ACT 2000 for Windows for Dummies

For years, we’ve all been keeping track of our activities by using some version of a to-do list. Some people write down all of their tasks on pads of paper and update the list every few days; others use daily planning books; and still others write everything on self-stick notes and paste them to the desktop, wall, and computer monitor.

With ACT!, you don’t make lists. You schedule a specific task and include the task’s date, time, and regarding information, and then you assign the task to a specific person. Then you use ACT! to help you to keep track of all your unfinished tasks. With Act! 2000 For Windows For Dummies in hand, you'll discover how to put the power of Act! to work for you and your business.

This book is filled with information that will help you to use ACT! 2000’s many timesaving and productivity-improving features so that you can grow your business, expand your career, save time, and make more money. Whether you're an experienced Act! user or someone who is new to the software, this information-packed reference tool will guide you through the following topics and more:

• Turning Act! into your electronic phone book
• Creating a new database
• Looking at Act! fields, commands, shortcuts keys, tool bars
• Understanding various tabs: Notes/History, Activities, Sales/Opportunities, and Group
• Entering information into a database
• Scheduling activities; using calendars
• Writing letters; including printing, faxing, and e-mailing
• Working with reports and layouts
• Managing and protecting your Act! database

Act! is a very powerful tool, on par with a top-of-the-line database or spreadsheet program. With help from Act! 2000 For Windows For Dummies, you'll be able to fine-tune Act! features to match your specific needs and use this tool to its fullest potential.

"Jeffrey Mayer's book will help you to grow your business and expand your career." — John W. Thompson, President and CEO, Symantec Corporation

Your guide to the leading contact-management software

Packed with tips on customizing ACT! for your business needs

The fun and easy way to set priorities, stay on track, and achieve your goals! Stay focused. Build relationships. Get ahead. In this authoritative guide, America's #1 ACT! and time-management expert shows you how to put the power of ACT! to work for you and your business. From contact management to project scheduling, you'll find out just how easy it is to get more done and grow your business.

Discover how to: Build a contact database Find people with lookups and queries Schedule activities and projects Create custom reports and mailings Manage e-mail, fax, and phone contacts Integrate ACT! with Outlook

The Dummies Way^™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

Get smart! www.dummies.com Register to win cool prizes Browse exclusive articles and excerpts Get a free Dummies Daily^™ e-mail newsletter Chat with authors and preview other books Talk to us, ask questions, get answers

Jeffrey J. Mayer is the president of the Chicago-based SucceedingInBusiness.com, the bestselling author of Success is a Journey, and the publisher of a popular ACT! newsletter.

Introduction.

PART I: Getting to Know ACT!

Chapter 1: ACT! 2000: An Overview.

Chapter 2: Getting Contacts into ACT!

Chapter 3: ACT!'s General Preferences.

Chapter 4: The Contact Window.

Chapter 5: Using Some Tabs.

Chapter 6: Defining ACT! Fields.

PART II: Using Your Database.

Chapter 7: Entering Information into Your Database.

Chapter 8: Viewing Your Contacts as a List.

Chapter 9: Adding and Removing Contacts.

PART III: Working with ACT! Contacts.

Chapter 10: Finding People in ACT!

Chapter 11: Performing AdvancedDatabase Queries.

Chapter 12: Grouping Your Contacts.

PART IV: Scheduling: A Play in Four Acts.

Chapter 13: Scheduling Your Activities.

Chapter 14: Scheduling Activities with SideACT!

Chapter 15: Using ACT!'s Calendars.

Chapter 16: Using the Task List.

PART V: Using ACT! as a Sales Tool.

Chapter 17: Creating Sales Opportunities.

Chapter 18: Managing Your Sales Opportunities.

Chapter 19: Creating Activity Series.

PART VI: Communicating with the Outside World.

Chapter 20: Using ACT!'s Telephone Features.

Chapter 21: Writing Letters.

Chapter 22: Faxing from ACT!

Chapter 23: ACT! and E-Mail.

Chapter 24: Working with Reports.

PART VII: More ACT! Features.

Chapter 25: ACT! and the Internet.

Chapter 26: Designing Layouts.

Chapter 27: Customizing ACT!

Chapter 28: Managing and Protecting Your ACT! Database.

PART VIII: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 29: At Least Ten Database Maintenance Tips.

Chapter 30: More Than Ten Technical Resources.

Index.

Book Registration Information.