Master Microsoft Office Web Apps: Excel, PowerPoint & Word
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Signing in to Office.com
- Overview of Office.com Home Page
- Using Microsoft Word Web App
- Choosing Templates
- Creating a Blank Document
- Formatting Options
- Inserting Hyperlinks and Images
- Saving and Printing Documents
- Sharing and Collaborating
- Using Microsoft Excel Web App
- Templates and Blank Workbooks
- Basic Functions and Formulas
- Sharing and Saving Workbooks
- Using Microsoft PowerPoint Web App
- Choosing Templates and Designs
- Creating and Editing Slides
- Presenting and Downloading Presentations
- Overview of Other Web Apps on Office.com
- Conclusion
The Beginner's Guide to Office.com Web Apps for Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is a powerful suite of productivity tools that includes popular applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. While these applications are traditionally installed on a computer using Office 365 or other versions of Microsoft Office, there's a convenient way to use many of their basic features without purchasing any software. Office.com offers web apps for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, allowing users to Create, edit, and collaborate on documents online with just a free Microsoft account.
Introduction
In this beginner's guide, we will explore how to use the Office.com web apps for Microsoft Office. We will start by signing in to Office.com using a free Microsoft account. Then, we will take a tour of the Office.com home page and learn about the various web apps available. The focus of this guide will be on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint web apps, but we will also touch upon other apps like OneNote.
Signing in to Office.com
To access the Office.com web apps, You need to sign in using a Microsoft account. If you already have a free Microsoft account, you can simply click the sign-in button on the Office.com home page. If you don't have an account, you can easily create one by following the instructions provided. Once you are signed in, you will have access to a range of free tools and services on Office.com.
Overview of Office.com Home Page
After signing in, you will be taken to the Office.com home page. Here, you will find a list of various web apps that you can use with your free account. The home page also provides quick access to tools like Outlook for email, OneDrive for file storage, Skype for communication, and a calendar and contacts tool. In this guide, we will primarily focus on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint web apps, but you can explore other apps as well.
Using Microsoft Word Web App
The Word web app on Office.com allows you to create and edit documents online. When you open the Word web app, you will have the option to choose from a variety of templates or start with a blank document. While the web app offers a limited set of features compared to the full version of Microsoft Word, it still enables you to Type, format, and customize your documents.
Choosing Templates
If you need to create a document Based on a specific format, you can choose from the available templates. The templates range from resumes and papers in different styles to various other options. Simply click on a template to open it and start editing the placeholders with your own information. You can then save, print, or share the customized template.
Creating a Blank Document
For more flexibility, you can also start with a blank document in the Word web app. This opens up a familiar interface with basic formatting options, such as font styles, sizes, and colors. You can type your text, insert hyperlinks and images, and even adjust the layout and margins. While some features may be slightly harder to access compared to the full version of Word, you can still accomplish most tasks online.
Formatting Options
In the Word web app, you can use the formatting options to enhance the appearance of your document. You can select and highlight text, change font styles, adjust the spacing, and Align paragraphs. While the options may be limited compared to the full version of Word, you can still create professional-looking documents with ease.
Inserting Hyperlinks and Images
The Word web app allows you to insert hyperlinks and images into your document. You can link to external websites or internal pages by selecting the text and clicking the insert hyperlink button. You can also insert images from your device, OneDrive account, or even search for images directly within the app. This feature enables you to enhance your documents with visual elements.
Saving and Printing Documents
When you finish creating your document, you can save it to your OneDrive account. Simply click on the "File" option and choose "Save As." This will open a window where you can select the location in your OneDrive file system to save the document. Additionally, you can print the document directly from the web app or choose to save it as a PDF for printing later.
Sharing and Collaborating
One of the key advantages of using the Word web app is the ability to easily share your documents. You can click on the "Share" button and enter email addresses to invite others to view or edit the document. You can also control the level of access by allowing or disallowing editing. Furthermore, you can set an expiration date or password protect the document for added security. The app also provides a dedicated link that you can share with others for direct access to the document.
Using Microsoft Excel Web App
The Excel web app on Office.com allows you to create and edit spreadsheets online. Similar to the Word web app, it offers a range of basic features and functionalities for working with data. While it may not have all the advanced capabilities of the full version of Excel, it's an excellent tool for beginners and for simple calculations and data management.
Templates and Blank Workbooks
When you open the Excel web app, you have the option to choose from templates or start with a blank workbook. The templates include basic spreadsheets for budgeting, tracking expenses, and more. If you prefer a blank workbook, you can create your own custom spreadsheet by entering data and applying formulas.
Basic Functions and Formulas
The Excel web app provides a Simplified version of the ribbon interface and a range of basic functions and formulas. You can enter data in cells, Apply formatting, and perform calculations. For example, you can use functions like SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, and MIN to analyze data. You can also create simple formulas by referencing cell values and applying mathematical operations.
Sharing and Saving Workbooks
Similar to the Word web app, the Excel web app allows you to share your workbooks with others. You can invite collaborators and control their access levels. Additionally, you can save your workbooks to your OneDrive account or download them as PDFs or actual Excel files. This flexibility makes it easy to collaborate and share data with colleagues or clients.
Using Microsoft PowerPoint Web App
The PowerPoint web app on Office.com enables you to create and edit presentations online. Whether you need to build a simple slide deck or a comprehensive presentation, the PowerPoint web app provides the essential tools for designing and delivering impactful presentations.
Choosing Templates and Designs
When you open the PowerPoint web app, you have the option to choose from a variety of templates or start with a blank presentation. The templates offer different designs and layouts for various presentation purposes. You can also customize the design by applying themes, colors, and slide transitions.
Creating and Editing Slides
Once you have chosen a template or a blank presentation, you can start creating and editing slides. The PowerPoint web app offers a simplified ribbon interface with options to add text, images, shapes, and other elements to your slides. You can easily rearrange and format the content to create a visually appealing presentation.
Presenting and Downloading Presentations
When it's time to present your slides, the PowerPoint web app allows you to enter slideshow mode directly from the app. You can navigate through the slides using the spacebar, arrow keys, or a presenter remote. Additionally, you can download your presentation as a PowerPoint file or PDF for offline use or sharing with others.
Overview of Other Web Apps on Office.com
While this guide mainly focuses on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint web apps, Office.com offers a range of other web apps as well. These include apps like OneNote for note-taking, Outlook for email management, and various productivity tools. You can explore these apps and their features to enhance your productivity and workflow.
Conclusion
Using the Office.com web apps for Microsoft Office allows users to access and utilize basic features of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without purchasing any software. The web apps offer a convenient and user-friendly way to create, edit, and collaborate on documents online. While they may have certain limitations compared to the full versions of the applications, they provide an excellent starting point for users to explore the capabilities of Microsoft Office. With the ability to save, share, and download documents, the Office.com web apps empower users to work efficiently and effectively.