Today, most workstations feature two or three monitors. Lawyers who use laptops always have at least one external monitor at their desks. 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 in a ViewSonic 15.6-inch portable monitor with a built-in stand to have two screens when traveling, and she 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 that one gets used the least, probably the one farthest from your dominant hand. One valuable thing to do with the third monitor is to place your calendar there, so it is always visible. In Outlook, right-click on the calendar icon at the upper left, choose "Open in New Window" and 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 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 and the 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 the Windows key and Z. On Mac, click the control-up arrow (or swipe up with three or four fingers), drag a window onto the thumbnail of the full-screen app in the spaces bar, then click the split view thumbnail. Another way is to drag an app thumbnail onto another in the spaces bar. 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.