How to Make Interactive Crossword Puzzles

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How to Make Interactive Crossword Puzzles

• Melinda Dolen
• School Tech Coordinator
• Madison Southern High School
• Berea, Kentucky

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Step 1

• Obtain a hard copy of a crossword puzzle

• Student Generated Puzzles
• Paper Grid
• http//www.puzzlemaker.com
• Pre-Generated Puzzles
• Store purchased puzzle books
• Textbook Workbooks

• Write or Print-out the Answers to your puzzle

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Step 2

• Open Microsoft Excel

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Step 3
Columns Vertical grouping of cells

• Count number of cells vertically and horizontally
• Add two rows at the top of the title
• Add one row at the left and right of the puzzle.

Rows Horizontal grouping of cells
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Step 4 thru 7

• Highlight the number of cells counted in Step 2
• Click left mouse and drag mouse
• F8 and use arrow Keys
• Resize Columns and Rows
• Format gt Columnsgt Width
• Format gt Rows gt Height
• Idea size
• 4 Column Width
• 18 Row Height

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• Choose Font Style and Size
• Align Text

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• Change Orientation

Portrait
Landscape

• Change Magnification of Screen

100
50
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Step 8

• Enter Words
• Letter per Cell

• Remember to keep
• Two rows open at the top
• One column to the left
• One column to the right

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Step 9

• Add Borders around Words

• One Word at A Time
• Highlight the cells for a word
• Multiple Words
• Hold Shift Key
• Selects consecutive cells
• Hold CRTL Key
• Selected non-consecutive cells

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Step 10

• Shadow Cells Surrounding Words
• Dont Use Red
• Format gt Cell gt Patterns

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Step 11

• Select a cell
• Format gt Conditional Formatting
• Condition 1 Correct Answer
• Condition 2 Wrong Answer

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Formatting Shortcuts

• Same Letters
• Copy (CRTL-C)
• Paste (CRTL-V)
• Different Letters
• Copy first formatted cell into all the cells
  containing letters
• Click on each cell, From the Format Menu, choose
  Conditional Formatting, change letter in both
  Conditional 1 and Condition 2

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Step 12

• Inserting a Comment
• Edit gt Insert Comment
• Right- Click gt Insert Comment
• Delete User Name
• Tools gt Options gt General
• Type in Clue
• Resize box if necessary

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Step 13

• Add Title and Directions

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Step 14

• Save Puzzle
• File gt Save As
• File Type Excel Template

Wow! Finished
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How to Use

• Tutorials
• Study Aids
• Review Activity
• Group
• Single Student

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Other Examples

• Matching
• True and False
• Worksheets

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Resources

• Directions
• http//www.madison.k12.ky.us/ms/clubs/stlp/project
  s/thearts/teacherresources.htmdirections
• Tutorials
• http//www.education-world.com/a_tech/techtorial/t
  echtorial042b.shtml
• Examples
• http//www.madison.k12.ky.us/ms/clubs/stlp/project
  s/thearts/artassignments.htm
• Programs for Interactive Crosswords
• http//www.freedownloadmanager.org/downloads/Cross
  down_7255_p/free.htm
• 50 - 60

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http//www.puzzlemaker.com