By Jim Calloway

Today most workstations feature two or three monitors. Lawyers who use laptops always have at least one external monitor at their desk. Using two monitors became the workplace standard rather quickly as it didn’t take long to determine that this upgrade would save time. At a minimum, you didn’t have to use Alt-Tab so frequently to switch between programs.

Dual monitors became so ubiquitous that working out-of-the-office on a laptop with only one screen felt limiting. OBA Practice Management Advisor Julie Bays invested $99 to purchase a ViewSonic 15.6 inch portable monitor with build in stand to have two screens when traveling and considers it one of her favorite technology purchases. I have heard of lawyers attaching a second monitor to their laptops in depositions and can see how that would be useful.

If you have three monitors, you may have noticed one gets used less, probably the one farthest from your dominant hand. One valuable thing to do with the third monitor is place your Calendar there so it is always visible. In Outlook, right click on the calendar icon at the upper left and then choose Open in New Window.

Online Video Conference Call With Lawyer In Office

Place that window on the third monitor. Another idea is to place unfinished emails on that third monitor, so nothing gets forgotten because you were interrupted. Or maybe you dedicate it to capturing billable time!

It is relatively simple to split the display on a single monitor into two or more displays. Likely everyone reading this has used the Windows key plus right or left arrows to split the display vertically. But now, if you hover over the Snap Assist feature (between the – and the X in the upper right corner), you will see an option to split the screen from two to four displays of various configurations. Choose the option you want. You will see icons that will allow you to arrange all the displays.

The keyboard shortcut for this is Windows Key plus Z. This may be a good thing to try right now so you appreciate how easily it functions. Make sure you have several emails or browser windows open, so you get the complete demonstration.