Saturday, April 13, 2024

From Concatenating Confusion to Excel Confidence

As the end of the semester looms like a dark cloud over my head, my stress levels are soaring higher than the monthly utility bills awaiting payment. Homework assignments and labsims are piling up higher than my pending bills. Amidst the chaos, I stumbled upon a word I never thought I'd encounter: CONCAT. 

In the realm of Excel, where I once navigated solely with arithmetic operators, CONCAT seemed like a foreign concept. IS101 introduced me to this enigmatic term, and for three long weeks, I grappled with its mysteries.

Each attempt to understand the CONCAT felt like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. Frustration and disappointment became my constant companion. But today, a breakthrough emerged from the fog of confusion. 

I finally cracked the code. The "aha" moment struck like lightning, illuminating the path forward. And to my surprise, I effortlessly transitioned from CONCAT to TEXTJOIN, a feat I never thought possible without resorting to Google. CONCAT offers versatility with multiple delimiters, while TEXTJOIN is limited to one, applying it uniformly throughout the formula. 

Relief washed over me like a comforting hug. Now armed with newfound confidence, I'm prepared to take the Excel exam. This journey from confusion to confidence has truly been life changing.

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Fun with Fonts

Hey there, font enthusiasts! Let's talk about something that might seem small but can make a big impact: fonts! 

So, before I dive into the nitty-gritty of fonts, let me confess something: I used to be a bit clueless about them. 😅 Yup, you could say I was "font-challenged" before I enrolled in IS101. But hey, we all start somewhere, right? 

Now, let's get into it. My go-to font of choice used to be Script. Why? Because it's fancy, period. Those elegant loops and swishes just speak to me. Whether I'm crafting an email or whipping up a PowerPoint presentation, you can bet your bottom dollar that Script is making an appearance. 

After years of sticking with Script, I finally decided to switch things up. That's when I stumbled upon Century Gothic, a real hidden gem. It's sleek, modern, and ideal for formal presentations or impressing suppliers with a sharp letter. And here's the kicker: just increase the font size a bit, and voila! You've got yourself a report that's easy on the eye. 

But let's not stop there. Word boasts a goldmine of fonts just waiting to be explored. From classic to quirky, there's something for every occasion. And here's the kicker: choosing the right font isn't just about aesthetics. It's also about making sure your message gets across loud and clear. After all, readability and design go hand in hand. 

So, whether you're a font newbie like me or a seasoned typeface aficionado, take some time to play around with different fonts. Who knows? You might just find your new favorite. And hey, if you ever need a font recommendation, you know who to ask. 😉