Basic Computer Concepts

How do you get help and tips from the Office Assistant?

Probably the most visible new feature in Office 97 is the Office Assistant. The Office Assistant is (usually) an animated character that provides help and tips as you work. The animated character that looks like a paper clip is called Clippit.

To get help from the Office Assistant, click the image of the animated character. If the image isn't showing, click the Office Assistant toolbar button . Many times the Office Assistant will try to anticipate your question and offer specific help topics. For example, if you are entering items in a number list and you click on the Office Assistant, it will show help topics related to bulleted lists. If one of the offered help topics doesn't answer your question, type a complete sentence or question and then click Search.

There are two types of people in this world: those who think the Office Assistant is cute, and those who think it is annoying. If you don't want the Office Assistant watching your every move you can turn it off by clicking on the Close button in the upper right-hand corner of the Office Assistant. To show the Office Assistant again, click on the toolbar button .

The Office Assistant also offers tips on working more efficiently. When the appears, click it for a tip related to some action you just performed. For example, if you use the Format option from the menu command to change the style of a word, you might be given a tip for a keyboard shortcut.

Many of the features of the Office Assistant can be customized. To change the settings of the Office Assistant, click the Office Assistant and then click Options.