Remember when talking to yourself got you weird looks?
Within the air of earbuds, it’s totally normal.
Using your voice could make an annoying task like writing up a letter or outline rather a lot easier.
Try these dictation tricks in Microsoft Word of Google Docs that make it a lot better to make use of.
In relation to Google Search, you possibly can get absolutely anything done in case you know how one can use the hidden tools.
Try these not-so-conventional ways to make use of Google beyond regular searches.
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Useful utilities
Easy ways to get things kept away from downloading an additional app or finding the best website.
Currency conversions: Next time you’re eyeing a European something-or-other online, type “[price] euros to dollars” to get a fast conversion, like “55 euros to dollars.”
The exchange rate updates in real-time.
Quick definitions: Type “define [word]” to get its definition.
So handy.
How do you say …? Put in a word + “pronunciation.”
Click the speaker icon to listen to it (there’s a slow toggle in case you need it).
Hit the mic icon that claims Practice to see in case you’re on the best track.
Set a timer or alarm: Commands like “set timer for 20 minutes” or “set an alarm for 9 a.m.” offer you an fast kitchen timer or alarm reminder to, say, give your cat its medicine.
Just don’t close your laptop.
Translate text: Bump into a tasty-looking French recipe?
Type or paste the text into Google Translate.
It’s a lifesaver when traveling, too.
See numbers written as words: Uncertain about big numbers?
Happens to one of the best of us.
Type “953,116,070=english” and Google immediately tells you it’s “nine hundred fifty-three million 100 sixteen thousand and seventy.”
Only for fun
I bet you’ll make a friend’s day passing along considered one of these.
Tilt your world: Type in “askew” and watch your search results take a unusual tilt a la pinball.
OK, it’s not making you more productive, but it surely’s sure a fun prank to tug on someone.
Explore the universe: Simply type in a planet’s name followed by “Google Sky.”
For instance, “Mars Google Sky” helps you to explore the Martian surface.
Movie times and locations: Wish to catch the most recent blockbuster?
Search “movies near me” for theaters, showtimes and reviews.
Move to the beat: This one’s great for musicians, dancers and even fitness buffs.
Punch in “metronome” and Google provides an adjustable, visual beat-keeper.
Take a break
Whether you would like a vacation or simply a brain break, these shortcuts get the job done.
Blast from the past: Tap in “Google snake” to play the old-school phone game in your computer.
Yeah, it’s still fun.
Know sunrise or sunset times: Search “sunrise in [location]” or “sunset in [location]” to see when the sun rises or sets for that date.
Calm down: Feeling stressed or need a brief break?
Type “respiration exercise” into Google for a chilled, interactive guide instructing you when to inhale and exhale.
Find flights fast: Must get away or planning that long-overdue family visit?
Type “flights from [your location] to [destination]” and Google serves up a platter of options.
Bonus: Clicking “Flights” helps you to compare prices directly.
Search pro suggestions
These search secrets make getting the outcomes you would like easier and faster.
Filter by date: Be certain old links aren’t clogging your search results.
First, type in your phrase.
Then, tap on Tools, click on Any Time and click on on Custom range.
Just a little box called Custom date range will pop up, together with a calendar.
You may insert the beginning and end dates.
Exclude keywords: It’s annoying once you’re searching for one thing, and results for an additional keep coming up.
With this trick, you possibly can exclude keywords you don’t need.
Place a minus sign (–) before the word you don’t want.
Throw a plus sign (+) before any word you would like to stress as essential.
Seek for files: Type filetype: at the start of your search in case you’re searching for a spreadsheet, PDF, or one other document.
For instance, for PDFs, write filetype:pdf within the search, along along with your keyword.
Need an Excel spreadsheet?
Just type filetype:xlsx along along with your keyword.
Anything publicly available is just a number of clicks away.
Advanced Search: During your first search attempt, click Settings just under and to the best of the predominant text field and search for Advanced Search.
You’ll see multiple search fields.
You may filter your searches in any number of how to narrow all the way down to what you would like.
No, I would like this: Should you’re searching for something exact, add quotation marks to the word or phrase (e.g., “Kim Komando tech suggestions”).
Higher site search: Not every website has a great built-in search engine.
Search a site directly by placing site: directly in front of the URL, then follow it along with your search term.
It will appear like this: site:komando.com “google.”
Search social media: Put @ in front of a word to go looking social media, or add # in front to go looking hashtags.