App tips

Spreadsheets aren't databases—stop using them like one

Sometimes a spreadsheet isn't enough. Sure, they're quick to create, but they have limits—and those limits have consequences.

Your keyboard doesn't have an em dash key—here's what to do

There are two kinds of writers: those who like em dashes and impostors. And yet, for some reason, there's no em dash key on a keyboard. We live in a world where the underscore is represented, but the em dash is not. It's upsetting, to be honest.

Use your customer list to create Custom Audiences in Facebook

If you're a marketer, your prospect and customer list is one of your prized possessions. It's a tool for staying in touch. It's a way to nurture contacts into buyers. It's a great start for building audience personas. Your list is everything.

What's the difference between the Wiki and OneNote tabs in Microsoft Teams?

It's easy, in a team chat app, for key points to get lost in the ongoing flow of conversation. That's why every channel in Microsoft Teams has a Wiki page, where you can store things like meeting notes or outline the current state of a project.

6 Microsoft Teams features Zoom doesn't have

Two years ago, I didn't know what Zoom was. Now, it's where we all spend a good chunk of our time. Microsoft, which owns Skype, noticed.

How to use LinkedIn Lead Gen Forms to get qualified leads

LinkedIn Lead Gen Forms have become a critical piece of B2B marketing campaigns. And for good reason: They're easy to set up. They allow for self-serve micro-targeting of more than 600 million users.

In defense of making spreadsheets for fun

In August, I made a spreadsheet that simulates live baseball games. It was a desperate attempt to grab hold of some semblance of control over the disaster roulette that is this year. It was an act of blind curiosity, a one-time thing.

Why everyone should try the accessibility features on their computer

You know those dips in curbs at crosswalks? Those exist because of decades of advocacy by accessibility advocates, but today they benefit anyone who pushes a stroller or just enjoys not tripping.

Catch typos by making your computer read to you

Editing your own work is borderline impossible—it seems like typos slip through the cracks no matter what. I've tried every trick I could think of to improve, but only one has worked: listening to my computer read my writing out loud.

How to add custom search engines to Chrome

Chrome's address bar doubles as a way to do a quick Google search, but you're not limited to searching Google. In that same bar, you can search any site or app.

What is Airtable?

You can, technically, use a butter knife to cut fresh carrots. That doesn't mean it's the best tool for the job. People tend to use spreadsheets the same way, settling for a tool that kind of works when a database would be better.

How to create a poll in Slack

There's no built-in tool for making a Slack poll, but if you want to ask your team a question, there are options. You can use emoji reactions as a sort of improvised poll. You can use a third-party tool if you want something more precise.

Promote inclusive language on your team with a simple Slackbot

Phrases rooted in racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination have made their way into business vocabulary. Most of us do our best to use inclusive language, but sometimes we slip up—or we don't even know that what we're saying isn't inclusive.

Virtual volcanoes: Using Google Forms to enhance online learning

Digital tools were the bread and butter of most workplaces well before any of us ever heard the word coronavirus.

Add your Google Calendars to Outlook.com

Outlook.com, the web version of Outlook, now supports adding Google Calendars. The change is only for work or school accounts, according to Microsoft, and is intended to provide access to your work and personal calendar in one place.

How to hide Google Meet and Google Chat in Gmail

Google would very much like you to consider using Google Meet for meetings and Google Chat for workplace chat.

How to schedule an email in Gmail

You want to send an email, just not right now. No problem—it's easy to schedule an email in Gmail. Maybe you're responding to work emails at an embarrassing hour and don't want the recipient to know.

What is a YubiKey and how does it work?

When I got my first YubiKey, I plugged it into my laptop, tried setting it up with a few accounts, then gave up. For a year and a half.