Help me use Office’s Quick Access Toolbar – Make our software learn

By Adam Cogan in Word 0 Comment

I don’t see users (aka knowledge workers) use the Quick Access Toolbar… I don’t even see advanced users like developers use it.

I think it would be great to have it automatically learn how we use the application and put shortcut commands there.

Then encourage me to use the shortcut commands, by having it give a visual indication (eg. flash) when I use the normal slow menu.

Figure: It would be great to see the Quick Access Toolbar grow from this...

Figure: It would be great to see the Quick Access Toolbar grow from this…

Figure: To this... automatically

Figure: To this… automatically

PS: I would also like to see it in VS.NET

Outlook 2010 – Help me fix this annoying behaviour of “Check Names” (aka Control + K)

By Adam Cogan in Outlook 0 Comment

If I type “Brian”

Figure: Then click "Check Names"

Figure: Then click “Check Names”

It will change to “Brian Norton”
Instead of giving me a choice of “Brian Norton” and “Brian Noyes”

Figure: The reason is it only looks in the "Global Address List"

Figure: The reason is it only looks in the “Global Address List”

Figure: I want it to also look in the "Contacts" Address Book too.

Figure: I want it to also look in the “Contacts” Address Book too.

PS: My iPhone uses the same data, but works as I expect.

Summary points

  • It should work out of the box (BTW it shows both “Brian’s” out of the box, for my iPhone).
  • This option, should be more discoverable.

Suggestion for the Outlook Team

Figure: Change the "Check Names" button to this style

Figure: Change the “Check Names” button to this style

Figure: Make the order more discoverable by adding Change Order under Check Names button that would take you to Address book

Figure: Make the order more discoverable by adding “Change Order” under “Check Names” button that would take you to
Address book

Figure: Address Book

Figure: Address Book