How to Use Skype With Excel
By Matthew Schieltz
Skype is an application that is made for business or personal, to make phone calls at low prices. The application uses an active Internet connection to make calls to people all over the world. Skype has introduced a useful add-on toolbar for anyone who has Microsoft Excel or other Office applications and wants to integrate the use of Skype with those programs. To use this toolbar you need to have the Skype application already installed on your computer.
Step 1
Download the Skype Office toolbar. This toolbar adds an icon or ribbon to Excel which allows you to use Skype from inside any Excel document. The Office Toolbar can be downloaded from the official Skype website at www.skype.com/download/skypeofficetoolbar/. Click on the "Download Now" button to begin the application download.
Step 2
Install the toolbar application in Excel. In most cases, and in Windows operating systems, you simply need to double-click on the downloaded .exe (executable) file to begin the installation process. When installing the Skype Toolbar, select your default language when prompted and accept the Skype end user and privacy agreement.
Step 3
Open a Microsoft Excel document. If using Excel 2007 click the ribbon labeled "Skype," which should be located to the right of the other Office ribbons.
Step 4
Click the "Create Skype Links" or "Highlight Numbers" button on the Skype Office Toolbar. Both of these commands highlight all ten-digit phone numbers within an Excel document, but each button works differently. The "Create Skype Links" button adds a hyperlink to each phone number while the "Highlight Numbers" button adds SmartTags to phone numbers.
Step 5
Click on a phone number within your Excel document. If you click on a number that is hyperlinked, the Skype application will open asking you to confirm the calling of a telephone number. If you click on a number highlighted with a SmartTag, choose the "Call this number with Skype" menu option to make a call. Use your headset or microphone to proceed with your conversation.
References
Tips
- Refer to the official Skype website or Skype community forums for help in using the Toolbar.
Writer Bio
Matthew Schieltz has been a freelance web writer since August 2006, and has experience writing a variety of informational articles, how-to guides, website and e-book content for organizations such as Demand Studios. Schieltz holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He plans to pursue graduate school in clinical psychology.