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What Are the Different Benefits of Excel?

Posted on February 27, 2021 | by Offdrive

Are you new to Microsoft Excel?

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program used for documentation and data analysis. Excel is one of the most used data programs to date, with over 44 million users.

Excel continues to be a vital and effective tool for business productivity. When it comes to maximizing resources and collecting information, Excel is the best.

There are several benefits of Excel that you need to know. You can use it to calculate sales, marketing, management and read the data to get the wanted results. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of Excel.

Easier Data Organization and Storage

One of the many benefits of Excel is its ability to store massive amounts of data. Excel can store up to 255 sheets in a single workbook, and each sheet has over 1 million rows and columns.

Are you working with a larger scale of data? You can take advantage of Excel’s ability to operate on multiple cores.

Excel’s storage capability makes it easier for you to manage data. You don’t need to worry about using multiple apps to store customer information. Excel allows you to save time and effort by collecting all your data in a single location.

You may even change the workbook’s name and the sheets in it to organize your data. The basic workbook starts with a single worksheet. If you need to add a new sheet, go to the Insert tab or use the shortcut Shift+F11.

Working Together

One of the biggest benefits of Excel is that you can collaborate with other team members. Any user with a web-enabled device can access the workbook.

All you need to do is give access to the worksheet, and other users can make changes. You can also track these changes in real-time.

Working together enhances your ability to process and brainstorm new ideas. If you’re working with large amounts of data, this feature will make it easier for your team to manage. This increases workplace productivity and can enhance work quality.

The pandemic pushed many businesses to close their physical locations. Studies show that 42% of the United States’ workforce are now working from home full-time. Experts suggest that this will carry on in the future.

Many companies are planning to transition remote work into a more permanent format. This is where Excel comes in.

As mentioned prior, anyone with access to the workbook will see changes made by other users. You don’t have to worry about sending mass emails to your workers to inform them about changes. This helps you save time and focus on other important aspects of your business.

Powerful Data Analysis Tools

Excel allows users to not only store data but also to analyze them. Excel allows you to input predetermined formulas so that you don’t have to. You can also transfer CSV files into your spreadsheet for further analysis.

Here are some essential Excel functions you can use.

=CONCATENATE

This formula allows you to combine dates, numbers, and multiple cells into one cell. This is a great tool for people who deal with Java queries, API endpoints, and product SKUs.

=COUNTA

If you’re a data analyst, you may often encounter incomplete data sets. To find gaps in the dataset, use =COUNTA. This allows you to fix issues without reorganizing the present data.

=SUMIF

=SUM is the standard formula for adding numbers. However, if you need to get results based on certain criteria, use =SUMIF.

=SEARCH

If you need to find a certain set of information, use =SEARCH. Many Excel users utilize the =FIND function, but this is often case-sensitive. =SEARCH allows you to do a broader search and identify anomalies in the worksheet.

Works on Multiple Devices

Microsoft Excel is now available on all platforms. You can download the Office app on any iOS or Android phone or tablet. The new Office app combined Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for easier access.

You don’t have to download multiple apps for your file management needs. This allows you to save valuable storage space on your phone.

With the new app, Excel benefits users who often work on the go. If you often work on your mobile phone, tablet, or iPad, you don’t have to sacrifice your working capability.

Security

With more companies planning to digitalize business, security becomes a crucial factor. Cyberattacks are rampant. Each technological innovation means that hackers are getting more advanced.

Microsoft Excel provides high-tier security for users’ files. Excel users can protect their files with passwords. This is crucial if you deal with sensitive personal information, like bank accounts. This decreases the likelihood of a security breach.

Flexibility

Business owners and data analysts are not the only people who can take advantage of Excel. Excel allows you to collect and track any information. Whether you’re a business owner or a student, you can reap the benefits of Microsoft Excel.

Need help in managing your finances? Excel helps you collate information about your expenses, so they’re easier to track.

With Excel’s various tools and functions, you can create anything you need for work or school. If you need to print data, Excel offers a simple and straightforward tool. You don’t have to convert your file into a printable document.

You can use Excel to create tables for presentations for school or business. You may even choose a format or template to add visual appeal to your spreadsheet.

The Benefits of Excel for Work and School

Microsoft Excel is a powerful program that you can use at work or school. Learning Excel can be intimidating at first and overwhelm some users. However, once you learn how to use Excel, you too will see the benefits of Excel.

Excel is one of the primary productivity tools for workers and students alike. With many Americans working and studying online, learning Excel becomes essential. You may even encounter other file formats like DOCX and PDF.

Need to convert your Excel file into a PDF? OffDrive can make this easy. Check out our online file conversion tool!

What Is a WMA File and How Do You Convert It?

Posted on February 26, 2021 | by Offdrive

How can you play WMA audio files on any device without using Windows Media Player?

WMA is Microsoft’s own audio file format. It offers greater compression than the popular MP3 file type. And it sounds better at the same framerate.

However, WMA files don’t offer high-quality sound and they only work on Windows PCs.

This article asks what is a WMA file and how can you use them on any media player?

Read on to understand how the WMA format works. Learn the answer to what is a WMA audio file. Then discover how to convert these media types into other popular formats.

What Is a WMA File Type?

The Windows Media Audio format or WMA is Microsoft’s answer to the MP3 file.

It forms part of the Windows Media framework and contains a series of codecs and coding formats. These reduce the size of large music files to make them easy to transfer online yet don’t compromise on quality.

Formats like WMA are called ‘lossy’ because they tend to lose quality. ‘Lossless’ means the file retains the full sound but they produce larger file sizes. The key is to offer the best balance between them.

That’s why the WMA file format was created.

WMA Advantages and Disadvantages

Microsoft wanted WMAs to replace MP3s as the main lossy music format. They stated that WMAs sounded better compared to MP3 and the RealNetworks format at the time.

Technically, Microsoft was correct. The Windows Media Audio format offers:

great sound quality at low bitrates e.g. 64 kbps
better playback for CD-quality tracks
convenient for all Windows users

However, WMA is propriety software that’s designed to work on a Windows PC or laptop.

One of the major criticisms of the format is that it doesn’t work on other platforms by default. That includes millions of MP3 devices where WMAs will simply refuse to play.

Also, some people say they can hear a ‘tininess’ in the bass in WMA files that they cannot detect in other formats.

What Is a WMA File Extension?

The main file extension for Windows Media Audio files is .wma.

Yet, Microsoft also offers several other versions of the file including:

WMA Pro – supports high-resolution audio content
WMA Lossless – compresses audio without losing its quality
WMA Voice – for apps that support voice playback

If you want the highest-quality experience then choose the Pro and Lossless formats.

WMA Pro offers dynamic range compression which balances sound quality. It produces a stable sound level that also lets you hear the quieter parts of audio tracks.

The WMV extension relates to the Windows Media Video format for playing films and movies.

Playing a WMA Audio File

Support for playing a WMA file comes in Microsoft’s flagship media offering — Windows Media Player.

WMP comes free with all versions of Windows by default except RT. You might need to enable it, though. Follow the link above and click the button to do this.

Mac users can play WMA audio files within Quicktime using the Windows Media Components tool. However, the official link to this software isn’t working at present and the quality of these tools is debatable.

That’s why many people convert their Windows files into other open formats like MP3 and OGG.

Converting WMA Files

Converting complex files like Windows Media Audio is difficult if you don’t have the right tools. The process involves matching the correct codecs with the proper output format. One wrong bit or byte and the file won’t work.

The great news is that Offdrive does all the hard work for you and we do it for free!

WMA to MP3 Format

To save your WMA file as an MP3, follow these steps:

Visit this link: offdrive.com/convert/wma/mp3
Click the Browse button and select your WMA file
Check the box beside ‘I am not a robot’
Click the Convert WMA to MP3 button

Progress will display at the top of the screen. When completed, click ‘Download Now’ to save your new MP3 file to your drive.

You can then choose to convert more files or turn your WMA into an OGG file.

Convert WMA to OGG

Ogg Vorbis Audio or OGG files are similar to the MP3 standard.

Like WMA, the format produces a higher quality version that sees a reduced byte-size. Compressed data includes audio along with metadata like artist names and track information.

OGG files work on most modern audio players. They also play within a web browser using HTML through the

Convert your WMA audio files to OGG using our free online conversion tool.

Simply upload your file, check the CAPTCHA box, then hit Convert. Our servers take your track and convert it within seconds. Then you can download the new format and use it as you wish.

What Is a Protected WMA File?

A protected WMA file means that it’s guarded by digital rights management software (DRM).

DRM was a popular copyright protection method that music stores added to deter illegal file-sharing. More recently, DRM is being stripped from music files. Streaming has made the method redundant yet many older audio files still retain this technology.

Unfortunately, protected WMA files won’t work outside of Windows Media Player.

There are some tools online that attempt to strip away DRM protection but most aren’t legal. If possible, try to get the original file without digital rights added to it for the best playback.

WMA Conversions and More at Offdrive

This article has answered questions like what is a WMA file and how do you play them on a Windows PC?

Yet what if you don’t have a PC? Or you need to add WMA audio files to a website? Or simply want to play them on your phone or MP3 device?

Thankfully, Offdrive offers several conversion tools for you to work with WMA files. And conversion is totally free.

But it doesn’t stop with audio files.

Offdrive.com enables you to convert Word Documents into PDFs. You can even transform PowerPoint presentations into JPGs or PNGs.

View a complete list of our conversion services at the top of the screen. Then convert as many files as you want at no charge.

Gone Phishing: How to Spot an Email Scam

Posted on February 25, 2021 | by Offdrive

Are you concerned that the email you’re about to click on is a phishing scam? Do you wonder how you will be able to tell if it is a phishing scam or not? If so, then you need to learn about the telltale signs that an email is a scam or not.

Fortunately, there are several distinct signs. Scam artists tend to leave a lot of mistakes and generic messaging when they send out email scams, so you just need to keep a sharp eye out to avoid taking the bait.

See below for the several signs that you can use when learning how to spot scam emails and delete them at once.

1. The Subject Line Is Generic

Cybercriminals aren’t the most creative when it comes to sending email subject lines. That said, they could lure you in if you weren’t paying attention.

They tend to use current events as the main drawing point. So common subjects for them right now would include the COVID-19 pandemic, politics, vaccines, stimulus checks, and so on. You get the idea.

They’ll try to make the subject line sound urgent. As if you only have a few minutes to retrieve a benefit before it’s lost forever. If you ever see subject lines such as the ones below, you’ll need to check their validity:

Password Required At Once
Follow-Up Required
Offer for (your name here)
Invoice Due
Rescheduled Meetings: Respond at Once
(Your bank here) Account Policy Update
Rescheduled Meetings
Payment Status: Declined
Direct Deposit Declined
Expenses Due: Contact Immediately
Urgent Message for (Your Name Here)
Can We Talk?

Any time that you get a subject line similar to these, you should question them at once and perform some research.

For example, say you supposedly get an email from your bank claiming that your account is experiencing a setback. Go to your bank’s website and call the number on their site, not the one they give you in the email (which you shouldn’t have opened in the first place).

Tell them about the email that you received and ask them if it was really from them or not. If so, then you can proceed to correct it. If not, then just delete the email.

2. The Email Is From a Weird Address

Another common trick of the cyberattack trade is to pose as a recognizable brand with a long email address.

For example, if they’re trying to act as a bank reaching out about your “account being declined” then their address might be something just similar enough to get you to click on it.

The key is to look at the domain that the sender is from. At first glance, they might seem legitimate, but when you look harder, there are some noticeable differences.

Let’s say that you have a bank account with Wells Fargo. A cybercriminal might try to get you by surprise with an email such as “[email protected]”. Did you catch the errors in that email address?

First, Wells Fargo’s actual website doesn’t have a dash between the two names. Second, the actual site ends with “.com” not “.net”. Little differences such as these can catch people off-guard if they aren’t paying attention. If they have PDF files, don’t click on them. Simply delete the email.

3. The Text Is Too Formal

There’s one thing that almost all phishing scams have in common, and that’s being too overly formal with the text they embed in their email’s subject line, body, and so forth.

If it seems like the email could’ve been typed by a robot or someone trying too hard to sound professional, it likely was. Don’t click on the email, delete it then empty your trash folder.

This overly formal and generic text comes from cybersecurity criminals that are attempting to sound like a professional business. The catch (for them) is that most companies these days actively avoid sounding formal, as they know it tends to scare away clientele.

4. The Spelling and Grammar Are Suspect

It isn’t uncommon for the cybercriminal that’s targeting you to not even speak the same language. If they do, it’s broken and illiterate.

As mentioned earlier, cybercriminals couldn’t care less about the quality of the email body that they write. They just want to send out as many emails as possible to increase their chances of reeling in a fish.

You can almost guarantee that if you find spelling and grammatical errors in their writing, it isn’t from a legitimate corporation. Companies go through many rounds of edits to ensure they aren’t turning off their clientele with poor writing.

5. The Email Contains An Attachment

We highly recommend that you don’t open any emails that you suspect might be a scam. That way, there’s zero chance of them retrieving your information.

However, if you open an email from an unfamiliar source and see that there is an attachment included, it’s likely a scam.

The email attachment might contain a malicious URL that’s used to spread a virus throughout your PC and its supporting network. If you accidentally open an attachment, reach out for help at once.

Identify Phishing Scams With These Tips

Now that you have seen all of the different tricks to use for identifying phishing scams, be sure to use them to your advantage.

Be sure to read this article for more information on how to convert common file types. It will serve you well for years to come!

Remember, if the email you receive comes from an unknown source, don’t open it. Use these tips to reassure whether the email is a scam or not, then delete it.

The 6 Most Common Computer Problems and How to Solve Them

Posted on February 24, 2021 | by Offdrive

Whether you love computers or hate them, chances are you’ve been spending a lot more time using them recently.

Since the pandemic began, Americans spend an average of 13 (or more) hours staring at a screen every day. Many of us are working remotely at home, while our kids are attending virtual classes. After hours, the computer time continues with Zoom parties and Netflix binge sessions.

The last thing you need is some unexpected computer problems interrupting your work, studies, or leisure time.

If you’re trying to fix some common computer problems, we’re here to help. Keep reading to learn more about troubleshooting for your computer or laptop.

1. Your PC Overheats

Like all machines, your computer generates a certain amount of heat while it runs. However, serious problems can occur when the cooling system doesn’t work as it should.

If your laptop overheats, it will slow down the whole operating system. You may experience frequent crashes. Worst of all, prolonged heat exposure can damage some of your PC components.

To solve this problem, keep your computer (and the area around it) free of dust and debris. Open it up once a year to remove the dust, or take it to a professional for cleaning. You should also make sure there’s nothing blocking the cooling fans.

2. Your Computer Is Running (Very) Slow

Do you sit there waiting forever for your programs to load or your processes to run? Slowness is one of the most common computer problems for laptop and PC users.

If it happens occasionally, the easiest fix is simply to restart your computer. This will close any background programs or processes that may have been slowing everything down.

If you continue to have the problem, check your C Drive and RAM usage. You may need to defrag the hard drive to clear up some space or increase the available physical memory. It’s also worth shutting down unnecessary programs that don’t need to constantly run in the background, such as Spotify or Steam Client.

What if it’s your personal blog or business website that’s running slowly? Bulky file sizes could be part of the problem. Make sure you’re optimizing all images before you load them on your blog or website.

3. You Accidentally Deleted Important Files

Few things are as disconcerting as deleting a program or file, only to realize it contained important information. In very complex cases, you may need to take your computer to a data recovery professional. Most of the time, though, you can retrieve the deleted data on your own.

First, visit your computer’s Recycle Bin. If you haven’t emptied it recently, you should find the file and be able to “restore” it from there.

If that doesn’t work, check to see if you have data recovery or “undelete” software installed on your computer. Follow the necessary steps to locate and restore the missing data. Businesses who aren’t yet using this type of software should seriously consider installing it — just in case.

4. Your Internet Is Slow or Unresponsive

Troubleshooting internet problems should start with your WiFi or LAN network connection.

Assuming those are up and running normally, the next most likely issue is a conflict in the IP address registration. Reboot the router or modem to see if this solves the problem.

If it doesn’t, your web browser could be to blame. Clear out your cache and online search history. Check if there are any browser extensions that need updating and delete the ones you don’t regularly use.

Still dealing with a sluggish online experience? Try uninstalling and reinstalling your browser (or switch to a different one) to see if the problem persists.

5. You See the Blue Screen of Death

One of the most common computer problems is a STOP error, often called the “Blue Screen of Death.”

Don’t worry — it doesn’t mean your computer has died. It could signal an underlying hardware issue or system failure, but it’s not always that complicated.

Start with a simple reboot to see if this solves the problem. Before you shut down (or if the BSOD reappears), take note of the line of white text that contains lots of zeroes. Consult a list of BSOD error codes to get a clearer idea of the problem.

Depending on the issue, you may need to call a professional for assistance.

6. Your Computer Keeps Freezing Up

Even more frustrating than a computer that’s too slow is one that freezes up and stops working altogether. Oftentimes this is the result of too many programs and processes running in the background.

As always, start with a reboot to see if your computer regains its normal function. If it continues to freeze, there are few different things that could cause the problem:

Registry errors
Insufficient system memory
Corrupted files
Spyware or malware

Start by running a system check to see how much available memory you have. If that checks out, run your antivirus and malware programs to see if your computer is infected. These programs can find any errors or malware and tell you how to fix them.

Common Computer Problems: Solved!

Computer problems can really give you a headache, especially since they always seem to occur at the worst possible time.

The good news is that there are fast and easy solutions for the most common computer problems. Bookmark this list and refer back to it the next time your PC starts acting up!

Now that your computer is running smoothly again, it’s time to get back to converting files. Read our complete guide on how to convert the most common file types.

CSV vs XLS Files: The Differences Explained

Posted on February 23, 2021 | by Offdrive

Microsoft Excel is one of the most widely-used office applications and if you’ve ever created a spreadsheet with it, you’re probably familiar with its XLS files. This format has been around for decades, originally introduced in 1987 with the launch of Excel.

The CSV format isn’t as well-known but it has been around even longer, dating all the way back to 1972.

These file formats have quite a bit in common but there are some important differences as well. Let’s look at CSV vs XLS and how to choose the right format for your needs.

What Are CSV Files?

The CSV format stands for Comma Separated Values. These files are text-based files with data separated with commas or other separators such as spaces or tabs.

If you open a CSV file in a text editor, you’ll see something like this:

Data Point 1,Data Point 2,Data Point 3,Data Point 4

The commas tell apps that understand the CSV format where each piece of information starts and stops.

What Are XLS Files?

The XLS format stands for eXceL Spreadsheet. XLS is a binary file format that not only holds data but also formatting information, functions, and various other things that Microsoft Excel can handle.

If you open an XLS file in a text editor, you’ll see a lot of nonsensical computer code. It only makes sense to an app that understands the format, like Excel and other spreadsheets that can import XLS files such as Google Sheets.

The Difference With the XLSX Format

When you’re dealing with Excel spreadsheets, you may also come across files with an XLSX extension. Microsoft updated the XLS format when it launched Excel 2007 to add an XML layer to the files.

This change helped reduce the size of Excel files and made them less prone to data corruption. It also helped improve the way image formatting gets handled by Excel.

What Apps Can Open CSV vs XLS Files

Because CSV is a text-based format, any app that can read plain text will open a CSV file. For example, you could open the file in Windows Notepad and you would be able to read everything it contains.

It wouldn’t be formatted particularly well since you would be looking at the raw text separated by commas but you could at least see everything.

If you open a CSV file in Excel, it will look like any other spreadsheet. Excel interprets the comma separator to mean a new column and each new line in the file as a separate row.

XLS files, on the other hand, will only open in apps that understand their binary format. Excel is the obvious choice here but most other spreadsheet apps can import XLS files.

If you use some of Excel’s more advanced features, some of those things may not carry over to other applications but the data in the spreadsheet should import smoothly.

CSV Benefits

The plain-text format of CSV makes it more portable than XLS. You can open these files in any app that supports text files and manipulate the data easily.

This gives you the power to use advanced text editors and other tools to do things like search-and-replace or merge CSV files. Plain text uses minimal memory and storage so even a relatively low-end PC can quickly crunch the data.

Its portability also makes it easy to move between operating systems, such as Windows and macOS, without having to worry about compatibility issues. You could take a CSV file created 30 years ago in an early version of Windows and open it without any trouble on a modern Mac, for example.

XLS Benefits

While XLS files are not as universal as CSV, they offer a lot of advanced features through the Excel apps. You can create far more attractive layouts using different fonts, images, and charts, for example.

XLS files also let you take advantage of all the functions and data manipulation features in Excel. If you try to use those features with a CSV file you opened in Excel, it will warn you that it needs to be converted to XLS first.

How to Convert Between CSV and XLS Formats

Some file types are easier to convert than others. Converting between CSV and XLS is one of the easier processes because most apps that support the XLS format also support CSV.

Using Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet application, you can open either of the two file types and export it as the other.

If you’re converting from XLS to CSV, it’s important to keep in mind that you could lose a lot of information in the process. Any images, custom formatting, formulas, and other functions that are only possible with the XLS format will get stripped away when you save the file in a CSV format.

The catch here is that you need to have a spreadsheet application on your computer to convert the files this way. And in some cases, you have to have Excel which is not inexpensive.

The Easiest Conversion Solution

If you’re debating on CSV vs XLS and want to be able to convert from one to another easily, the best solution is to use Offdrive’s free file conversion tools.

You can easily convert from CSV to XLS or vice versa without needing any special applications on your computer. Simply upload your file and click convert. Our advanced servers will convert your file and you’ll instantly get a secure download link.

Use our CSV to XLS and XLS to CSV conversion tools to easily move from one format to the other with no special technical skills needed.

Getting Started With Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG)

Posted on February 22, 2021 | by Offdrive

Do you want to learn about an image format that’s used on 31% of all websites?

The Adobe Scalable Vector Graphics file format or SVG is one of the world’s most-used graphic types. Unlike JPEGs, an SVG can scale without becoming pixellated. And its small file size makes it popular amongst web and graphic designers.

This article helps you get started with scalable vector graphics.

We show you how to create your first SVG file using XML. Learn how scalable vector graphics apps like Illustrator make the process easy. Then explore how to convert SVGs into other formats like PDF.

Read on to see how simple yet powerful the SVG format is and how to best use it.

What Is a Scalable Vector Graphics File?

An SVG file doesn’t work in the same way as other popular file formats like JPEGs.

Instead of breaking an image into tiny pixels, it uses mathematical data called vectors. These vectors tell the computer to create graphics based on direction and magnitude. For example, SVG code tells the browser to draw a circle with a radius of 100 pixels.

The Adobe Scalable Vector Graphics format or SVG is written in a language called XML.

XML is a web markup language that provides a set of instructions for other apps to follow. In this case, creating a series of lines and shapes that combine to produce a graphic.

SVGs are very small in size so they’re great for sharing online. They also don’t lose definition when scaled which makes them perfect for logo creation.

Manually Create Scalable Vector Graphics

Want to make your very own SVG file? Then follow the instructions below.

Open your favorite simple text editor like Notepad. Next, enter the following code. You can either copy/paste it or type it in.

Finally, save the file as rectangle.svg and open it in a browser like Google Chrome. You’ll see an orange rectangle at the top left of the screen.

Congratulations! This is your first scalable vector graphics file.

Play around with the numbers in the tag. Make it wider by editing the width attribute or edit the color by changing the rgb() values. Then visit W3Schools SVG Tutorials to learn how to add circles, paths, and text.

Scalable Vector Graphics Apps

Building complex graphics like company logos becomes difficult if you manually write the XML code. Thankfully, several scalable vector graphics apps are available for you to draw and sketch.

Adobe Illustrator

Illustrator is Adobe’s flagship product for vector graphic design.

The application lets you create web and mobile app icons to packaging, illustrations, and billboards. It works on Windows and Mac platforms as well as iPad.

Adobe Illustrator isn’t free but you can use it as part of the Creative Cloud package for a monthly fee.

Inkscape

Inkscape is an open-source vector drawing tool that includes powerful features like:

bezier curves
freehand drawing
object transformations
gradient editor

You can build complex SVG files and export them as XML. From there, you can convert those files to other formats using Offdrive’s free online conversion tools.

Convert SVG to Other Formats

One disadvantage of using SVGs on the web is that older browsers may not display them correctly. Internet Explorer has a reputation for ignoring SVG animations or not rendering files at all.

To combat this, simply convert your scalable vector graphics files into a more popular format like PNG. But how do you do that?

SVG to PNG

Visit our SVG to PNG conversion page and upload your SVG file.

Confirm that you’re not a robot by filling out the reCAPTCHA. A button will appear stating ‘Convert SVG to PNG’. Click the button and the conversion will happen within seconds.

You can then download your new file or choose to convert more SVGs. The service is entirely free and has no file size limits.

Convert SVG to PDF

Adobe’s Portable Document Format or PDF remains a popular way to share content. Regardless of the information, you can be certain it always retains its format.

Scalable vector graphics PDF conversions are great for users with older browsers who want to see your files. The process is easy too.

Use our SVG to PDF conversion tool to upload and convert your files to PDF format.

Our powerful servers transform your content within seconds. We can also convert between multiple formats like:

SVG to GIF
SVG to ICO
SVG to JPG
SVG to WEBP

Check out our Image Conversion toolbox for the full list of options.

Animated SVGs

One final tip when creating scalable vector graphics is using them to build animations.

This feature allows you to craft beautiful graphics that move on-screen. You can even make short animated features that won’t hog bandwidth as movies do.

Editors like SVGator let you create your animated SVGs using standard drawing tools. However, you can code them yourself if you’re versed in XML and CSS stylesheets.

Here’s an example of a simple animated SVG file.

begin=”0s”
dur=”20s”
type=”rotate”
from=”0 60 60″
to=”360 60 60″
attributeName=”transform”
repeatCount=”indefinite”
/>

Save this content to a new file called ‘animated.svg’ then open it in Chrome. You’ll see an orange rectangle spin clockwise!

Edit the element to change the duration lengths and rotation points. But remember, animations won’t appear when you convert them to another format.

Convert Any File Online for Free With Offdrive

Scalable vector graphics let you create complex files that scale without compromising quality.

Using tools like Adobe Illustrator, you can make logos, designs, and graphics in the SVG format. From there, it’s simple to convert those files into PDFs or other formats by using Offdrive’s free online tools.

Offdrive.com lets you convert a broad range of files to other types.

Need to transform a Word document into HTML or rich text format? Use our Document Conversion tools. Have a 7Zip file that you need to open as RAR? That’s no problem with our Archive Conversion tools.

Visit Offdrive.com and select an option from the menu. Then upload your file, hit convert, and wait for our free conversion software to do the rest.

Convert SVG to EMF Files in 5 Simple Steps!

Posted on August 31, 2020 | by Offdrive

Did you know that the entire world uploads 1.8 billion images each day? You’re bound to use a couple of them right now.

If you have images and illustrations, you want to ensure that it has the best format for your needs. That’s why it’s always better to convert files using a web-based converter since you need not install it on your device. But without experience in these processes, you won’t know how to use them.

Don’t feel overwhelmed yet.

With our guide below, you’ll learn how to convert SVG to EMF using our converter. We’re also going to discuss these file formats and how they can help you. Read on and find out more:

What is SVG?

SVG is a format derived from XML used to show various graphics on the internet and other platforms. It’s a vector graphic format composed of simple, plain text files describing different image elements. These include curves, shapes, lines, colors, and accompanying text.

SVG files are readable by humans, meaning it’s easy to understand and modify. To do this, you have to use JavaScript or CSS. This nature gives SVG a broad degree of versatility that traditional image formats can’t match, whether it’s GIF, PNG, or JPG.

The SVG format is a W3C standard, meaning it can seamlessly operate with other open technologies and standard languages, like DOM, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. With W3C setting the industry standards worldwide, SVG will remain as the default standard for web browser vector graphics.

Benefits of SVG

Lots of websites use the SVG format, with 24.7% of all websites using it for their needs. Its true value lies in the fact that it remedies the majority of problems commonly found in modern web development. These are some things you should remember:

1. Scalability and Responsiveness

SVG uses numbers, shapes, and coordinates instead of pixel grids when rendering browser graphics. This makes images endlessly scalable and free from resolution. It’s the same concept as drawing a circle using a pencil or skywriting on a plane since only the scale will differ.

SVG allows you to combine various shapes, paths, and text to make various visual types. These will remain clear and crisp no matter how you adjust it. It’s unlike other formats with fixed dimensions since they pixelate when scaled.

SVG’s infinite scalability remains unmatched despite the responsive image techniques used by pixel graphics.

2. Performance

The size of the files you use on web pages affects its web performance. SVG graphics have smaller file sizes compared to their raster graphics counterpart. Take note, speed and performance affect how your visitors rate your website.

3. Programmability

Unlike most image formats, an SVG file has full scripting and editing capabilities. It means you can add various types of interactions and animations to drawings saved as an SVG file. Your primary methods of accomplishing this include CSS and JavaScript.

4. Accessibility

Since SVG files are text-based, you can search and index it. It means screen readers, search engines, and other gadgets can read them without issues. Compared to pixel-based graphics, SVG files are more convenient by design.

What is EMF?

EMF is the acronym for Enhanced Metafile Format. Its primary use is for printer drivers, functioning as a graphics language. It’s also for storing graphical images independently from devices, with metafiles consisting of records of varying length arranged in chronological order.

With this, EMF files render the image by parsing these records. These records contain important image elements like enclosed object definitions, drawing commands, and other graphics properties. When devices open EMF metafiles using their graphics environment, the properties of the original picture will remain consistent across various platforms.

Benefits of EMF

EMF is a great format since it has lots of useful features, like scaling, cropping, color support, and Bezier curves. Among these, its device independence feature is the best. It also supports metadata, which means the image can have text descriptions included.

How to Convert SVG to EMF

Converting SVG to EMF is easy with our online converter. You can accomplish this in five simple steps that even people without tech proficiency can follow. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Go to Our Homepage

The links to our various conversion pages are on our homepage. Ensure that you’re there to see the various file conversion methods in our arsenal. Use it for future reference, in case you want to convert more files to various formats.

2. Click the Image Conversion Option

On top of our homepage, you’ll see the navigation bar where you can access various file conversions. Among these, click on Image Conversion and select SVG Conversion. There, you’ll find the SVG to EMF conversion option.

3. Upload Your SVG File

On the resulting page, click the green Browse button. This opens a new window where you can browse the SVG file you desire to convert. Once you pick the right file, press the Open button to lock it in.

4. Complete the CAPTCHA Test

To prove you aren’t an automated line of code with malicious intent, complete the CAPTCHA test. This test’s design enables humans to easily solve it by warping the displayed text. This method, along with others, is almost impossible for bots to complete.

5. Convert the SVG File

After finishing the CAPTCHA test, press the big green “Convert SVG to EMF” button. This will kick off the conversion process. Depending on the size of your file and the speed of your internet, it might take anywhere between instantaneous to a few seconds.

Once done, press the Download Now button to save the resulting EMF file to your device. If you intend to convert more files, press the Convert More Files button instead. You’re done!

Convert More Files Today!

These are some things you should consider when choosing between SVG and EMF files. Use these to determine whether you should convert SVG to EMF or let them remain as is.

Did you learn something from our guide and are looking for more useful tips and tricks? If so, read more of our posts, like this one showcasing how to troubleshoot files you can’t open or send.

Do You Use MS Word? 10 Common Word Functions

Posted on August 29, 2020 | by Offdrive

If you’re anything like most people, you probably use Microsoft Word a lot. And for good reason. It’s an incredibly useful tool. But are you aware of just how useful it can actually be?

Sure, on the surface, it’s as simple as can be. You type some words onto the screen and save it as a document. Pretty easy, right?

But typing isn’t all you can do with Word. Not by a long shot. In fact, if you use Word that way, you’re barely scratching the surface of all the features and options available to you.

Word is a surprisingly deep and versatile tool with a lot of options at your disposal. By taking advantage of them, you can make your work a lot easier and more appealing.

Here, we’re going to take a look at ten common and easy to use MS Word functions.

1. Formatting

One of the most simple to use MS word features is the formatting bar.

Granted, there are a lot of formatting options in Microsoft Word. But luckily, most of them are condensed into a simple-to-use toolbar at the top of the screen.

This bar contains most of the basic formatting options you might need; indentation, paragraph spacing, font, and header options.

Each of these different parts gives you options right away to help make your documents look better. Most of them also have a drop-down menu that gives you more options to choose from. But we’re going to take a look at some of those options separately.

2. Insert

Another very useful tab that can be found at the top of the page.

The Insert tab allows you to insert all kinds of media into your Word documents. It’s a much easier and more efficient way to add pictures than a simple copy and paste, and it also allows you to embed video into your documents.

You can add so much more than that, though.

Tables and graphs are available to easily display information. Comments can be added to the document. Links to webpages can be inserted here, as can headers, footers, and page numbers.

3. Layout

A deeper expansion of the main formatting bar, the Layout tab is full of functionality that lets you manage the appearance of your documents.

From here, you can fine-tune the size of your margins, indentations, and paragraph spacings. You can also control line spacing, line breaks, and text wrapping.

4. References

A favorite of students everywhere, the References tab allows you to easily insert a variety of different references into your documents.

This tab includes options to include a table of contents and footnotes. It also includes an option to automatically include inline citations. It even allows you to specify the exact citation format. No more worrying about the differences between MLA and APA. Let Word take care of it for you.

5. Review

The Review tab has all sorts of helpful features to make proofreading your documents a lot easier.

Here you can run a spell checker throughout your document, compare versions of documents, and even have what you’ve written be read aloud to you by the program.

Granted, the text to speech voice sounds pretty silly, but it can still be a helpful tool to hear your writing read back to you.

6. Transform

Inside the file page, the same place where you go to save and open documents, there’s an option about halfway down the menu called Transform.

If you have access to Microsoft Sway service, this little option allows you to quickly and easily convert your Word documents into Microsoft Sway web pages that you can share easily.

7. Right-Click Menu

Right-clicking on the mouse in Microsoft Word opens up a drop-down menu full of a lot of commonly used functions. In this menu, you’ll find options to change the font type and size. You’ll also find some basic formatting, like paragraph spacing.

A few other tools are found here as well. The thesaurus option is a favorite. A quick right-click lets you spice up your writing with some fun synonyms.

8. Keyboard Shortcuts

Microsoft Word is absolutely full of keyboard shortcuts. To go over all of them would take all day, and there’s plenty that you won’t need often anyways.

But there are a few that are helpful to know. Most everyone knows the shortcuts for copy and paste; Control-C and Control-V, respectively.

But what about Control-Enter?

This is a very useful shortcut that immediately inserts a page break where the cursor is. What that means is the next time you start typing, regardless of how much space is left on the current page, your text will appear on a new page.

This is great if you find yourself mashing the enter key to get to a new page.

Alt-Space is another very useful one. This shortcut will take any formatting applied to the highlighted text and reset it back to the default settings.

9. Search Bar

If you find yourself digging through all the different tabs and buttons and can’t find the function you need, Word comes with a search bar built-in.

Just type the function you need into the bar, and if Word has it, it’ll show up.

You do have to be careful with your wording, but the search bar is still an extremely useful tool.

10. Save Different File Types

As with most other Microsoft programs, you can use Word to save your documents in a variety of different formats.

The default for post-2007 Word is DOCX, but you can save them in any text format you like.

Of course, if you accidentally save it as the wrong file type, you can always reopen it and save it as another type. Or you can use our free online file converter and we’ll take care of it for you.

Use MS Word Effectively With These Shortcuts

Because Microsoft Word is the most popular word processor in the world, even people who don’t run Windows take Word into account. Now that you’re equipped to use MS word more efficiently, it’s time to put those skills to use.

Did you find this article helpful? If you did, be sure to share it! If you’d like to see more articles like this, check out the rest of our blog.

How to Convert PDFs to EPS Files Online

Posted on August 27, 2020 | by Offdrive

Do you need to convert PDF to EPS online? Try it our way — it’s fast, easy, secure, and the best of all, it’s 100% free.

You can convert different types of files to EPS using our online converter. It uses advanced encryption methods to protect your files. After using our easy-to-use service, you’ll have an EPS file you can then use for whatever purpose.

You can open it in Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Autodesk AutoCAD, or in the later versions of Adobe Photoshop. You can also convert it yet again to traditional bitmap formats like PNG and JPG using the said programs.

But first, you need to convert PDF to EPS; we’ll teach you how below.

1. Visit Our Home Page First

Our home page is where our different conversion processes are. Here, you can choose all kinds of conversions to and from all kinds of file types. You can convert PDF, XLS, DOC, and TXT to PNG, JPG, HTML, DOC, PPTX, and more.

Right on our home page, you’ll find numerous PDF conversions. You’ll find PDF to HTML, TXT, EPUB, PNG, and JPG here among others.

If you look at the top, you’ll find tabs named “Archive Conversion,” “Image Conversion,” “Spreadsheet Conversion,” “Document Conversion,” and “Presentation Conversion.”

In the first tab, you’ll find conversions for 7Z, RAR, and ZIP files. In the second one, you can convert file types like JPG, PNG, PSD, and GIF. The one you need is under the fourth tab, “Document Conversion.”

Under it, look for “PDF conversion.” Here, you’ll see all the different conversions not available on the home page shortcuts. Look through the list to find PDF to EPS, and then click it.

2. Upload Your PDF File

Once you click it, a new web page will load. You’ll see the tabs are still on top of the page, so if you clicked the wrong one, you don’t have to go back to the home page to look for the right one.

When you’re sure you’re on the right page, begin uploading your PDF file by clicking the green button named “Browse…”

Click it; the page will prompt you to look for your file on your computer. Once you find it, click it and then press the “Open” button. You can only convert one file at a time.

On the text box is the name of the file you want to upload. Ensure it’s the correct file before proceeding to the next step.

3. Go Through the reCAPTCHA Step

For the next step, you only need to click the checkbox next to “I’m not a robot.” Don’t worry, it’s only to ensure you’re an actual human.

Wait for a few seconds to let it do its thing, and if all goes well, a green check will appear. If boxes of images pop up, it’s only an extra verification step. You only need to click the boxes with the object described by the CAPTCHA to complete this step.

4. Convert PDF to EPS Online

The CAPTCHA box will turn into a button that says “Convert PDF to EPS.” Click it and wait for the process to start.

Our website converts the file automatically and depending on the size of your file, it may take more than a few seconds for the EPS file to be ready for download.

You’ll get a “Processing, please wait.” message while we’re converting your file. A loading bar will also appear, showing you the progress.

Don’t worry, we’ll tell you when the file is ready.

5. Download Now

When the “please wait” message and progress bar disappear, a “Your conversion’s done!” message and two buttons will replace them.

One of which is the green “Download Now” button. Click it to get your EPS file. A pop up will appear, prompting you to name your file and choose a wise save location. You’ll also see the file format here.

Sometimes, you’ll get a ZIP file instead of an EPS file. This happens when your uploaded file has multiple pages.

Open the ZIP File

The ZIP file contains your converted files. Open it using your desired program and you’ll find more than one EPS file.

You can use apps like WinZip and 7Zip on Windows. Mac has a built-in zip program called The Unarchiver, which also works on zip files. These options are free, but you can use any program you have on your computer.

6. Got More Files to Convert?

Right next to the “Download Now” button is the “Convert More Files” one. It will take you back to the home page, wherein you can choose another conversion.

You can choose to convert another file without clicking this button, though. The tabs on top of the page are still present here, which means you can convert files without going through the home page again.

What if you want to convert PDF to EPS online one more time? The hard way is to look through the tabs to find this option again. An easy way is to go to the previous page by clicking the back button on your browser.

This takes you to step #2, so you can upload another PDF for conversion to EPS.

7. Worried About Security?

Note that when you exit the download page, you can’t access your converted file again. You can go back to it, but nothing will happen when you click the “Download Now” button again.

When you go back a page, click the “Convert More Files” button, close the window, choose another conversion from our tabs, or whatever you do that will take you to another page, both your uploaded and converted file will disappear from our servers.

This is safe for you, as no one aside from you will be able to access your files through our website.

Convert More Files on Our Website

Got more files to convert? Need to do more than convert PDF to EPS online? Feel free to use our services; they’re always free. They’re fast and safe to boot.

If you want a secure way to convert your files, our website is the place to go. You can also learn some tips here, like creating amazing PowerPoint presentations.

Should University Students Submit PDFs or Word Docs?

Posted on August 25, 2020 | by Offdrive

Have you ever stayed up all night finishing a big essay only to watch your formatting get jumbled when you uploaded it?

Chances are you submitted a Word Doc instead of a PDF. Do you know the difference between them?

Colleges are now offering more virtual and hybrid classes than ever before. Higher education is changing fast and so is the technology being used.

Are you about to start taking classes? Keep reading this article to understand the difference between these two file formats and which one is better for college students to be using.

What is the Difference Between PDFs and Word Docs?

Everyone has heard the terms “PDF” and “Word Doc” thrown around on campus or in class, but what do they mean exactly?

A Word Doc is a document that can be read and stored in the Microsoft Office environment. These files have an extension of DOC or DOCX.

They are both Word Docs. DOC is an older version of the software while the DOCX extension is used on files after Office 2007.

The Portable Document Format or PDF is an Adobe Acrobat Reader file. It opens easily in most operating systems and is compressed to save space. These files are opened like images on your computer.

Both formats can be used to create documents that include text, pictures, audio, and graphics.

One significant difference between the two is that a saved PDF is locked so recipients can’t make any changes to text or formatting. More people are choosing PDFs for this very reason.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is also a free program, unlike the Microsoft Office Suite. There are paid versions of Adobe Acrobat for people who want more advanced features, but you don’t need to get special software to read a PDF.

There are also alternatives to Adobe Acrobat you can use for free, including Foxit Reader, Slim PDF, Nitro Reader, Expert PDF Reader, and Google Drive.

PDFs or Word Docs: Choosing the Best Format for the Job

In general, PDFs are best for printing, combining multiple formats into one document, and sending files. This doesn’t mean you should discount Word Docs. They are very useful for word processing and editing.

The PDF format is very popular right now but it’s important to note that the Adobe program is not a word processor. You’ll still need Word to create a document.

When deciding on how to submit an assignment, always defer to your professor’s instructions.

By saving reports, essays, syllabi, or even job resumes as PDFs, students can protect their documents from being inadvertently altered during an upload. PDFs will also open no matter what software the recipient is using.

In 2018, an estimated 250 billion PDFs were opened. This file format is becoming the standard for many industries.

PDFs are especially popular in the business and legal communities because of the security they offer and their ability to do digital signatures.

Here are five advantages to using a PDF:

Your documents are more secure and they can even be password protected
PDFs are read like images so the file will open on all computers
Convenient for everyone to use, especially those without Microsoft Word
PDF compression ensures you aren’t emailing or uploading giant attachments
Images, graphics, or videos can be added to a PDF easier than a Word Doc

College students in many classes are required to follow strict style guidelines like MLA, APA, or the Chicago Manual of Style. Part of their grade is calculated on how well they format the document.

PDFs are helpful for students who want to preserve their documents while sharing them with a professor or classmates.

What File Formats Professors Like for Submissions

As we mentioned above, always defer to what your professor says and follow their instructions regarding online submissions. Some may ask for Word Docs, others may want a PDF.

We’ve found that more professors are now requiring their students to submit PDFs.

Even before social distancing was in place, professors discovered that PDFs were easier to work with. The formatting was always locked and they rarely encountered corrupt files.

The recent shift to online teaching means more professors are going to be using PDFs. They will use this format to upload course content into Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas or Blackboard.

Instructors and students nationwide are currently using Google Docs to send and receive assignments. The advantage of this program is that a student can house their document in the cloud and export as a Word Doc or PDF when needed.

PDF use has also increased at colleges and universities because of its accessibility functions. With a few technical adjustments, documents saved as a PDF can be used by students who are blind or visually impaired.

Assistive technology tools called screen readers can dictate for students with disabilities. Visuals within the PDF can also be tagged with alt text to describe what information is in the picture or graphic.

Did you know you can purchase or rent a digital textbook in PDF format rather than paying hundreds of dollars for a hardcopy?

Students are saving money and finding it’s easier to annotate or take notes with a digital textbook.

Need Help Converting Files?

Remember the points we made in this article when deciding between PDFs or Word Docs.

The good news is converting documents between these two formats is free, quick, and easy.

At Offdrive we offer many options for you to convert important files into multiple formats. Our most popular is DOCX to PDF, but our service allows you to change files to JPG, PNG, HTML, PPT, CSV, and more.

Select what conversion you want on our website, upload your document, and we’ll provide you with a secure downloadable file in seconds. It’s that simple!

Offdrive is a solution for college students who need to convert files on a tight deadline but don’t have the right software. Our blog also provides useful tech tips to help get you through classes.