Blog
Guides for the tools on this site. Each one explains a task in simple steps and names its sources.
The History of Morse Code
From Samuel Morse's idea in 1832 and the first message of 1844 to the international code of 1865, radio, SOS and the end of its use at sea.
What Does SOS Mean?
SOS is the Morse code distress signal: three dots, three dashes, three dots. It does not stand for anything. How it is sent and where it came from.
How to Learn Morse Code
Learn Morse code by sound, not by sight. The Koch and Farnsworth methods, the letters to start with, a study plan and the mistakes to avoid.
Morse Code Numbers and Punctuation
Morse code for the numbers 0 to 9 and for 18 punctuation marks, the simple rule behind the digits and which marks are in the ITU standard.
Morse Code Alphabet Chart
The full Morse code alphabet from A to Z in a chart, with the timing rules, letters grouped by length and tips to read the chart.
How to Find and Remove Invisible Characters
Find hidden characters by counting them, then remove them by their Unicode code with find and replace. With the exact patterns to use.
What Is a Zero-Width Space?
A zero-width space is the Unicode character U+200B. It has no width and marks a place where a line may break. Uses, problems and how to remove it.
Invisible Characters Explained
An invisible character shows nothing on screen but still counts as text. The three types, what each was made for and the problems they cause.
Fancy Text for TikTok and Discord Names
Fancy text works in a TikTok nickname and a Discord display name, but not in the username. The official rules of both apps, the limits and the steps.
How to Change the Font in an Instagram Bio
Instagram has no font setting for the bio. Write the text in a fancy text generator, copy a style and paste it in Edit profile. Steps, limits and what to avoid.
Fancy Text and Accessibility
Screen readers skip fancy text or read each letter by its long Unicode name. What blind readers hear, who else is affected and how to use it with care.
Why Fancy Text Shows Boxes
Fancy text shows as empty boxes when the device has no font that can draw those characters. What the box means, which styles are safest and how to fix it.
Fancy Text Is Unicode, Not Fonts
Fancy text is not a font. Each styled letter is a separate Unicode character, which is why it survives copy and paste. How it works and what it costs.
How Long Is a 500 or 1,000 Word Essay?
A 500 word essay is about 1 page single-spaced or 2 double-spaced. A 1,000 word essay is about 2 or 4. Pages, paragraphs and reading time by length.
How Many Words Are on a Page?
The rule of thumb is 500 words single-spaced and 250 double-spaced. We measured full pages in four fonts and three line spacings.
How to Check Word Count in Word and Google Docs
In Word the word count is in the status bar. In Google Docs press Ctrl+Shift+C. How to count a selection and what each count leaves out.
How Many Words Is a 5-Minute Speech?
A 5-minute speech is about 650 words at 130 words per minute, or 750 at 150. A table for 1 to 60 minutes and how to find your own speed.
Character Limits on Every Platform
Character limits for X, YouTube, Discord, Mastodon, SMS, Instagram, LinkedIn and more, each marked as confirmed by the platform or only widely reported.
When to Use All Caps
All caps fits abbreviations and very short labels. In sentences it is harder to read and looks like shouting. What style guides say and what to use instead.
How to Change Case in Excel and Google Sheets
Excel has no Change Case button. Use the functions UPPER, LOWER and PROPER, then paste the result as values. The same works in Google Sheets.
How to Change Case in Word
Select the text and press Shift+F3, or use the Change Case button on the Home tab. All five options, the shortcuts and the limits.
Title Capitalization Rules
Which words get a capital letter in a title: the shared rules, the differences between APA, Chicago, AP and MLA, and one title in each style.
Title Case vs Sentence Case
Title case capitalizes every major word. Sentence case capitalizes only the first word and names. Examples, who uses which and how to choose.
Repeated Text as Test Data
Repeated text gives test data with an exact length. Here is how to test a length limit, what a database does with long text and which strings to build.
How to Repeat Text in Word and Excel
Use the REPT function in Excel and Google Sheets, and Ctrl+Y or F4 in Word. With examples, the length limit and the #VALUE! error.
How to Send the Same Message Many Times
Two ways to send a repeated message, the message limit of WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord, and the point where a repeated message becomes spam.
How to Repeat Text on WhatsApp
Build the repeated text, copy it and paste it in the chat. Here are the steps, the formatting symbols and the WhatsApp rules on bulk messages.
What Is a Text Repeater?
A text repeater writes the same text as many times as you ask. Here is how it works, what it is used for and what it cannot do.