Microsoft Office Productivity

Microsoft Office Productivity - Knack Training

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Microsoft Office
Master the Essential Productivity Suite

Microsoft Office productivity refers to a suite of desktop and cloud-based applications designed to improve individual and team efficiency in various tasks. Key applications include Word for document creation, Excel for data analysis and spreadsheets, PowerPoint for presentations, and Outlook for email and calendar management. These tools are equipped with features like templates, advanced formatting options, and integration capabilities, enabling users to produce professional-quality work, streamline workflows, and enhance overall productivity.

What we can teach

Microsoft Word 1: Navigation, Selection, and Editing (WRD-040)

Request a Microsoft Word 1: Navigation, Selection, and Editing class today!

When creating documents, it is critical that we can navigate the application and the files quickly, selecting and editing content wherever it is needed. This session builds a toolbox of mouse actions, shortcuts, and hacks to create documents with ease.

Navigation shortcuts for files and content
Selection actions with the mouse and keyboard
Content editing tools
Formatting features
File types and compatibility

Microsoft Word 2: Essential Formatting & Structure (WRD-041)

Request a Microsoft Word 2: Essential Formatting & Structure class today!

At its core, Microsoft Word leverages the concepts of templates and styles to control all the aesthetic qualities of your file. Understanding the essentials of these tools is critical to being successful with the application.

Understanding and using Normal style
Customizing the conventional paragraph styles
Saving styles for reuse on other documents
Understanding paragraph styling
Margins and page breaks

Microsoft Word 3: Tabs and Tables (WRD-042)

Request a Microsoft Word 3: Tabs and Tables class today!

The second layer of formatting a Word document comes in the form of additional styles, as well as a more structured document through the use of tables. These features give us additional control and specificity about the design of our content.

Controlling headers and footers in a document
Implementing tabs and spacing within and without styles
Adding and formatting tables
Using tables to control document layout
Page layout controls

Microsoft Word 4: References and File Structure (WRD-043)

Request a Microsoft Word 4: References and File Structure class today!

In larger documents, we often need to consider segmenting the file and creating a system of references throughout the document. This provides better editing and formatting, as well as navigation to the point of the document that is relevant to a specific audience.

Using styles to automatically generate a Table of Contents
Adding layers of references to a large document
Understanding page breaks and section breaks
Changing document structure midway through a file
Custom document formatting

Microsoft Word 5: Forms and Mail Merge (WRD-044)

Request a Microsoft Word 5: Forms and Mail Merge class today!

Microsoft Word can be used to collect and manage larger sets of data, depending on the scenario you find yourself in. In this session, we will cover the fundamentals of building and distributing a fillable form, then collecting the results. We will also integrate Word with Outlook and Excel to automate the creation of standardized documents.

Leveraging the Developer tab in Microsoft Word
Designing a form with tables and fields
Controlling fields dynamically
Collecting data from forms in Microsoft Office
Creating templated files from Mail Merge

Microsoft Word 6: Automation (WRD-045)

Request a Microsoft Word 6: Automation class today!

Using Microsoft Word repetitively opens up the professional to mistakes. Rather than forcing ourselves to perform actions the same way over and over, we should build automation around our typical processes. In Word, that involves customizing the interface and building a set of macros to support our workflows.

Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar to your personal workflows
Creating custom Ribbons in the Word interface
Recording macros
Editing, combining, and distributing macros
Leveraging macros in your personal workflows

Take the entire Microsoft Excel Mastery Pathway (12 classes) here!

Microsoft Excel 1: Essential Spreadsheet Skills (EXL-040)

Many business professionals have been thrust into using Excel daily without proper training. It turns out that there are a few simple rules that improve the functionality of every spreadsheet, and make your work easier to accomplish. In this session, we’ll demonstrate how applying these fundamental principles change everything.

Creating new workbooks and changing application settings
Adding, editing, and deleting content
Using lists for effective data management
Adding selection and navigation shortcuts to your personal toolbox
Organizing a spreadsheet effectively

Microsoft Excel 2: References and Calculations (EXL-041)

Calculations in Excel are critical to ‘get right.’ From using appropriate operators and formulas, to controlling the order of operations, to understanding reference types, there are several major concepts to thoroughly understand in this area.

Using and adjusting relative, absolute, and mixed references in calculations
Using named ranges and table ranges as references
Understanding order of operations and using operators effectively
Adding simple Excel functions to summarize spreadsheet data

Microsoft Excel 3: ETL with Power Query (EXL-042)

The most critical starting point for a successful spreadsheet is clean, accurate, and current data. The most effective and modern way to accomplish this task is with a newer feature of Excel called Power Query. With Power Query, we perform operations that Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) data from the original source into our workbook.

Understanding Power Query in the context of an Excel workbook
Extracting data from various sources
Performing transformations on dirty data
Combining and comparing data
Setting up automated refreshes of external data

Microsoft Excel 4: List and Table Management (EXL-043)

Once data has successfully been added to a workbook, it is critical that it remains useful. In this session, we cover the skills and tools that control the content, formatting, and calculations in a workbook.

Converting existing lists into tables
Adding Data Validation to ranges in a workbook
Structuring workbooks for ease of management
Using Conditional Formatting to indicate issues with a file
Setting permissions

Microsoft Excel 5: Text, Date, and Management Functions (EXL-044)

Besides the core analysis functions and the powerful comparison functions, there are a number of functions that are about the presentation and structure of the information. These include text formatting and manipulation functions, date and time functions, and others.

Clean up improperly structured text information
Calculate deadlines and durations
Set up automatically updating configurations
Handle dates numerically and present them in various ways

Microsoft Excel 6: Lookup and Logical Functions (EXL-045)

Once a data table has been added to Excel, we regularly want to compare the data against existing data or categories, and find ways to combine the new information with existing concepts. Lookup functions like VLOOKUP allow us to combine tables or find a position within a range, and logical functions like IF allow us to build our own categories.

Combining and comparing tables with VLOOKUP and INDEX and MATCH
Upgrading table combinations with XLOOKUP and Power Query
Categorizing data with logical functions
Using Boolean comparisons to color-code spreadsheets

Microsoft Excel 7: Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts (EXL-046)

The Pivot Table is one of the most intuitive and powerful tools in Excel. With any list or table in your workbook, you can create a summary analysis and a chart highlighting insights in just seconds. Taking more time than that, you can build an interactive dashboard with multiple charts and filters.

Designing and controlling lists and tables as the Pivot Table source
Creating Pivot Tables to analyze data populations
Adding Slicers and Timelines to Pivot Tables for interactivity
Visualizing insights with Pivot Charts
Making multiple-chart dashboards

Microsoft Excel 8: Power Pivot and Modern Excel (EXL-047)

If you are an advanced user of Pivot Tables, Power Pivot is a very useful upgrade to your skillset. Power Pivot was built as a component of Power BI, but Microsoft added it to Excel using an Add-in. With it, you can create relationships between data tables, and add new DAX functions to existing analyses.

Converting existing lists into Excel Tables
Creating relationships between tables
Using the Excel Data Model in Pivot Tables
Writing DAX functions for use in summaries

Microsoft Excel 9: Data Visualization Essentials (EXL-048)

Effective charts and visualizations of data can help the user explore the data in question and identify insights. Then, charts can help to communicate those insights with context and clarity to outside audiences. In this session, we will cover the critical foundation to effective charts in Excel.

Identifying and analyzing an audience
Choosing and implementing chart types to clearly highlight essential data
Format charts effectively for clarity
Add text content for direct messaging and support

Microsoft Excel 10: Forecasting and Analysis (EXL-049)

Because Excel is such a powerhouse for storing and analyzing data, there are a wealth of tools for pushing from analyzing the past to forecasting the future. With tools like What-If, Scenarios, Solver, and a range of add-ins, Excel can create new charts and tables that explain potential future conditions.

Creating new calculated results with What-if and Data Tables
Adding Scenarios to existing calculations
Searching for desired outcomes with Solver
Sampling and forecasting data

Microsoft Excel 11: Professional Polish for Spreadsheets (EXL-050)

When building a workbook, there are layers of aesthetic and number formatting that can be applied, as well as structural changes that will make it easier to navigate and understand. In this session, we take your construction efforts to the next level by polishing the spreadsheet thoroughly.

Working with corporate design themes
Building templates and macros for file creation
Customizing number and aesthetic formatting
Improving layouts and arrangements of elements
Structuring your workbook for ease of use

Microsoft Excel 12: Automation in Excel (EXL-051)

With customization and recorded macros, an Excel user can create a set of tools to automate and simplify their personal workflow. In this session, we will illustrate how to create custom shortcuts and handle common issues in seconds.

Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar
Creating custom Ribbons for Excel
Recording and editing macros
Creating buttons and shortcuts for VBA code

Take the entire Microsoft PowerPoint Mastery Pathway (8 classes) here!

Microsoft PowerPoint 1: Essential Slide Creation (PPT-040)

To build an effective slide, we need to combine skills around font formatting, alignment, arrangement, and content creation. In this session, we add slides to a presentation efficiently and uniformly, creating a consistent presentation.

Creating new presentations and adding slides
Adding and formatting text content
Adding and formatting shapes and images
Aligning and arranging content on slides

Microsoft PowerPoint 2: Theme and Template Foundation (PPT-041)

Behind every presentation is a PowerPoint Theme. This is composed of color schemes, fonts, and layouts that control the various slides of the deck. To create a consistent, professional presentation, we must understand, use, and control the theme effectively.

Understanding and modifying the slide master and layouts for a presentation
Creating and updating color schemes and font schemes
Resetting slides to match the existing theme
Saving theme and template files for reuse

Microsoft PowerPoint 3: Images, Icons, and Diagrams (PPT-042)

Into each slide, images and diagrams help provide context, visual interest, and polish to an engaging presentation. In this session, we will control and build effective visuals within each slide, and unify their properties across slides in the presentation.

Inserting and controlling photos and illustrations in a slide
Adding shapes and icons and combining them
Working with SmartArt
Creating custom diagrams with shapes and other elements

Microsoft PowerPoint 4: Charting in PowerPoint (PPT-043)

While charts are often created in Excel, ultimately they are displayed in presentations very commonly. In this session, we will both discuss the integration between Excel and PowerPoint, and the formatting and handling of the chart within the slide.

Moving Excel charts into PowerPoint slides effectively
Creating native charts in PowerPoint
Formatting charts for readability and engagement
Adding contextual elements to the slide

Microsoft PowerPoint 5: Media and Motion (PPT-044)

Moving beyond static content, PowerPoint can support audio, video, and advanced animations. These tools make the presentation more engaging and can help tell stories more effectively. In this session, we combine these multimedia concepts into a dynamic presentation.

Adding audio to slides, interactions, and across multiple slides
Adding and editing video within presentations
Adding element animation
Using the Morph transition to connect multiple slide states

Microsoft PowerPoint 6: Advanced Theme Development (PPT-045)

Within the boundaries of your corporate theme, there are many areas the typical presentation designer can improve on both the usability and the polish of the theme. In this session, we will improve upon layouts, color schemes, and more.

Creating custom slide layouts for unique presentation scenarios
Customizing color schemes for data visualization and diagramming
Adding reference elements for on-the-fly design choices
Building futureproof versions of the theme

Microsoft PowerPoint 7: Nonlinear Presentations (PPT-046)

One of the most compelling ways to deliver a presentation is to leave it open to questions and redirections. These nonlinear presentations require navigation like hyperlinks and Zooms, and they require the presenter to truly understand their material. In this session, we will layer on sections, hidden slides, hyperlinks, and other interactive tools.

Adding sections to define segments of your presentation
Hiding potentially useful content slides from the main timeline
Creating automatic navigational tools with Zoom
Creating manual navigational tools with hyperlinks

Microsoft PowerPoint 8: Presentation Structure and Best Practices (PPT-047)

The most important step of creating a compelling presentation is planning. Through proper planning, we can decide on the content to be included and excluded, the structure of the delivery, and additional materials provided before and after the presentation.

Planning the presentation story arc
Creating detail slides to support simpler content
Adding navigational elements
Creating handouts and reports

Microsoft Outlook 1: Outlook Essentials (OLK-040)

Request a Microsoft Outlook 1: Outlook Essentials class today!

Most information workers live in Outlook, and this session builds the foundation of that skillset. From email to calendar, we cover the essential building blocks.

Topics include:

Understanding and manipulating the Outlook interface
Sorting and reading email
Sending email with attachments and other components
Working with meetings
Navigating Outlook with buttons and shortcuts

Microsoft Outlook 2: Inbox Management (OLK-041)

Request a Microsoft Outlook 2: Inbox Management class today!

There are layers of automation and organization tools built into the Outlook inbox that few people truly leverage. Using categories both in lieu of and in conjunction with folders, automating processes, and creating reusable searches are all useful improvements to the common interaction.

Topics include:

Organizing emails with categories and folders
Automating processes with rules and quick steps
Creating custom views and search folders
Leveraging templates

Microsoft Outlook 3: Calendar Management (OLK-042)

Request a Microsoft Outlook 3: Calendar Management class today!

Whether you are only controlling your own calendar, or you are responsible for one or more coworkers’ calendars, there are powerful tools to help you understand and manage your day.

Topics include:

Adding calendars to Outlook
Creating calendar folders and overlays
Building custom views
Working with permissions and delegates

Microsoft Outlook 4: Tasks and Contacts (OLK-043)

Request a Microsoft Outlook 4: Tasks and Contacts class today!

Task management has changed significantly over the last decade; Microsoft has improved their offerings both through new development and acquisitions. In this session, we will understand how to create and organize tasks and contacts.

Topics include:

Create and organize contacts
Create common tasks and flag emails
Prioritizing and labeling tasks
Creating shared task lists

Microsoft OneNote 1: Information Management (ONT-040)

OneNote is one of the most useful applications for the modern era. Because of the volume of information we process every day, programs that help us capture, organize, surface, reuse, and share that information are invaluable.

Topics include:

Creating notebooks, sections, and pages
Working with text-based notes
Adding navigational elements
Searching and tagging content

Microsoft OneNote 2: Integrations and Workflows (ONT-041)

OneNote extends its value through its integration with other programs, including nearly all of the Microsoft 365 suite. Capturing and combining information from across the business, then sharing that information in many ways, are very useful for any organization.

Topics include:

Capturing Outlook information in OneNote
Creating tasks and meeting minutes in OneNote
Integrating OneNote with SharePoint and Teams
Using mobile applications and browser plug-ins

Microsoft Visio 1: Essential Diagram Design (VIS-040)

Request a Microsoft Visio 1: Essential Diagraph Design class today!

Visio is much more powerful and flexible for diagram design than the other Microsoft applications. By integrating its work into your reports and presentations, you can create significantly more professional illustrations of business processes.

Topics include:

Navigating and customizing the Visio interface
Working with templates and stencils
Adding and formatting text and shapes
Controlling alignment, distribution, arrangement, and connections

Microsoft Visio 2: Data-Driven Diagrams (VIS-041)

Request a Microsoft Visio 2: Data-Driven Diagrams class today!

Advanced Visio diagrams can be generated from and connected to data sources for multiple scenarios. Whether it is generating an organization chart from a worksheet, or adding values and measurements into process diagrams, our work can be much more data-rich.

Topics include:

Creating diagrams from lists and tables
Adding dates and durations to timelines
Inserting data into existing diagrams
Exporting diagram information for analysis

Microsoft 365 1: Understanding Microsoft 365 (MTH-040)

Microsoft 365 is the suite of productivity applications available in the cloud. There are many programs under this umbrella, so it can often be confusing to determine which program to use, and how. In this session, we will outline the full Microsoft 365 suite, and illustrate how to best use and understand the programs.

Topics include:

Understanding Microsoft 365 Groups and OneDrive
Comparing Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive
Working with files in Microsoft 365
Integrating task management with existing groups

Microsoft 365 2: Creating and Modifying Microsoft 365 Groups (MTH-041)

To work collaboratively in the Microsoft 365 environment, we should be leveraging Microsoft 365 Groups to organize our teams. In this session, we will find ways to create Microsoft 365 Groups, modify their membership, and integrate them with the applications we need for productivity.

Topics include:

Creating Teams and Microsoft 365 Groups
Modifying membership of Microsoft 365 Groups
Understanding and modifying permissions across Microsoft 365
Integrating Microsoft 365 applications with one another

OneDrive: OneDrive for Individual Projects (OND-040)

Request a Microsoft OneDrive: OneDrive for Individual Project class today!

Microsoft OneDrive is a direct replacement for the use of your PC’s hard drive. It is intended to handle file storage and management for the individual, unlike SharePoint which is meant to be collaborative.

Topics include:

Installing and setting up OneDrive for your PC
Syncing file locations effectively
Controlling versions and sharing
Integrating with SharePoint

Microsoft Teams 1: Understanding Microsoft Teams (TMS-040)

Microsoft Teams is the modern hub of communication and collaboration in the Microsoft 365 Suite. Understanding the tools available within it, and the customization the end user can have over it, is very valuable.

Topics include:

Navigating the Teams areas
Customizing Teams settings
Introduction to Chat and Teams
Finding and using files

Microsoft Teams 2: Chat and Meetings (TMS-041)

The Chat space in Microsoft Teams encompasses the small-group, spontaneous collaboration that is so valuable to businesses. This space is also the most common area for video conferencing meetings to be held, and for the work that is done in those meetings to be saved.

Topics include:

Starting and managing conversations
Modifying notification settings
Sharing files with OneDrive
Scheduling and organizing meetings
Leading meetings and sharing content

Microsoft Teams 3: Creating Teams and Channels (TMS-042)

The Team space in Microsoft Teams is used for organized, structured collaboration around the essential groups within an organization – divisions, departments, teams, and project-specific groups. By creating and organizing a Team effectively, the group is given a valuable, ongoing space for discussion, meetings, file sharing, task management, and more.

Topics include:

Understanding and creating teams
Modifying team settings and membership
Organizing conversations and meetings within the team
File sharing and coauthoring
Planning the life cycle of a team

Microsoft Teams 4: Integrations (TMS-043)

Through Microsoft 365 Groups, Microsoft Teams is capable of integrating with nearly every application in the suite. In this session, we will highlight various ways to embed and connect Teams with a wide range of applications.

Topics include:

Connecting SharePoint content with Teams
Embedding Plans, Forms, and more into Team Channels
Adding apps to Teams
Building Power Automate flows around Teams

Microsoft SharePoint 1: Understanding SharePoint (SPT-040)

Microsoft SharePoint is the original cloud application, providing file storage and management as well as data management and automation. In this session, we will illustrate the scenarios where SharePoint shines when working collaboratively.

Topics include:

Using lists and libraries
Understanding site navigation
Navigating to pages and using web parts
Syncing files with the desktop

Microsoft SharePoint 2: Personalization (SPT-041)

As a user of SharePoint, we can benefit from creating a personalized experience that surfaces our preferred content. This can be done with personalized pages and views, as well as integrating SharePoint more tightly into our existing workspace.

Topics include:

Connecting SharePoint libraries with OneDrive and Windows
Creating personal views of lists and libraries
Personalizing SharePoint site pages
Setting alerts, notifications, and custom flows

Microsoft SharePoint 3: Site Access Management (SPT-042)

As a SharePoint site owner, we have control over every aspect of the site. In this class, we focus on permissions to the site and content. This can be controlled through Microsoft 365 Groups, but can also be added as granular permissions on an item level.

Topics include:

Understanding and leveraging Microsoft 365 Groups for permissions
Viewing, modifying, and creating SharePoint Groups
Selecting, modifying, and creating permission levels
Setting site-, list-, and item-level permissions

Microsoft SharePoint 4: Content Management (SPT-043)

Within a SharePoint site, the lists and libraries contain the content we are concerned with – records and files, and all their supporting metadata. The work a site owner can put into defining this content is nearly endless, with possibilities including custom columns and content types.

Topics include:

Understanding and creating lists and libraries
Adjusting list and library settings
Working with metadata
Creating and implementing content types

Microsoft SharePoint 5: Experience Management (SPT-044)

The SharePoint user experience is the navigation and ease of use of the site. A site owner can adjust pages, views, and hyperlinks to support their coworkers’ preferred working style, needed content, and personal workflows.

Topics include:

Creating custom views of lists and libraries
Planning the link structure of the Quick Launch bar
Updating the site home page
Creating and surfacing additional site pages

Microsoft SharePoint 6: Integration Management (SPT-045)

Request a Microsoft SharePoint 6: Integration Management class today!

SharePoint, as with the remainder of the Microsoft 365 applications, can be integrated with their suitemates. In this instance, SharePoint content can be brought forward in other applications, and those other applications can be embedded into SharePoint.

Topics include:

Linking SharePoint content to tasks and forms
Embedding videos and libraries into SharePoint pages
Creating combined views of tasks and resources
Creating useful customizations for Teams

Tasks: Planner, To-Do, and Microsoft Lists (TDO-040)

Request a Tasks: Planner, To-Do and Microsoft Lists class today!

Since the advent of Microsoft 365, the task ecosystem has changed significantly. Microsoft To Do has been blended with Outlook’s tasks, and Microsoft Planner was introduced to create a no-cost alternative to Project. In this session, we will outline how a professional can use these applications together to manage their daily tasks.

Topics include:

Integrating Microsoft To Do with current Outlook tasks
Managing tasks with To Do
Creating new Plans in Microsoft Planner
Aggregating personal tasks across multiple areas

Data Handling: Microsoft Forms and Flows (MTH-042)

Request a Data Handling: Microsoft Forms and Flows class today!

Whether for surveys, polls, or quizzes, Microsoft Forms allows the user to create a series of questions and distribute that material to others. Then, the answers are aggregated on a page, or exported to a workbook. Combined with Power Automate, this can trigger actions across Microsoft 365.

Topics include:

Integrating Forms with Teams for polling
Creating surveys and quizzes
Distributing forms and collecting data
Creating custom workflows based on form submissions

Introduction to Copilot for Collaborative Tools (COP-012)

Microsoft Copilot is a startling improvement to the way we work. By integrating Artificial Intelligence tools into every Microsoft application, we have opportunities to significantly improve and speed up existing workflows. In this session, we will outline ways that Copilot improves everyday operations and scenarios in Microsoft 365 collaborative tools, as well as helping you steer clear of problems.

Topics include:

What does Copilot see within your organization and within your workspace?
Automating creation and design in SharePoint
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in meetings for notetaking and other assistance
Identifying automation opportunities

Comprehensive Microsoft 365 Copilot (COP-022)

Microsoft Copilot injects artificial intelligence into every facet of the Microsoft ecosystem. In this course, we deep-dive with the Microsoft 365 platform on collaborative work. This course is rich in insights into the functionality as well as the depth of implementation we can expect as the product evolves.

Topics include:

Overview of Artificial Intelligence and the business productivity stack
Exploring Microsoft 365 Copilot integrations
Automating creating and design in SharePoint, Teams, and Forms
Controlling the core components of Copilot

The team at Knack Training customizes every hands-on training to the world and requirements of the attendees.

Live Classroom Training
Seminar and Conference Sessions
Web-Based Training
Video Courses
Consulting

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