Mac Tip for Getting Arrow Keys to Work with Google Docs Spreadsheet

I use Google Docs a lot to share spreadsheets with other workers.  This allows workers to collaborate on the same document from different computers, devices and from different places.

The other day I was trying to quickly review some information on a very large Google Docs spreadsheet and found that my arrow keys were not working to let me quickly move from right to left horizontally through the spreadsheet.

Found out that if you switch the view of the spreadsheet from the spreadsheet view to the list view and back to spreadsheet view that arrow keys became functional again.

Hope this helps someone else who has had this same problem. Tweet

Alex Reads Me My PDFs

While on my treadmill, I try to do something productive to keep my mind occupied and less on the exercise.  Lately I've been trying to read some pdfs of books or manuals while walking or cycling in the fitness center.  I really like audio books as they are easier to manipulate, especially on the treadmill.

I have been pursuing the means to have my pdfs or books read to me. I have found that there are a couple of ways to accomplish this feat if you don't mind a robot reading to you.

First Attempt - Using Voice Over with iBooks

First, I tried using the built in "voice over" option on my iPad. This entails enabling "voice over" in the Settings of your iPad. Under General, you will find "accessibility" option> triple click home button> which I set to "voice over."  When you want something read to you on your ipad, you enable the voice over by hitting the home button rapidly in succession three times.  When you do this, the other home gestures get really confusing. Selecting something then requires two clicks of home button instead of one.  This can be frustrating at first.  Usually I only turn this feature on after I have started iBooks.

Once I have iBooks running and have selected a pdf file to have read, I then triple click the home button turning on the voice over (which is a woman's voice).  Then you have to select the first word or sentence (which can be tricky) and using two fingers swipe downward.  The voice will start reading and continue through the article.  It is pretty frustrating at times, but once it is engaged, works for the duration of my workout.

Second Attempt - Audio Created Using Cntl Clicking Selected Text

Today, I decided to try a different method.  The Mac system allows you to select text in a pdf file that you load into Preview, and then to control click the selected text.  You will see an option to send text to iTunes.

You have a choice of voices (I select Alex).  You choose where to put the audio files in iTunes.  I usually just put them in the Music section.  

Generally, I select one chapter or a section of the pdf or book.  I send each to iTunes.  Using command I in iTunes you can enter the author's name, edit the chapter title, add a track number and any other information you wish like Genre: Books to each audio clip.  

When I finish saving each track or chapter to iTunes, I then create a playlist, sorted by track to get them in order.   

 Moving Audio Files to My iPad without Syncing

Next step is to move these files to a folder on your desktop.  Using command-shift N, create a folder on your desktop. Now select all the files in the playlist and drag them to the new folder.

Note: I have set my iTunes preferences> devices> to NOT auto-synch my devices (ipods, ipads, and iphones).  

Run iTunes.  Connect your iPad to your Mac. Your iPad should show up under devices in the left-hand side of the iTunes window. Select Apps tab.  YOU WILL NOT BE SYNCING.
To move the files to your iPad without having to sync your iPad is accomplished by using the File Sharing option available under the Apps tab.  SCROLL DOWN to see this section.

I use the GoodReader app to read pdfs and also to access documents from Google Drive (Google Docs) and to also listen to audio files.  When I scroll down in my Apps Tab, I see a list of apps that allow transfer of files from my Mac to my iPad/iPhone without having to sync my devices.  It is especially nice to use this method to add files to your devices that are on your Mac laptops or other computer than the one you originally used to sync your device.

I select GoodReader from the left hand column and then see the files that are currently stored on my ipad in the right-hand section of the window.  I then select all the files on my desktop in the newly created folder and drag them to this right-hand section.  They are now quickly moved to my iPad. DO NOT click the SYNC button - it is not used to transfer these files!

I then eject my iPad using the small up arrow next to my iPad device name in the far left-hand column (under Devices) and disconnect my iPad.  Whoala!  I now have the audio files in GoodReader My Documents section and I merely click on the audio to listen to the book.  Alex reads to me.




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Using Google Docs for Travel Plans

When you are planning a trip or vacation, it can be a daunting task to keep up with all the information that you need in the way of travel papers.  I often use Google Docs to coordinate information between family members, that may also be going on the same trip, or as a means to leave itineraries and necessary contact info for those who remain behind.

Normally, I just create a spreadsheet from scratch, entering my itinerary or upload a copy of an itinerary that I have received from a travel agent.  Today, I thought I would search the myriad of templates available on Google Docs for some that might be useful for this sort of information.  It is always nice to find a good template, that has been thought out, to just use as a place to put the information.

Today I started searching the templates, page by page, and then realized that there was a search box at the top of the Google Docs template page that allowed me to enter the word Travel  to narrow the possibilities.  I came across this nice template, that will certainly be easy-to-read and provide a means to create most travel itineraries.  

Another great thing about using templates and Google Docs for your travel planning is that you can easily Share with others, allowing them not only to see the information, but also to edit the information in the situation where there are multiple members attending the same events.  Many times my family and I set up a packing list, just as a reminder to all going on the trip to remember all the important things like: electronic gadgets, charging apparatus, batteries, passports, and such.  When you share a document like a list, then you can not only provide valuable information for others, but you can also find information on items that you might not have remembered.

I also like to scour the internet for maps of areas, descriptions and free online guides for cities and sites we might visit, as well as, suggested things to do or see, with directions or phone numbers.  These often come in handy.  I often email them to my iMap account ( me.com) and then I will have access to them on my iPhone or iPad, even while on the plane, train, or in the car, when I am not using wifi or 3Gs connections.  Since, we travel overseas, it is not always economical to pay large download and roaming fees to access this type of info off my mobile devices.  So, I make sure I have info available in a form that I can access, either in an email or downloaded prior to the trip to my iBooks or GoodReader apps for reading offline.

If you haven't tried out Goggle Docs, you should it is a great way to keep everything together in one place when planning a trip.  You can share the info with others, edit it, and download the results to access later.

Of course, there are a myriad of ways to use Google Docs, this is only one of ways that has proven useful for keeping my travel papers in a handy place.

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