How to Use the AutoFill Feature on the Google Toolbar

The Google Toolbar is designed to help you get the most out of the time you spend on the Internet, and has a range of features which allow you to save time by performing some functions for you. One such feature is AutoFill. This allows you to create an information profile which stores details such as your name, street address and email address. Once you've created a profile, AutoFill can fill in this information for you on Web page forms with one click of the mouse.

Things You'll Need

• An Internet connection
• Operating System: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows ME, or Windows 98
• The latest version of Internet Explorer or Firefox
• The Google Toolbar

Instructions

Enable AutoFill

1. Click the "Settings" button and choose "Options" (in Internet Explorer), or click the "Options" button (in Firefox).

2. Choose the "Features" tab (in Internet Explorer) or the "Browsing" tab (in Firefox).

3. Check the box labeled "AutoFill" to enable this feature. Click "OK" to save your changes and exit the window.

Create an AutoFill Profile

1. Click the "AutoFill Settings" button (located in the "Features" or "Browsing" tab of the "Options" menu in Internet Explorer and Firefox, respectively).

2. Enter your personal information in the fields provided.

3. Click "Add/Edit Credit Card" if you want to enter your credit card information (this option is only available in Internet Explorer).

4. Password-protect your credit card information by clicking the "Set Password" button in the "Credit Card Information" window.

Using AutoFill

1. Surf the Web as normal-when you navigate to Web pages that have fields AutoFill can fill in, the AutoFill button will colorize and the fields will be highlighted in yellow.

2. Hold down the Shift key and click the AutoFill button if you would like to check the information AutoFill will fill in on the Web page (recommended for safety).

3. Click the AutoFill button (without holding down the Shift key) to fill out Web form information.

Tips & Warnings

• After you have created an AutoFill profile, the AutoFill button will be grayed out until you visit a Web page that has fields which AutoFill can fill.

• The information you enter into AutoFill is stored on your computer in a file called "autofill.dat" (your information will never be sent to Google). This file is located at "C:\Documents and Settings\Local Settings\Application Data\Google".

• Remove the AutoFill button from your toolbar by repeating the steps you carried out to enable AutoFill, but uncheck the box labeled "AutoFill" instead of checking it.

• Only use AutoFill on sites that you know and trust-be particularly careful if you use AutoFill to automatically enter your credit card information into Web forms.

• Unscrupulous Web site owners have been known to write code into Web pages that captures information in hidden fields. Remember to Shift-click the AutoFill button to check the information that will be filled in, so that you can be sure you're not accidentally giving out your credit card details.