Microsoft Office software can help you with multiple personal and business applications, from creating resumes and reports, to creating calculations and charts in spreadsheets. Use this guide to find free resources and training for Microsoft products. 

Visit the Upper Arlington Public Library’s event calendar to see upcoming technology training programs, including programs on using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

Websites

Free Online Support

The Microsoft Support website offers training resources and step-by-step instructions for its software programs, including these popular programs:

• Excel Help and Learning 
• PowerPoint Help and Learning
• Publisher Help and Learning
• Word Help and Learning

Free Online Tutorials

The following websites offer self-paced tutorials for those interested in learning the basics of Microsoft Office software. 

Northstar Digital Literacy: Online, self-guided modules that assess the ability of individuals to perform tasks based on these skills. Northstar Digital Literacy offers digital literacy standards assessments and video lessons in three main categories:

• Essential Computer Skills: Basic Computer Skills, Internet Basics, Using Email, Windows OS, Mac OS
• Essential Software Skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs
• Using Technology in Daily Life: Social Media, Information Literacy, Career Search Skills, Supporting K-12 Distance Learning, Your Digital Footprint, Accessing TeleHealth Appointments

GCFLearnFree: GCFLearnFree offers thousands of up-to-date lessons covering more than 200 topics, including tutorials on basic computer skills, email, social media, and online safety. Many tutorials are accompanied by videos that you can watch, also for free, through the GCFLearnFree YouTube channel. 

• All Office Tutorials 
• Word Tutorials  | Word YouTube Playlist
• Excel Tutorials  |  Excel YouTube Playlist
• PowerPoint Tutorials  |  PowerPoint YouTube Playlist
• Publisher (2010) Tutorials

DigitalLearn.org. An online learning hub of self-directed tutorials, from the Public Library Association. Printable handouts for each tutorial are available.

• Microsoft Word Tutorial (5 activites, 17 minutes)
• Creating Resumes (4 activities, 21 minutes)
• Creating a Basic Budget with Excel Tutorial (6 activities, 18 minutes)

Dummies. Step-by-step instructions and tip sheets, from the company that publishes the popular for Dummies book series. Use this site to see featured tips and instructions on special functions in Office software, rather than tutorials to learn the basics of each program.

• Excel 
• PowerPoint
• Publisher
• Word

Reference / Resources

The following resources are available as part of the Upper Arlington Public Library’s database resources. They can be accessed with your Upper Arlington Public Library card number and PIN:

LinkedIn Learning: online tutorials and courses that teach business, software, technology, creative skills and more. LinkedIn Learning offers beginners and advanced courses for Microsoft users, including quick tips and essential training courses. Examples include:

• Excel Essential Training (Office 365/Microsoft 365)
  • Also visit the Master Microsoft Excel learning path
• PowerPoint Essential Training (Office 365/Microsoft 365)
  • Also visit the Master Microsoft PowerPoint learning path
• Publisher Essential Training (Office 365/Microsoft 365)
• Word Essential Training (Office 365/Microsoft 365)
  • Also visit the Master Microsoft Word learning path, which includes Word 2016

Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test and Career Prep offers resources for academic and occupational planning, including test prep and tutorials for exams in civil services, licensing exams, and more. It also includes tutorials for Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint: choose the brief 30-minute tutorials, or the longer comprehensive tutorials.