# Using advanced features of computer applications

From the official document:
    "This unit defines the competency required to use computer applications employing advanced features."
Basically, that means pushing your familiar word processing, spreadsheet or database application a little bit harder than the average user - unlocking and using those features that everyone pays for, but few know about.
You can read more about this unit on the National Training Information Systems Official document for ICAU3126A.
This unit is part of the following qualifications:

## How this unit will help you

After learning and applying the skills required by this unit you'll be able to demonstrate your skills in:
* Creating and employing objects (buttons, drop down lists, etc.), macros and templates for routine activities
* Using shortcuts and features to increase productivity
* Import and export data in a variety of formats
* Link and embed data from one application into another.
* Using on-line help, manuals and training booklets to overcome difficulties with applications
* Accessing technical support for system problems using troubleshooting results and alert messages

## Ideas for learning the required skills
### Microsoft Office
#### Finding Help

* press F1 while using any office application
* visit office on-line help
* browse or ask questions on the Tech Support Guy business applications forum

#### Templates

* work through Charles Kyle Kenyon's chapter on Template Basics in Microsoft Word or
* the Microsoft Most Valued Professional series on creating a template

#### Macros

* Work through this introduction to Excel VBA. If you like, try lesson 2, 3 and 4

### OpenOffice.org
#### Finding Help

* oooForum.org - one of the best supported forums on the web
* In any office application click on Help | OpenOffice.org Help or press F1 to open the OOo help pages. OOo contains help for Writer, Calc, Base, Basic, Draw, Math, and Impress.

#### Templates

* read through the Linux Journal article on OOo templates
* work through Linux Magazine's article on templates (pdf)
* try some of the examples in xml.com's hacking open office
* search swik for articles tagged with 'OpenOffice' and 'Templates'
* Check out templates for Abiword (Abiword is another FOSS word processor)

#### Macros

* Work through some examples on openoffice.org's how-to page
* Download, read through and experiment with the examples in Andrew Pitonyak's (300 page!) macro document
* Look through Sun's StarOffice 8 Programming Guide for BASIC
link title

### Exercises

Try these Applications_Challenges

## Ideas for demonstrating this unit

The best way to demonstrate these skills is to create some simple macros and templates and attach them to buttons and/or keyboard shortcuts. Some ideas for projects:
* automate the import or export of data in different formats
* make a shortcut that adds your name and address to a document
* create a lookup (pivot) table from some data
* running a mail merge from a database or spreadsheet
You might also write some user instructions for a complicated or advanced process (such as nested if statements in a spreadsheet or doing a mail merge)

## Grading

If you are demonstrating this unit as part of a formal course, you might find that the unit is graded (meaning you can not only demonstrate your competence, but can also gain a credit or distinction). Your facilitator may already have set criteria that your college uses. If not, here are some ideas for possible credit/distinction activities that you can discuss with your facilitator:

## Notes and discrepancies

* there's a lot of overlap between this unit and ICAB3018A Develop macros and templates for clients using standard products and ICAU3028A Customise packaged software applications for clients, and they could easily be run together with some common assessment