You may not have realized that InDesign can auto-correct words as you type them. That feature has been around for years, but you have to turn it on by going to Edit > Preferences > Autorrect (Windows) or InDesign > Preferences > Autorrect (Mac) and checking "Enable autocorrect". The keyboards shortcut is Ctrl/Cmd-K.

InDesign's auto-correct comes with a long list of commonly misspelled words already programmed in. You can view that list and edit it. You can even add to the list, and that's where the savvy user can turn InDesign into a robot secretary.

This article originally appeared on InDesignSecrets.com, which recently introduced free membership. Benefits include access to restricted content and discounts on goods and services.

This article is excerpted from the August/September 2009 issue of InDesign Magazine, #31. Subscribe to InDesign Magazine.

Pros: If you require text changes to be tracked in your InDesign files, CtrlChanges gets the job done and is simple to use.
Cons: Difficult to see the text in tracked deletions. Must buy pricey Pro version to see which user made certain changes.
Score: 3.5 [Editor's note: InDesign Magazine uses a 5-point rating scale]

Based on articles originally published in the DesignGeek e-zine.

Let's say you're in Acrobat and you need to add text to a PDF, maybe in the margin or under an image or to fill out a static form field, and you want that text to appear in printouts, just like the rest of the text. The original file that was exported to PDF isn't available; all you have is the PDF itself. Which tool do you turn to?

If you're new to this series, you may want to start from the beginning:

HerGeekness Says: Convert a File, Any File

HerGeekness Says: Convert Any File Part II

I Have a PDF. Now What?

In the previous installment of this column, I introduced you to my favorite file-format conversion utilities, little helpers that let you open client-supplied files in the program you prefer. Unfortunately, even if you have every utility I mentioned, you’ll still encounter file formats for which there is no converter.

I bet they forgot to tell you in design school that you need to become an expert in computer file formats to survive, let alone succeed, in our field.

Consider graphic file formats. Your clients and vendors assume you know the limitations and appropriate use of all the image file types: JPEG, TIFF, PSD, AI, EPS, GIF, PNG, DNG, BMP... Tell me, did you take that class at Design School U?