How to Learn Office 365

Office 365 is a cloud-based subscription service that includes Microsoft Office’s suite of workplace productivity programs and online hosting and collaboration tools. Learning Office 365 can increase a job seeker’s prospects and advance the careers of established professionals. The number of options for learning Office 365 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 Office 365, so you can decide how you’d like to get started.

What is Office 365?

Office 365 (also known as Microsoft 365) is a cloud-based subscription service that includes Microsoft Office’s suite of programs along with other online services such as free cloud storage and web hosting. Since Office 365 functions with the cloud, users always have access to their documents so long as they have an internet connection. The service is compatible with PCs, Macs, tablets, and smartphones.

Microsoft Office is a popular suite of productivity programs that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. These programs are used worldwide by businesses across industries for their ease of use, accessibility, and collaboration features. The programs offer a variety of functions, such as word processing, spreadsheet creation, promotional material design, and team management. Office 365 combines these valuable programs into a single service that offers the advantages of online document sharing. Microsoft Office cloud services include Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange.

Read more about what Office 365 is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Office 365?

Office 365 gives users full access to Microsoft Office’s suite of programs. These include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. These programs allow users to create professional documents and reports, spreadsheets and databases, presentations, emails, and promotional materials. Office 365 also provides Microsoft Office cloud services, including Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange. Businesses worldwide use these programs for workplace productivity, team collaboration, and management. 

Office 365’s collaboration tools allow teammates to edit documents simultaneously in real-time online. Teammates can use the Teams app to text chat with one another and ask questions without leaving their computers. Documents can also be assigned to teammates as tasks and linked in their virtual calendar or Microsoft Planner, making them easily accessible and trackable in their workflow. Documents are shared easily with a link without downloading or emailing files. Office 365 is an essential business asset for facilitating collaboration within and across departments. 

As an online service, Office 365 offers several advantages. Users can access Office 365 from any device without needing the program installed. This enables users to work anywhere they like and prevents them from being chained to any singular device. Files and documents can also be stored online without taking up computer storage. Updates are applied automatically to the software without users needing to download them manually. The online features of Office 365 go a long way toward improving accessibility and usability.

In-Person Office 365 Training

In-person Office 365 training offers a number of perks. Learning in a physical classroom can provide fewer distractions than an individual might find when learning online from home (from pets, children, nearby electronics, etc.). A physical classroom also offers more direct engagement with the instructor. 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. However, drawbacks to in-person learning include a commute and a set schedule. In-person learning is also often more costly than alternatives.

There are a number of in-person Office 365 training options. These classes are short, often lasting only a day, and teach both beginner and advanced techniques. Noble Desktop’s Office 365 classes teach various levels of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, from beginner to expert. Noble Desktop’s courses can be taken in-person in NYC or live online.

Live Online Office 365 Training

A major perk of live online training is its availability. Students can learn from anywhere, provided they have a reliable internet connection. Students save time they would usually spend on a commute, and they are able to learn anywhere they find suitable. Online courses also often offer more flexible schedules than in-person classrooms for parents or job holders 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. However, some students still find it preferable to learn in person. For them, it’s difficult to connect with their instructors and peers virtually, and they find at-home learning too full of distractions.

There are a number of live online Office 365 training options. Available classes are short, lasting only one day, and teach both beginner and advanced techniques. Noble Desktop’s Office 365 courses can be taken in-person or live online from anywhere. These classes teach various levels of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, from beginner to expert. Bootcamps are available that combine course levels into one comprehensive learning program.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Not ready to dive into an entire course? Prefer an overview of Office 365? You can start learning Office 365 for free online. Noble Desktop offers free seminars in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. In the Top 10 Beginner Excel Tricks You Need to Know, you’ll learn beginner techniques that introduce you to Excel and teach you productivity hacks within the program. In the PowerPoint Presentation Design seminar, you’ll learn how to make a professional and eye-catching presentation within the program. These seminars are the perfect method for introducing you to Excel and PowerPoint and giving you examples of the power of Office 365. 

Noble Desktop offers additional Office 365 classes that teach Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook. After these seminars, should you wish, you can continue your education with additional Excel and PowerPoint classes. Bootcamps in both subjects are also available that combine multiple courses into one comprehensive learning package. These courses and bootcamps are open to beginners and guide students to mastery of the programs. 

Read about more free Office 365 videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Office 365 Classes

On-demand Office 365 training is free and ideal for students with too busy of a schedule to attend regular classes or who prefer to learn at their own pace. Students can usually find beginner and advanced on-demand training resources. However, a drawback of this method is that training is not robust enough to advance a career. On-demand training also lacks an instructor, so students must rely on self-motivation to progress through the material. They also have no one to turn to for guidance if they struggle. Free training is also often out of date. Paid self-paced training often provides an instructor, but instructors are not live, and it can take time to receive a response. This method of training is best suited for individuals looking to learn beginner techniques but not specifically for career advancement. 

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

With so many different resources available to help beginners learn Office 365, 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 Office 365?

Office 365 is used by over a million companies worldwide and across various industries. Businesses use Office 365 for team management, document creation, spreadsheet organization, database building, and creating promotional materials. Even if your job doesn’t require proficiency in Office 365, you’ll likely encounter at least one Office 365 program in your office and should acquire a basic understanding of it.

Job seekers significantly benefit from learning to use Office 365. Training in Office 365’s suite of programs can help applicants stand out in a competitive market. Though the programs are easy to learn, they also contain powerful features that only advanced users can take full advantage of, increasing both the productivity of their workflow and the office as a whole, especially when collaborating in a team. Businesses know this and prize expert knowledge in their employees. Your dedication to learning new skills will make your resume stand out.

Even if you already possess a secure job position, Office 365’s suite of programs contains known productivity tools. Learning these programs improves daily productivity and workflow. Professionals who become certified in Office 365 tend to see raises and increased salaries.

Read more about why you should learn Office 365.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

Office 365 is relatively easy for most people to learn and requires basic computer comprehension. You’ll find the menus and functions within Office 365 are mostly intuitive for those familiar with computers. However, advanced features and shortcuts are usually hidden in menus and require training or learning tutorials. 

There are a number of free online resources to get started with Office 365. These include introductory courses and task tutorials on YouTube, Microsoft.com, and course websites such as Udemy and Coursera. Thus, beginners wishing to learn Office 365 can start learning at a minimal cost.

Those wishing to become experts in Office 365 to advance their careers will require professional training. Professional courses that teach the individual programs within Office 365 cost around $200-$300 and feature multiple levels, such as beginner, advanced, and expert. Due to the ease of learning these programs, these courses usually last only a day or two.

Read about how difficult it is to learn Office 365.

Learn Office 365 with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers in-person and live online training in Office 365. Courses include training in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook. You can choose between individual classes of various skill levels or bootcamps, which offer in-depth, comprehensive learning. When it comes to becoming an expert in a new skill, bootcamps are a fast and affordable alternative to college. Noble Desktop’s classes are small, taught by expert instructors, and include free retake options.

The Excel Bootcamp guides students from beginner to expert techniques. You’ll learn functions, formulas, Pivot Tables, macros, and additional expert tips and tricks. By the end of the course, you’ll be a true Excel master. The PowerPoint Bootcamp is a similar course that provides complete mastery of the program. You’ll start with the basics of customizing images, shapes, text, and animation before moving on to advanced techniques such as template creation, importing charts from Excel, and inserting multimedia. By the end of the course, you’ll be a wizard at creating professional and visually stunning presentations and slideshows.

If you like the idea of the comprehensive learning offered by bootcamps and are looking for further training in Office 365, NYIM is an affiliate school of Noble Desktop. It provides a Complete Microsoft Office Bootcamp that covers the four major programs – Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook.

Key Insights

There are a number of ways to learn Office 365:

• In-person training features professional instructors and comprehensive learning.
• Live online training shares the benefits of in-person training without the commute!
• On-demand training allows you to work at your own pace but with little direction.
• Free courses and tutorials can be great resources to start your learning journey.
• Those looking to advance or start a new career should attend professional training. 
• Ultimately, only you can choose the training method that is best for you.
• You can receive comprehensive Office 365 training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.