Indexing: Make switching between columns easier
When indexing in the column entry mode I'm having a hard time going between columns. The buttons are really small and hard to find when switching from column to column.
I would like to see the buttons enlarged so it is easier to quickly switch between columns and maybe a rectangle instead of a small circle. Or alternatively, have a keyboard shortcut to switch between columns. That might be even more efficient. It's particularly a problem when I'm indexing city directories and I need to add a spouse to one entry and then come back to the name column.
I realize that not every project is appropriate for the use of column entry, but the city directories is one of those projects. It would be so nice to be able to switch between columns easily.
Answers
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Although this helpful page does not say this, you can hold down on your CONTROL KEY and use all of your ARROW KEYS to go various places one cell at a time in the column entry mode. It says it works in Table mode too. This also works in Field mode.
Yes, I agree with you that the circle buttons with the arrows at the top of the column are too small. I rarely use those now that I am used to using the control arrow key combination.
In case it interests anyone, I timed my indexing with and without wives in the batch. I discovered inputting is 16% faster when there are no wives listed on the record, since we don't include husbands of widows either. It also speeds things up with commercial listings now omitted.
I am just a volunteer indexer here, not an official helper.
What an enjoyable project City Directories are!
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You are AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing that. I had no idea where to find those combinations. You just might be my new favorite person! I tried the arrow key trick and it works so well!!!
And yes, wives are hard. I don't mind the wives as much as having to index their last name (which if it is the wife, the last name is usually the same...)
But yes, City Directories are so much fun to do!
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@HBaer You can also you Ctrl + for Windows or Com + for Mac to make the screen bigger. This works on most web pages. Have fun indexing those City Directories!!! They are such a great resource. Sam 😀
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I have found that using the table mode for the City Directory project keeps information more organized than does the column mode and stops accidental mix up of different names of the people. Also, when reviewing, it is very easy to see that some indexers are failing to read all the instructions. For instance, the instructions state to not include the name of a spouse for a widow and when indexing the name of the wife, the husband's surname should be put in the spot for her surname.
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You all are so helpful! Thanks so much! Rosalie I just found table mode and it's amazing for the directories! I don't know why I didn't use it before! Thank you all for your help!
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HBaer-In the table form, if you blank the prefix field, the spouse surname, given name, and prefix, in the top row, you can then then copy them down the document with the repeated icon ( the one that copies the information in a field and puts it in every field in that column). After a field is blanked, you can still add any information in it, but you don't have to manually blank those fields individually. I just wish there was a keyboard command that would copy the surname at the beginning of the line and put it in the spouse surname field.
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