How to Learn Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a powerful word processor and document creation program. Once you learn the software, there are a large variety of professional documents and reports an individual can create. The number of options for learning Microsoft Word might be overwhelming at first glance. There are books, video tutorials, classes, and more to choose from; it all depends on your learning style and personal preferences. 

Here, we’ll discuss the various methods of learning Microsoft Word so you can make an informed decision about how you’d like to get started.

What is Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word is a powerful word-processing software that offers tons of flexibility when it comes to creating professional reports, letters, contracts, and other documents. Its features are more robust than other word processors, allowing it to become an industry standard used by companies and entrepreneurs worldwide. These advanced features include mail marges, spellchecker, text formatting, tables, and page layout, among many others. Microsoft Word can also produce documents in various file types, making it compatible with many other programs. Its popularity means it’s also compatible with nearly any computer. 

Since its release in 1983, Microsoft Word has continued to evolve to the needs of its users. Modern integrations have allowed the use of Microsoft Word over mobile, the web, and the Cloud for collaborative document creation. Cloud-based sharing and permissions make it easy for colleagues to collaborate and maintain security. Though Microsoft Word has faced many competitors over the decades, it continues to stand the test of time. 

Read more about what Microsoft Word is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word is primarily used as a word-processing program for creating professional-looking documents and reports. Authors use it to write novels, job seekers create resumes, and students write essays. In the workplace, Microsoft Word is used to create a host of documents, including letterheads, reports, templates, training manuals, calendars, invoices, and promotional materials, among others. Businesses also use the mail merge feature that outputs created documents to a mailing list or newsletter.

But Microsoft Word is more than a typing software. The program includes interactive elements such as fillable forms, checkboxes, and dropdown menus. It can easily convert documents into fillable PDFs or vice versa. Plain text documents are made more visually appealing with images, animations, or WordArt. Tables are also easily converted into visual graphs and charts. Microsoft Word can even transcribe audio files, transcribe live speech into text, and translate documents.

A particularly valuable feature of Microsoft Word is its collaboration tools for group projects. Professionals can easily share documents with others to work on. Changes such as comments and edits are tracked so the original owner of the document can decide what suggestions to make official. A history of changes to a document is also saved and can be reverted to at any time. Microsoft Word is a powerful tool for any business’ communications needs, whether internally or with customers or clients.

In-Person Microsoft Word Training

There are a number of perks to in-person training. Being in a physical classroom can eliminate the distractions an individual may find when learning online from home. A physical classroom also offers more direct engagement with the instructor. Thus students may feel more inclined to ask for help, or it may be easier for a teacher to identify when a student is struggling. In-person learning also allows students to engage with and learn from each other in a set environment.

There are a number of in-person Microsoft Word training options. These classes are short, often lasting only a day, and teach both beginner and advanced techniques. Noble Desktop’s Microsoft Word Level I course covers all the essentials of the program the average user needs to know. The Microsoft Level II course dives into expert techniques and little-known tips and shortcuts. These courses can be taken in-person or live online.

Live Online Microsoft Word Training

The perks of live online training include its availability. Students can learn from anywhere, provided they have a reliable internet connection. This removes the time of commute from a student’s schedule and allows them to learn in an environment they personally find suitable. Online courses also often offer more flexible schedules than in-person classrooms for parents and workers with busy schedules. In terms of engagement, live online classes try to replicate physical classrooms with hands-on projects and live instructors interacting with students in real-time. Students can also interact with their peers virtually.

There are a number of live online Microsoft Word training options. Available classes teach both beginner and advanced techniques. Noble Desktop’s Microsoft Word courses can be taken in-person in NYC or live online from anywhere. The Microsoft Level II course covers all the essentials of the program that an average user needs to know, while the Level II course dives into expert techniques and tricks.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

If you aren’t ready to dive into a full Microsoft Word course, you can look for an online introduction to Microsoft Word through Youtube, Coursera, or Udemy. In these free courses, you can learn a variety of basic skills, including Microsoft Word fundamentals and how to create simple documents such as fliers, brochures, and resumes. Some courses even teach advanced and expert Microsoft Word tips and tricks. 

However, many of these courses teach older versions of the Microsoft Word software. While most of Microsoft Word’s features are consistent through subsequent iterations, newer versions of the program may possess previously unseen features or place features in different locations. It can also be impossible to verify if the information taught in these courses is quality or correct. While these free online classes can be valuable and cost-effective for pure beginners, they aren’t ideal for professionals looking to learn comprehensive Microsoft Word skills to advance their careers. 

Read about more free Microsoft Word videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Microsoft Word Classes

On-demand and self-paced Microsoft Word training is often free and ideal for students who prefer to learn at their own pace or have too busy of a schedule to attend regular training. On-demand training on beginner and advanced techniques for Microsoft Word is available. However, a disadvantage of this method is that students must rely on self-motivation to progress through the material. They also lack an instructor to turn to for guidance if they encounter any struggles. Free training is also often out of date. Paid self-paced training does exist and often provides an instructor, but instructors are not live, and it can take time to receive a response. 

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

With so many different resources available to help beginners learn Microsoft Word, you might be unsure which one is best for you. Everyone has different learning styles and preferences, and you can experiment with multiple tools to see which one feels right for you. One of the great things about directing your own learning is that you get to pick which combination of tools you prefer; you don’t have to stick with what a teacher chooses.

It’s also essential to consider your current schedule before selecting a learning method. If you have a lot of responsibilities like a full-time job or family commitments, you may not be able to devote time to a structured course that requires you to attend at the same time every day. In this case, a self-paced class or video tutorials may be better since you can access them when your schedule allows. On the other hand, those with a more flexible schedule may prefer a structured course offered in-person or live online. 

Why Learn Microsoft Word?

There are many benefits to learning Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word provides grammar and spell-check tools that allow job seekers and established professionals to write professionally and more efficiently. Easy-to-read charts and graphs are also simple to build, enabling the creation of professional reports and documentation.

Job seekers especially can benefit from Microsoft Word, through which they can create professional-looking resumes. As an industry standard, many office workers are expected to know how to use the program to create documents or, at the very least, for spell check. Several communication-heavy professions, such as Lawyer, Administrator, and Copywriter, require Microsoft Word as a skill. Writing and editing teams in any business will also likely use Word for collaboration. Thus, Microsoft Word is essential for any job seeker or professional whose position requires communication skills.

Read more about why you should learn Microsoft Word. 

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

Microsoft Word is not difficult for most people to learn, though it requires basic computer comprehension and typing skills. Once you start learning Microsoft Word, the use of the program is mostly intuitive. However, advanced features and shortcuts are usually hidden in menus and require training or the use of tutorials to learn. 

There are a number of free online resources to get started with Microsoft Word, including introductory courses and tutorials. Thus, beginners wishing to learn the program can do so with minimal cost. However, free resources are often outdated and don’t feature expert techniques. Those wishing to become an expert in the program to advance their career will likely require professional training. Professional courses in Microsoft Word generally cost around $200-$300 and feature multiple levels, such as beginner, advanced, and expert. Due to the ease of learning Microsoft Word, these courses usually last only a day or two.

Read about how difficult it is to learn Microsoft Word.

Learn Microsoft Word with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

In today’s busy world, live online learning can be a fast, engaging, and comprehensive alternative to in-person classes. Noble Desktop offers live online classes in Microsoft Word that are hands-on and open to beginners. Classes are small, taught by expert instructors, and include free retake options.

Microsoft Word Level I is a one-day course that teaches all the Microsoft Word essentials. You’ll learn how to avoid common page formatting errors and prepare and send mass emails, letters, and labels with one click. You’ll also learn all the necessary shortcuts to shave hours off your time. Students who want to increase their Microsoft Word skills can attend the Microsoft Word Level II course.

Microsoft Word Level II is an advanced class that teaches next-level Microsoft Word skills. You’ll learn how to use automation to speed up your workflow, create custom document templates, use advanced formatting techniques, and build long documents. This is the ideal course for individuals wanting to become Microsoft Word experts. 

Noble Desktop also provides additional Microsoft Office classes, including Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook. 

Key Insights

• In-person training features professional instructors and comprehensive learning.
• Live online training shares the benefits of in-person training without the commute!
• Free courses and tutorials can be great resources to start your learning journey.
• On-demand training allows you to work at your own pace but with little direction.
• Ultimately only you can choose the training method that is best for you.
• You can receive comprehensive Microsoft Word training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.