January 17th, 2005
Properties Box
One of the most important Notes features that
all users should be well trained in is the Properties Box. It can
be accessed several ways including selecting Edit - Properties from the
Notes menus, pressing ALT+ENTER on your keyboard, or clicking the icon
on your toolbar. The Properties Box is dynamic, meaning it displays
different information depending on the context of when it is opened. On
the top left corner of the Properties Box is a drop down list that allows
you to select which object you want to see the properties for. The
list may include items such as the current database or the document you
are in. Additionally the list may include several special items
such as text, picture, or table depending on what object is active or selected.
The Properties Box has a series of tabs along the top. Each tab provides
a grouping of related information for the currently object. For
example, when entering text (one of the most useful times for using the
Properties Box) you will see all the formatting adjustments you need in
one convenient location. You can change fonts styles, size, color,
row alignment, list/bullet options, line spacing, margins, borders, and
much more.
Many of my upcoming tips will involve the Properties Box, so please familiarize
yourself with it. If you leave it open as you work (you can move
it to anywhere on your screen by clicking on the title bar and dragging
your mouse), you'll be able to watch it dynamically adjust as you move
about your daily tasks. Take some time and investigate the information
it presents to you. I think you'll find it extremely helpful.
One final note for this tip. Notice the Properties Box has 3 icons
on the top right corner. The first let's you collapse the box down
to just the title bar so that it take up less space on the screen.
The second is for help specific to the tab you have open which is very
useful. The third allows you to close the dialog box.
