Windows: to delete an item permanently (eg, file), use Shift + Delete (bypassing the Recycle Bin).

Outlook: when setting the date for the current month, just type in the date and Outlook will automatically do the rest. Eg, to make an appointment for August 20 just type 20 in the date section of the start time and Outlook will set it as Mon 20/08/2007 (or whatever is your preferred format).

Word: to highlight a section of text vertically (eg, putting the first word(s) of a series of bullet points into different font/text size), hold down the Alt key as you move down through the places you want to highlight. Then you can perform whatever action you need on all the words (delete, format in bold, etc).

Internet Explorer: to find a word on a web page, from the Edit menu pick Find and type in the word (or use Ctrl+F).

Useful websites: for those on leave wanting to know the location of a place, nearest bank, etc, try Google Maps www.maps.google.co.uk.

For those still working and are starting to think about Christmas gifts, try Happy Box. They have a PA rewards programme (called Many Happy Returns) that was launched at the Crème show. Every time a PA buys a gift on behalf of someone in his or her company, the PA also benefits. For fuller details: www.happyboxlondon.com/acatalog/parewards.html

Reader’s question: e-mail etiquette. Anna from London asks: “To keep the e-mail short, what is best practice when editing an e-mail before replying/forwarding?”

You can edit out all the surrounding pleasantries but make sure to leave sufficient detail for the recipient to know what the e-mail is about. If you edit/delete all the original sender’s text and then reply with just “yes”, there is a good chance that the sender may have forgotten the context of the original e-mail. When forwarding, the same applies but make sure you check the whole e-mail — many an e-mail has been forwarded containing remarks about the person to whom you are about to forward the e-mail!

— Do you have a question for Monica? E-mail creme@thetimes.co.uk

Times Recommends

• Inspirational leadership
• How to get a new job
• The reluctant CEO