[techtalk] WINDOWS - ALT + Tab: A Simple Trick to Boost Your Productivity

Tue Aug 22 13:19:38 PDT 2023

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WINDOWS - ALT + Tab: A Simple Trick to Boost Your Productivity

Novice

Do you often have multiple windows on your desktop open at one time? Or maybe you have so many different programs in play that the icons in the taskbar at the bottom of your screen aren't large enough to show you what each window contains.

Clicking on each icon or tab until you find the one you need will eventually get you to where you want, but that's awfully time-consuming!

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/dfd6bb20-4172-4ac6-8e28-315665410e4c.png]

Well, there's a faster way that makes it easier to get to what you want.

It's using the Alt + Tab keys to "toggle between programs."

We use this technique ourselves dozens of times a day to easily jump from one open program (or document) to another quickly. Doing this lets you see exactly what each window contains… and choose the one you want instantly.

Wait! If you're tempted to skip the rest of the article because you don't see the need for this shortcut (as you've got your own way to work), just give it a try! Use it five or six times today and you'll be hooked!

Be sure to watch the quick video above as well.

The Secret of ALT +Tab

When you're working and have multiple windows and / or programs open on your desktop, here's what you do when you want to switch.

[ALT  Tab]
·    Press and hold the Alt key. Then...

·    Press the Tab button once (while still holding down the Alt key). A new window containing a miniature version of each open application will appear in the middle of your screen.

·    The image for the window that you're currently working in will appear first in the list. (See below) You will also see a colored box surrounding the next open window. The software is essentially asking, "Is this the window you want to switch to?" (If so, release all the keys. You'll be in the new file.)

·    You'll also see the name of the document or window above each image.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/d01ba458-b10d-46cd-975d-0d87a98dd990.png]

·    To move the selection box to another window, continue to press the Tab button repeatedly until the corresponding icon is highlighted.

·    When you find the one you want, release the Alt key and the window/program you selected will automatically open on your screen.

Just try Alt + Tab and you'll be able to switch to new apps and docs instantly! You'll be using it throughout your day to shave time off your tasks.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/f8f1ecc8-4884-4c21-8ed0-cf647e6db944.png]

Communications: Presenting

Attention Span Less Than a Goldfish

Many of you may have heard that a human being's attention span is only 7 seconds. That's not meant to be a dig at anyone's inability to concentrate. It's the findings of repetitive brain studies.

In the year 2000, the average attention span was 12 seconds. In 2015 it dropped to 8 seconds. (OK, I always heard 7 seconds, but who wants to quibble about 1 second.)

The point is ... from a communication perspective ... we as presenters, team leaders or work colleagues need to be aware that people stop listening to us after 7 - 8 seconds. They're constantly receptive to the various stimuli around them, creating distractions.

Sooo, you re-engage them!

If you keep this in mind when you're talking (or writing), you'll want to be thinking about how to get their attention, over and over again. Small, subtle ways will work.

When you respect the brain's natural inclination to want to continually seek new awareness, you'll be more effective in getting people to hear all that you have to say.

FUNNY NOTE: Here's the article in TIME magazin<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0012M2iQ2-bBSB7HVKUx29Y7aBkQiC_KkwZr-F0s9uCsdPQ9i02ce-PzXYv0gmCrYzdqeDoxefPRaUUCXXtTMNFBfwG7Xfquk2JLXYkuzOhAqaqTWgb__h2BVx1G21FiAFv6Rr0mqOuhJxCfThGbnpvfj-WP8c8DpL9sAOmf42a6zj9ArvA0C06Lg==&c=j7omrUGySU9PggcZILlfOnuzTDVwljjWXq75T_eshXIUjNu-bZMwfQ==&ch=1nr5252wwOc8j6jXH9bgGlb9qntzH1KZNv0dfwM2c1kAYkod11QG1A==>e that mentions how the "notoriously ill-focused goldfish" has an attention span of 9 seconds ... 1 or 2 seconds more than us humans!

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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
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State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
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