WWW.OFFICE.COM/SETUP BLOGS: INTRODUCTION
www.office.com/setup Blogs: PowerPoint allows you to add audio to your presentation. For example, you could add background music to one slide, a sound effect to another, and even record your own narration or commentary. You can then edit the audio to customize it for your presentation.
Optional: Download our practice presentation.
Watch the video below to learn more about inserting audio in PowerPoint.
TO INSERT AUDIO FROM A FILE:
In our example, we'll insert an audio file saved locally on our computer. If you'd like to work along with our example, right-click this link to our example file and save it to your computer (music credit: Something Small (Instrumental) by Minden, CC BY-NC 3.0).
From the Insert tab, click the Audio drop-down arrow, then select Audio on My PC.
Inserting audio from a file - www.office.com/setup
Locate and select the desired audio file, then click Insert.
Selecting the desired audio file - www.office.com/setup
The audio file will be added to the slide.
The inserted audio file - www.office.com/setup
RECORDING YOUR OWN AUDIO
Sometimes you may want to record audio directly into a presentation. For example, you might want the presentation to include narration. Before you begin, make sure you have a microphone that is compatible with your computer; many computers have built-in microphones or ones that can be plugged in to the computer.
TO RECORD AUDIO:
From the Insert tab, click the Audio drop-down arrow, then select Record Audio.
Clicking Record Audio - www.office.com/setup
Type a name for the audio recording if you want.
Renaming the audio recording - www.office.com/setup
Click the Record button to start recording.
Clicking the Record button - www.office.com/setup
When you're finished recording, click the Stop button.
Clicking the Stop button - www.office.com/setup
To preview your recording, click the Play button.
Previewing the recording - www.office.com/setup
When you're done, click OK. The au
www.office.com/setup Blogs: Another tool you can use to connect to a webpage, file, email address, or slide is called an action button. Action buttons are built-in shapes you can add to a presentation and set to link to another slide, play a sound, or perform a similar action. When someone clicks or hovers over the button, the selected action will occur. Action buttons can do many of the same things as hyperlinks. Their easy-to-understand style makes them especially useful for self-running presentations at booths and kiosks.
Optional: Download our practice presentation.
Watch the video below to learn more about using action buttons in your presentations.
INSERTING ACTION BUTTONS
You can insert action buttons on one slide at a time, or you can insert an action button that will show up on every slide. The second option can be useful if you want every slide to link back to a specific slide, like the title page or table of contents.
TO INSERT AN ACTION BUTTON ON ONE SLIDE:
Click the Insert tab.
Click the Shapes command in the Illustrations group. A drop-down menu will appear with the action buttons located at the very bottom.
- www.office.com/setup
Select the desired action button.
Insert the button onto the slide by clicking the desired location. The Action Settings dialog box will appear.
Select the Mouse Click or Mouse Over tab. Selecting the Mouse Click tab means the action button will perform its action only when clicked. Selecting the Mouse Over tab will make the action button perform its action when you move the mouse over it.
- www.office.com/setup
In the Action on click section, select Hyperlink to:, then click the drop-down arrow and choose an option from the menu.
- www.office.com/setup
Check the Play Sound box if you want a sound to play when the action button is clicked. Select a sound from the drop-down menu, or select Other sound to use a sound file on your computer. When you're done, click OK.
- www.office.com/setup
TO INSERT AN ACTION BUTTON ON A
WWW.OFFICE.COM/SETUP BLOGS: INTRODUCTION
www.office.com/setup Blogs: Whenever you work with Excel, you'll enter information-or content-into cells. Cells are the basic building blocks of a worksheet. You'll need to learn the basics of cells and cell content to calculate, analyze, and organize data in Excel.
Optional: Download our practice workbook.
Watch the video below to learn more about the basics of working with cells.
UNDERSTANDING CELLS
Every worksheet is made up of thousands of rectangles, which are called cells. A cell is the intersection of a row and a column-in other words, where a row and column meet.
Columns are identified by letters (A, B, C), while rows are identified by numbers (1, 2, 3). Each cell has its own name-or cell address-based on its column and row. In the example below, the selected cell intersects column C and row 5, so the cell address is C5.
cell C5 - www.office.com/setup
Note that the cell address also appears in the Name box in the top-left corner, and that a cell's column and row headings are highlighted when the cell is selected.
You can also select multiple cells at the same time. A group of cells is known as a cell range. Rather than a single cell address, you will refer to a cell range using the cell addresses of the first and last cells in the cell range, separated by a colon. For example, a cell range that included cells A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 would be written as A1:A5. Take a look at the different cell ranges below:
Cell range A1:A8cell range A1:A8 - www.office.com/setup
Cell range A1:F1
cell range A1:F1 - www.office.com/setup
Cell range A1:F8
cell range A1:F8 - www.office.com/setup
If the columns in your spreadsheet are labeled with numbers instead of letters, you'll need to change the default reference style for Excel. Review our Extra on What are Reference Styles? to learn how.
TO SELECT A CELL:
To input or edit cell content, you'll first need to select the cell.
Click a cell to select it. In our exampl
WWW.OFFICE.COM/SETUP BLOGS: INTRODUCTION
www.office.com/setup Blogs: Microsoft Word 2016 is a word processing application that allows you to create a variety of documents, including letters, resumes, and more. In this lesson, you'll learn how to navigate the Word interface and become familiar with some of its most important features, such as the Ribbon, Quick Access Toolbar, and Backstage view.
Watch the video below to become more familiar with Word 2016.
GETTING TO KNOW WORD 2016
Word 2016 is similar to Word 2013 and Word 2010. If you've previously used either version, then Word 2016 should feel familiar. But if you are new to Word or have more experience with older versions, you should first take some time to become familiar with the Word 2016 interface.
THE WORD INTERFACE
When you open Word for the first time, the Start Screen will appear. From here, you'll be able to create a new document, choose a template, and access your recently edited documents. From the Start Screen, locate and select Blank document to access the Word interface.
creating a new blank document - www.office.com/setup
Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn more about the Word interface:
the Word 2016 interface - www.office.com/setup
WORKING WITH THE WORD ENVIRONMENT
Like other recent versions, Word 2016 continues to use features like the Ribbon and the Quick Access Toolbar-where you will find commands to perform common tasks in Word-as well as Backstage view.
THE RIBBON
Word uses a tabbed Ribbon system instead of traditional menus. The Ribbon contains multiple tabs, which you can find near the top of the Word window.
tabs on the Ribbon - www.office.com/setup
Each tab contains several groups of related commands. For example, the Font group on the Home tab contains commands for formatting text in your document.
the Font group on the Home tab - www.office.com/setup
Some groups also have a small arrow in the bottom-right corner that you can click for even more option
WWW.OFFICE.COM/SETUP BLOGS: SIMPLE RULES FOR BETTER POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS
www.office.com/setup Blogs: Have you ever given a PowerPoint presentation and noticed that something about it just seemed a little … off? If you're unfamiliar with basic PowerPoint design principles, it can be difficult to create a slide show that presents your information in the best light. Poorly designed presentations can leave an audience feeling confused, bored, and even irritated. Review these tips on making your next presentation more engaging.
DON'T READ YOUR PRESENTATION STRAIGHT FROM THE SLIDES
If your audience can both read and hear, it's a waste of time for you to simply read your slides aloud. Your audience will zone out and stop listening to what you're saying, which means they won't hear any extra information you include. Instead of typing out your entire presentation, include only main ideas, keywords, and talking points in your slide show text. Engage your audience by sharing the details out loud.
FOLLOW THE 5/5/5 RULE
To keep your audience from feeling overwhelmed, you should keep the text on each slide short and to the point. Some experts suggest using the 5/5/5 rule: no more than five words per line of text, five lines of text per slide, or five text-heavy slides in a row.
Screenshot of Microsoft PowerPoint
DON'T FORGET YOUR AUDIENCE
Who will be watching your presentation? The same goofy effects and funny clip art that would entertain a classroom full of middle-school students might make you look unprofessional in front of business colleagues and clients. Humor can lighten up a presentation, but if you use it inappropriately your audience might think you don't know what you're doing. Know your audience, and tailor your presentation to their tastes and expectations.
CHOOSE READABLE COLORS AND FONTS
Your text should be easy to read and pleasant to look at. Large, simple fonts and theme colors are always your best bet. The best fonts and colors can va
WWW.OFFICE.COM/SETUP BLOGS: INTRODUCTION
www.office.com/setup Blogs: A theme is a predefined combination of colors, fonts, and effects. Different themes also use different slide layouts. You've already been using a theme, even if you didn't know it: the default Office theme. You can choose from a variety of new themes at any time, giving your entire presentation a consistent, professional look.
Optional: Download our practice presentation.
Watch the video below to learn more about applying themes in PowerPoint.
WHAT IS A THEME?
In PowerPoint, themes give you a quick and easy way to change the design of your presentation. They control your primary color palette, basic fonts, slide layout, and other important elements. All of the elements of a theme will work well together, which means you won't have to spend as much time formatting your presentation.
Each theme uses its own set of slide layouts. These layouts control the way your content is arranged, so the effect can be dramatic. In the examples below, you can see that the placeholders, fonts, and colors are different.
The Frame theme and the Integral theme - www.office.com/setup
If you use a unique slide layout-such as Quote with Caption or Name Card-and then switch to a theme that does not include that layout, it may give unexpected results.
Every PowerPoint theme-including the default Office theme-has its own theme elements. These elements are:
Theme Colors: There are 10 theme colors, along with darker and lighter variations, available from every Color menu.
Theme Colors - www.office.com/setup
Theme Fonts: There are two theme fonts available at the top of the Font menu under Theme Fonts.
Theme Fonts - www.office.com/setup
Theme Effects: These affect the preset shape styles. You can find shape styles on the Format tab whenever you select a shape or SmartArt graphic.
Theme Effects - www.office.com/setup
When you switch to a different theme, all of these elements will update to reflect the new them
PowerPoint allows you to add audio to your presentation. For example, you could add background music to one slide, a sound effect to another, and even record your own narration or commentary. You can then edit the audio to customize it for your presentation.
Optional: Download our practice presentation.
Watch the video below to learn more about inserting audio in PowerPoint.
TO INSERT AUDIO FROM A FILE:
In our example, we'll insert an audio file saved locally on our computer. If you'd like to work along with our example, right-click this link to our example file and save it to your computer (music credit: Something Small (Instrumental) by Minden, CC BY-NC 3.0).
From the Insert tab, click the Audio drop-down arrow, then select Audio on My PC.
Inserting audio from a file - www.office.com/setup
Locate and select the desired audio file, then click Insert.
Selecting the desired audio file - www.office.com/setup
The audio file will be added to the slide.
The inserted audio file - www.office.com/setup
RECORDING YOUR OWN AUDIO
Sometimes you may want to record audio directly into a presentation. For example, you might want the presentation to include narration. Before you begin, make sure you have a microphone that is compatible with your computer; many computers have built-in microphones or ones that can be plugged in to the computer.
TO RECORD AUDIO:
From the Insert tab, click the Audio drop-down arrow, then select Record Audio.
Clicking Record Audio - www.office.com/setup
Type a name for the audio recording if you want.
Renaming the audio recording - www.office.com/setup
Click the Record button to start recording.
Clicking the Record button - www.office.com/setup
When you're finished recording, click the Stop button.
Clicking the Stop button - www.office.com/setup
To preview your recording, click the Play button.
Previewing the recording - www.office.com/setup
When you're done, click OK. The audio file will be inserted into the slide.
The recorded audio file - ww
www.office.com/setup Blogs: Whenever you work with Excel, you'll enter information-or content-into cells. Cells are the basic building blocks of a worksheet. You'll need to learn the basics of cells and cell content to calculate, analyze, and organize data in Excel.
Optional: Download our practice workbook.
Watch the video below to learn more about the basics of working with cells.
UNDERSTANDING CELLS
Every worksheet is made up of thousands of rectangles, which are called cells. A cell is the intersection of a row and a column-in other words, where a row and column meet.
Columns are identified by letters (A, B, C), while rows are identified by numbers (1, 2, 3). Each cell has its own name-or cell address-based on its column and row. In the example below, the selected cell intersects column C and row 5, so the cell address is C5.
cell C5 - www.office.com/setup
Note that the cell address also appears in the Name box in the top-left corner, and that a cell's column and row headings are highlighted when the cell is selected.
You can also select multiple cells at the same time. A group of cells is known as a cell range. Rather than a single cell address, you will refer to a cell range using the cell addresses of the first and last cells in the cell range, separated by a colon. For example, a cell range that included cells A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 would be written as A1:A5. Take a look at the different cell ranges below:
Cell range A1:A8cell range A1:A8 - www.office.com/setup
Cell range A1:F1
cell range A1:F1 - www.office.com/setup
Cell range A1:F8
cell range A1:F8 - www.office.com/setup
If the columns in your spreadsheet are labeled with numbers instead of letters, you'll need to change the default reference style for Excel. Review our Extra on What are Reference Styles? to learn how.
TO SELECT A CELL:
To input or edit cell content, you'll first need to select the cell.
Click a cell to select it. In our example, we'll select cell D9.
A border will app
WWW.OFFICE.COM/SETUP BLOGS: INTRODUCTION
www.office.com/setup Blogs: A theme is a predefined combination of colors, fonts, and effects. Different themes also use different slide layouts. You've already been using a theme, even if you didn't know it: the default Office theme. You can choose from a variety of new themes at any time, giving your entire presentation a consistent, professional look.
Optional: Download our practice presentation.
Watch the video below to learn more about applying themes in PowerPoint.
WHAT IS A THEME?
In PowerPoint, themes give you a quick and easy way to change the design of your presentation. They control your primary color palette, basic fonts, slide layout, and other important elements. All of the elements of a theme will work well together, which means you won't have to spend as much time formatting your presentation.
Each theme uses its own set of slide layouts. These layouts control the way your content is arranged, so the effect can be dramatic. In the examples below, you can see that the placeholders, fonts, and colors are different.
The Frame theme and the Integral theme - www.office.com/setup
If you use a unique slide layout-such as Quote with Caption or Name Card-and then switch to a theme that does not include that layout, it may give unexpected results.
Every PowerPoint theme-including the default Office theme-has its own theme elements. These elements are:
Theme Colors: There are 10 theme colors, along with darker and lighter variations, available from every Color menu.
Theme Colors - www.office.com/setup
Theme Fonts: There are two theme fonts available at the top of the Font menu under Theme Fonts.
Theme Fonts - www.office.com/setup
Theme Effects: These affect the preset shape styles. You can find shape styles on the Format tab whenever you select a shape or SmartArt graphic.
Theme Effects - www.office.com/setup
When you switch to a different theme, all of these elements will update to reflect the new them