? Use this hot key to get it back. Decided you don’t need it after all? Ctrl + Y is the ultimate “redo” hot key!
Quickly Paste Plan Text
If you need to copy formatted content and past it without formatting, try Ctrl + Shift + V. It removes formatting from text in most programs.