Computer TIP

MS-WORD Ready, Set, Calculate!

Word has always had a command for performing calculations on numbers visible on the screen in your documents. Unfortunately, Word buries this handy command where you're not likely to come across it-in the Customize dialog box. To find and activate the command, choose Tools, Customize and switch to the Commands tab. Select All Commands in the Categories list, and then scroll way down in the Commands list until you see the ToolsCalculate command. Haul it out and put it on the Tools menu or on the toolbar.

After the Calculate command is accessible, performing a calculation is as simple as selecting the numbers in your document and clicking the button or menu item. It doesn't matter how numbers are arranged -- in a row, in a column, or even within or across paragraphs, separated by any amount of text. The result appears in the status bar and is placed on the clipboard, so doing a quick Ctrl+V (Paste) deposits it at the insertion point. By default, Word adds the selected numbers, but it will dutifully perform subtraction, multiplication, or division if the appropriate symbol precedes a number in the selected text.