AppleWorks 6 For Dummies

About This Book

If you have, or are considering using, AppleWorks 6, this book works for you.
AppleWorks 6 has so many features, chances are pretty good that you won't even use all of them ... until that fateful day when you need to do something you've never done - and need to do it fast.
We wrote this book with that type of real-life need in mind. Take it out, get the lowdown on a feature, and then put it away again. Maybe you need to use just one function, such as word processing or spreadsheets. Just go over that chapter. Of course, you can read the book from cover to cover. We made it easy to use the book either way.
We set up each section so that you can find the answers you need without reading more than is absolutely necessary. You can find plenty of cross-references in case you need more information. Technical Stuff icons mark information and computer terms that you don't have to deal with. Tips are clearly marked so that you can just skim them. The idea is for you to get in, get the information you need to solve the problem at hand, and get back to work as quickly as possible.

HOW This Book Is Organized

We divide this book into eight parts. Each covers a different area of AppleWorks. We divide each part into chapters, and then we break down the chapters; into bite-sized bits. You can quickly wolf down the morsels of information you need without getting mental heartburn.

• Part I: What Appleworks Does
  This part provides an overview of AppleWorks 6: its features, the methods and practices common to all areas of the application, and the on-screen help systems. This part points out the main environments or functions of AppleWorks, as well as what the other bundled software has to offer. You can find out about how to open and save documents, the parts of a window, the tools, the menus, and the buttons. This part is a good place to start if you're a beginner.
• Part II: Working With Text: The Keys to Success
  At some point, you'll need to work with text, whether to write a letter or to add captions to a spreadsheet or illustration. Text handling, whether in a word-processing document or in a text frame within another environment, is the focus here. This part is also where we introduce you to AppleWorks tables.
• Part III: Working with, graphics and Graphics-Based Documents
  You can create graphics by drawing or painting. We compare these methods here, followed by chapters focusing on each. When you want to create a company logo or add a diagram to your document, this is the place to go. It's also the place to find out about page layout - something that comes in handy because you can add text, spreadsheets, charts, and paintings to a draw document to do full-fledged page composition. We cover clip art and AppleWorks Internet search here, too. And then we get into presentations. Presentations are actually in a class by themselves 'cause they are one of the major new features of AppleWorks 6. We had to put them somewhere and most of the presentation tools are the graphics tools, so they're here.
• Part IV: Working with Numbers. It All Adds Up!
  Spreadsheets are the focus here, from formulas to formatting. Creating a chart (even one with custom icons) from your spreadsheet data is easy, so come here to find out how. Spreadsheets are also another kind of table, so if you want to use a spreadsheet for your table, come here for more details on formatting it.
• Part V: Working with Files: Smoothing Out the Rough Edges
  Databases are great places to keep customer or student records, or an inventory of your CDs, videotapes, or books. Discover how to create and use them here.
• Part VI: Mastering AppleWorks Internet and Automation Features
  AppleWorks offers Internet connectivity. We introduce all the basics here. AppleWorks also enables you to create Web pages. We cover that here, too. AppleWorks also lets you automate many tasks from both within and outside AppleWorks using AppleScript, and we get you started on that, also.
• Part VII: The Part of Tens
  In this part, we show you ten real-life uses for AppleWorks and solutions for ten problems you may encounter while using AppleWorks. In this case, two times ten equals a lot more than just the number 20. It equals lots of ideas and help.
• Part VIII: Appendixes
  If you want to make the most of the timesaving buttons in AppleWorks, Appendix A is for you. We show you how to add buttons to button bars, customize buttons, and create new buttons. For even more creative control, check out Appendix B. There, we tell you how to create your own patterns, gradients, and wallpaper textures to spice up your graphics.