About the author

Nick Oswald

Nick is a molecular biologist-turned-publisher. After a PhD in Developmental Biology and an eclectic seven years in biotech he is now Editorial Manager of Neuroendocrinology and the founder and Editor-In-Chief of Bitesize Bio. You are welcome to connect with Nick on LinkedIn

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Did you think that your Google search box was just for searching the web? If so then think again – those folks at Google are the masters of innovation (you only have to look at where they work to see that).

So it’s not surprising that they have made their search box cleverer than most.

Here are 5 ways to use your Google search box that you might just find useful in your lab or office.

1. You have to make a call to an overseas collaborator, but can’t remember what the time difference is. Just type in “time” followed by the name of the city to get it.

2. Can’t find your calculator? You can do your calculation right there in the google search box. e.g. 5*9+10^3.

3. This is one of my favorites. If you need a dictionary definition of a word, just type “define:” followed by the word and Google will pull together definitions from a range of online sources.

4. You can track your UPS, Fedex or USPS package just by typing the tracking number straight into the search box.

5. To find a US patent, type “Patent” followed  by the patent number into the search box.

Do you use any Google shortcuts (or would you like your workplace to be more like the Google HQ)?. Tell us about it in the Bitesize Bio Bistro !