With almost any software or app, most of its users will download it with only its advertised purpose in mind. But you may not know that the programs you’re using on a regular basis can do a lot more than you realise.
As an example, let’s take a look at Microsoft Office. While it may be perfect for typing up documents or putting together spreadsheets, it’s so much more than just a word processor and calculator. Take a look at what else it can do!
1. Search in Context with Insights
Context can be key – as you’ve probably realised when searching for one thing and being presented with results for something that’s spelt the same but means something else entirely.
Office Insights will search for information within your Office window, whilst be basing its search and results on the rest of your content in order to present you with the most relevant, contextual results.
2. Calculate Numbers – in Microsoft Word
When you think of calculations, Microsoft Excel is probably the first Office program to come to mind. But Microsoft Word has its own calculator too!
Click on ‘File’, ‘Options’, then ‘Quick Access Toolbar’. Select the ‘All Commands’ drop down menu and press ‘Calculate Command’ to add it to your Quick Access Toolbar.
Basic mathematical functions can then be easily accessed within Word. Simply type an arithmetic expression, highlight it and press the ‘Calculate’ button. You’ll then be informed of its answer.
3. Show Off your Presentations in High Definition
PowerPoint is better than ever and is now compatible with HD! Just go to ‘Ribbon’, ‘Design’, ‘Slide Size’ and finally ‘Custom Slide Size’, then set your slide size to ‘On-screen Show (16:9).
Then, go to ‘Slideshow’ and ‘Set Up Slideshow’. From here, You can select ‘Primary Monitors’ from the multiple monitors dropdown. Select the correct resolution and click okay, then your new settings will be applied to your content for high-quality viewing on HD monitors.
4. Get Organised with Planner
As of June 2016, Office users can now access the Planner feature. It’s a way to organise your tasks, plans, assignments, collaborations and due dates – as well as adding other Office users to view the same information. It’s an excellent feature to use alone, or together!
5. Make Your Office Suite Speak
If you’re a fan of ‘talking’ features or even find it easier to work with text to speak, you can use ‘Speak’ to play back your content and talk out loud.
The office has TTS engines preinstalled that generate the speech based on what you’ve written. This works with Word, Powerpoint, OneNote and Outlook and can be accessed via the Quick Access Toolbar. When you see ‘Choose commands from:’ simply scroll down the drop down menu and select ‘Speak’.
Then, all you need to do is highlight the text you want to hear and press the Speak button. Simple!
If you haven’t spotted any of these fun and helpful tricks before, there’s no time like the present to check them out and start using them!
These aren’t even all the cool additional features in Microsoft Office – so if you don’t already have it, why not consider subscribing to Office 365 today and seeing what you’re able to do?
We’ll be ready and waiting to give you a hand whenever you’re ready to purchase!
