organizing quotes

[Scrapping4Him]

How do you guys organize quotes that are not already a part of a DSP kit? Do you use a database so you can have multiple keywords for each quote? I realize most just do a search on the web like I do when searching for that perfect quote but sometimes you come across a great quote/saying in a LO that you've never seen before and it doesn't come up in web searches so you want to store it for future use. Right now I have just been using a Word document but I'd rather use something like my ACDSee to see all the quotes with a similar keyword. The only thing is I hate to bog down my ACDSee with a ton more categories. So I'm hoping someone out there has maybe done something like this in Excel.... Kathleen??? LOL you were my first thought because of your awesome spreadsheet for the pretty links.

[Kathleen]

Hi, Mandy! I should run for the hills on this one!!!

I am probably a horrible one to ask. Web searches are my most favorite place, which means no local organization. Then I have a notebook that I write down little tips and tricks in - at least it is better than a zillion sticky notes, but it certainly isn't searchable in a quick way. And if I come across a LO that has something I like, I add it to my favorites, or if it is not DSP, I save the image to a local folder on my computer. I browse through that sometimes if I am looking for inspiration.

As far as doing something in Excel .. it wouldn't be difficult! You could make the column going down the left side where you put the quote, the next column for who said it, and then subsequent columns to put an X in for a category - little girls, growing up, family, challenges, nature, etc.

I agree that ACDSee probably isn't the best tool for this, so I probably wouldn't go there.

[Scrapping4Him]

LOL - but you're always up for a challenge aren't you ;) :lol:

I had a feeling Excel would be the path I'd need to take. The only problem I foresee is that the size of some of these quotes can be big so scrolling through the spreadsheet after sorting by keyword could be lengthy. Hmmm... will have to think some more on this because there's gotta be something out there - heck maybe I just need to create my own little website for this :rolleyes:

[Kathleen]

You can set a wider column width for the quote, and maybe have a forced row height. Excel does have a maximum number of characters per cell, have to check what that is. I will think about it a bit and see if I have any great ideas.

[omio]

Mandy, I have years worth of quotes in a Word file because I collected them all the years I was teaching. (One of my faves, although unsuited for a LO, is "If the world were a logical place, men would ride side-saddle." :rofl: ) Unfortunately, I know that humongous Word file also has years worth of duplicates!!!

Re Excel (I'm a very OLD computer teacher--back to 1973), I think it would work to widen the column and then format the cells to wrap. If you have never done that, select a cell with a long quote in it and then go to format cells > alignment > wrap text. I use this feature all the time--love it.

Sometimes when you sort it doesn't carry the row height with it but you can just use the Format Painter (another of my fave tools) to get the rows cleared up. Oh, and if you aren't using Smart Filtering, it's just wonderful for sorting--I use it much more than the sort command.

BTW, I'm definitely not an Excel expert, especially when it comes to anything beyond simple formulas (and I was a math teacher!! :o) But I keep records of payments for our scholarship recipients plus info on donors in Excel so I'm relatively knowledgeable about dealing with text. :tup:

[Scrapping4Him]

Judy - thank you so very much for showing me how to use the auto/smart filter in Excel!!! That thing ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!! I just applied it to Kathleen's Excel spreadsheet for the pretty kit links and that alone is saving me loads of scrolling time! I'm in heaven :lol:

Oh, and if you aren't using Smart Filtering, it's just wonderful for sorting--I use it much more than the sort command.