Microsoft Office Blog

The Certstaffix Training Microsoft Office Blog features free information about topics related to Microsoft Office skills using programs such as Microsoft Excel, Access, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, Visio and more that we teach in our instructor-led classes and eLearning courses.

Microsoft Project vs. Jira: Key Differences and Which to Choose

As a project manager aiming for excellence, you have several software options that can support your goals. While the right program depends on your industry, project type, preferred methodology, and budget, two major contenders often emerge: Microsoft Project and Jira. Examining their differences can help you to decide which program is best for your needs. Read More ...

Using Excel for Data Entry and Management

Excel has long been celebrated across industries for its ability to help people store, organize, and analyze raw data. For professionals whose roles include managing large amounts of data, using the proper Excel techniques and creatively applying the software's built-in features can simplify these tasks, helping to achieve flawless data entry and management. Read More ...

How to Boost Productivity With Excel

Using Excel can be a game-changer for data entry and management. This software offers almost limitless ways to save time and enhance productivity, but some techniques stand out as particularly valuable, tried-and-true workflow improvements. Read More ...

What Is Microsoft Project Professional, and How Is it Different?

Project managers know that when it comes to project management software, Microsoft Project is a tried-and-true solution. Many employees new to the discipline, however, are often unaware that two versions exist: Standard and Professional. Read More ...

Using Excel for Project Management

Project management is an essential process that helps businesses meet their goals, whether in a corporate or small-business environment. Specialized software devoted to project management exists, but there are situations in which such programs are unavailable, such as when employees can rely on a trusted spreadsheet and data management solution, Excel, to achieve the same aims. Read More ...

Microsoft Project vs. Asana: Pros and Cons

Project management has traditionally been a complex and time-consuming task requiring the patience, precision, and dedication of a professional overseeing it. Luckily, project management software has allowed users to find some help with planning and implementation. Nowadays, the biggest source of stress just might come from choosing between two of the most popular project management software options available: Microsoft Project and Asana. Read More ...

Why Do You Need Excel Skills for a Business?

With Excel skills, business professionals can keep their enterprises profitable and ensure that they're ready for tax time. Learn how our live Excel training for business owners and employees can help you stay in the black. Read More ...

Why and How to Develop MS Project Skills

In today's world, knowing how to use Microsoft Project is essential to being considered a professional project manager. Learning the ins and outs of the software, however, can go beyond gaining a cursory knowledge of the program and its functions, often including adopting a "big picture" view of the program as well as a detailed examination of its features. Read More ...

Hands-On Microsoft Excel Training for HR Professionals and Why You Need It

In modern business environments, data is increasingly relied upon to help professionals make important decisions about a company's future and even the composition of its staff. Human resources (HR) staff can use Microsoft Excel to perform a number of data-related tasks that help them assess workers' productivity or glean information about how to retain them as employees. Read More ...

Microsoft Project vs. Excel: Which Should You Use for Project Management?

One of the first responsibilities of a project manager is to decide which software to use to perform project management tasks. In most cases, they choose between Microsoft Project and Excel. The particular software used will depend on a project manager's preferences and needs, but it's important to carefully compare the two before making this decision. Read More ...

Excel Courses for Accountants: How to Learn Excel as a Financial Professional

Accountants and other finance professionals have understood Microsoft Excel's computational power since its creation. With its spreadsheet layout and ability to immediately calculate numbers using formulas, it's surpassed paper ledgers in both usefulness and convenience. But while this software is vastly useful to a variety of accounting professionals, it can come with a steep learning curve, requiring thoughtfully designing training courses to master. Read More ...

Microsoft Project vs. Microsoft Planner: Which Should You Use?

If you're in search of project management software, two Microsoft programs are probably already on your radar: Project and Planner. While each can facilitate project planning and execution, their differences can help you determine which software is right for you. Read More ...

Microsoft Project vs. Smartsheet Comparison: Which Should You Use?

While there are several popular project management tools on the market, project managers often find themselves choosing between two: Microsoft Project and Smartsheet. Although similar in overall function, each offers unique features that can make selecting the right software essential to project management success. Read More ...

Microsoft Project for Project Management: Benefits and Tips for Use

Microsoft Project's complexity can be overwhelming for even the most seasoned project managers. Thankfully, employing certain software tips and tricks can easily improve your efficiency and productivity to ensure that you complete your projects on time and to your clients' satisfaction. Read More ...

Why Use Microsoft Project for Construction Management?

When it comes to project management within the construction industry, the concepts of control and attention to detail are integral to success. Fortunately, modern software like Microsoft Project can simplify planning every aspect of a project, from the first hammered nail to the ground-breaking ceremony. Read More ...

Microsoft Project Basics: A Beginner's Guide

Microsoft Project is a powerful project management program developed by Microsoft. It is designed to assist project managers, executives, analysts, and team leaders in planning, tracking, and executing projects efficiently. Whether you're managing a small team with simple projects or a larger team that manages complex projects with multiple dependencies... Read More ...

Microsoft Project Best Practices: How to Get the Most Out of Your PM Software

Project managers have a lot on their plate. It's up to them to make sure that their entire team is on track to meet all of their deadlines, meaning that they're ultimately the ones responsible for whether a project gets done on time or not. Many of these professionals use Microsoft Project to schedule tasks and manage resource allocation, but what many of them may not know is that this software also has a lot of more advanced capabilities that can help them maximize their efficiency... Read More ...

Common Shortcuts and Tips for Improving Efficiency in MS Project

Many project managers have turned to Microsoft Project when they're looking for ways to keep their teams organized and boost their productivity. MS Project assists with creating project schedules, planning timelines, controlling projects, defining tasks for each teammate, assigning resources, and tracking progress. Like with any software, it can take some time and effort to learn all the different intricacies of the program... Read More ...

How to Learn MS Project

Project management software can be difficult to learn because not only do you need a basic understanding of how the software works, but you also need to understand the processes that it works with: You need to have a firm grasp of the principles and techniques of project management. That said... Read More ...

What's the Difference Between MS Project Online and MS Project Desktop Versions?

With so many Microsoft Project products available, it's easy to become confused when trying to find the right solution for your project management needs. In order to successfully perform project management with the software, however, it's important to understand the differences between each version of the program. Read More ...

How to Use MS Project

Learning how to use Microsoft Project is a goal that every prospective project manager should have. With a few basic skills in hand and knowledge of training resources, successful project management is an achievable goal, even for beginners. Read More ...

Microsoft Project Use Cases: What MS Project Is Used For

Microsoft Project provides users with a comprehensive suite of tools to easily perform complex project management tasks. Different people might use particular functions or features more depending on their role in a business, but all users can rely on MS Project to simplify labor-intensive project management tasks. Read More ...

Overview of Microsoft Project: How to Use its Features and Benefits to Help Your Business

Every project manager should consider having Microsoft Project in their arsenal. Simply put, Microsoft Project is software that provides users with numerous ways to conduct project management. With Microsoft Project, you'll be able to easily complete a number of important project management tasks, including but not limited to... Read More ...

Is MS Project Easy to Learn?

When the time comes for students to learn how to use Microsoft Project, they often worry about how difficult it will be to understand and apply in a workplace setting. Like many other pieces of productivity software, Microsoft Project has a learning curve. Comprehending the power of the program, however, can be made easier by familiarizing yourself with a few key project management concepts and basic Microsoft Project features. Read More ...

How Can I Improve My MS Project Skills?

When faced with Microsoft Project's complexity, employees often wonder how they can improve their skills with the program. Making Microsoft Project easier to work with can often hinge on taking a few basic steps, including understanding how you want to use the software, familiarizing yourself with its features and functions, and learning how to harness the program's power to your advantage. Read More ...

How Long Will it Take to Learn MS Project?

For busy professionals and stressed students, finding the time to learn new skills can be a challenge. If the subject is particularly tricky to master, as Microsoft Project can be, the time investment required can dissuade people from enrolling in a training class. But while it can take a while to learn MS Project, it doesn't always have to. In fact, you might be able to pick up the skills you need in a lot less time than you think. Read More ...

What Do You Learn in MS Project Courses?

What you learn in a Microsoft Project course can hinge on your particular skill set and the course in which you choose to enroll. It can go without saying that beginners will undergo different training than those who sign up for advanced classes. For this reason, your success with Microsoft Project courses can be highly dependent on choosing classes that align with your professional goals, knowledge of project management concepts, and experience with similar programs. Read More ...

How Can I Understand Microsoft Project With an Online Course?

Project management can have even the most seasoned professionals reaching for their stress balls, but learning how to successfully navigate and use Microsoft Project can be its own mountain to climb. Once employees learn how to use the software, however, they often find that their project management duties can be streamlined and they can enjoy the relief of a good workflow. Read More ...

How to Learn Excel Online Fast?

Every day, countless employees find that one of the best ways to make their work lives easier and pocketbooks fatter is to learn Microsoft Excel. Whether you work for a corporate entity or a small business or are a creative freelancer, Excel provides all of the digital tools necessary to organize, manage, and analyze large amounts of data. Read More ...

How to Become a Microsoft Certified Professional?

Whether you work in a corporate environment or for a small business, obtaining a Microsoft certification will undoubtedly support your career ambitions. Earning a Microsoft certification can demonstrate your specialized skills to employers, increase your pay rate, and even lay the groundwork for a promotion. While determining whether to pursue a Microsoft certification can be an easy decision to make... Read More ...

The Benefits of Taking Online Microsoft Office Training Classes From Home

It goes without saying that one of the most popular productivity suites on the market is Microsoft Office. Home training in this software’s features and functions is becoming increasingly common as the remote workforce grows. If you’re on the fence about whether you should enroll inconvenient, home-based classes, you should know that these types of courses can offer several benefits over their traditional, in-person counterparts. Read More ...

Employee Training for HR Professionals: Suggested Computer Courses

Human resources (HR) professionals can be responsible for keeping employees paid, happy, and up to date with the skills that they need to perform their jobs well. For these reasons and many others, the responsibilities of those in human resource management (HRM) can be some of the most important in a business. Read More ...

How to Learn Microsoft Outlook Online?

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most popular and trusted email software solutions on the market. Businesses can rely on its security capabilities, integration features, and dependability. Companies and employees alike find new reasons to prefer Outlook over other email clients every day, from allowing offline access to emails to its rich customization options. Read More ...

How Can I Learn Microsoft SharePoint Online?

Microsoft SharePoint is becoming more popular in commercial offices, and increasing digital workplace collaboration has made it an essential platform across many industries. As the need for quickly sharing documents, information, and records grows, the value of an employee’s SharePoint skills will also rise. By enrolling in SharePoint training classes, workers can get the skills they need to help themselves and their employers to succeed. Read More ...

Learning Microsoft Access: How Hard Will it Be?

Database management can be an integral part of many different types of businesses, from large corporations to smaller enterprises. For those companies that need to manage data in a more powerful way than simply maintaining a basic spreadsheet, training a group of employees to use MS Access can be a sound investment. Choosing the best training courses can ensure that each student gets the most out of this tool. Read More ...

Tips for Learning Excel as Quickly as Possible

If you’ve found yourself in a bind and need to learn Microsoft Excel as fast as you can, you’ll be relieved to know that you can familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of the program fairly quickly. After making strategic decisions regarding which features and functions to concentrate on, applying a few simple study tips, and using good time-management skills... Read More ...

Tips for Improving Your Excel Skills

Employees often wonder what they can do to immediately improve their on-the-job performance and become a valued member of the team. One answer is straightforward: learn Microsoft Excel skills. There’s simply no easier way to work smarter and faster and get paid more. While Excel is rich with features and functions, the best Excel skills for you to learn will be those that allow you to perform your specific job to the best of your ability. Read More ...

How to Learn Excel: Training Online for Certification?

If you’re interested in earning Microsoft Excel certification, the journey to success starts with signing up for hands-on Excel training. Online courses or on-site classes that teach students how to understand and operate Excel can open the gates to a higher-paying job or a much-desired promotion. Read More ...

Microsoft Visio: What Is it, and How Is it Used?

If you’re looking for an impeccable piece of diagramming software, it’s hard to find anything better than Microsoft’s Visio. However, since Visio is a powerful program, its capabilities can be overwhelming for the average user, and learning how to successfully work with it often requires enrolling in Visio courses. Read More ...

Learn Advanced Excel: Topics, Tips, and Training

Advanced Excel skills are highly valued attributes that hiring managers look for in job candidates and business owners appreciate in employees. Analyzing, organizing, and managing data with complex solutions can keep a company’s financials accurate and on track toward making profits. Read More ...

Key Management Skills: PowerPoint Presentation Skills and How to Learn Them

The uses for PowerPoint presentations are limitless, and they can cover all manner of topics, from business financials to management skills. PowerPoint presentation effectiveness can often hinge on your ability to deliver clear and beneficial information to your audience. It can also depend on using PowerPoint in innovative and intuitive ways that instantly connect with viewers. Read More ...

What is Microsoft Access and How is it Learned?

Microsoft Access is a database management system, which can sound intimidating for those new to the software. One easy way to understand it is to think of it as a database with the functionality of an advanced spreadsheet. The true strength of Microsoft Access is its ability to manage and analyze related data without sacrificing speed and accuracy. Read More ...

What is Microsoft Project and How is it Used in Business?

Microsoft Project is an indispensable tool for project managers and others who are invested in projects’ planning, execution, and results. While its features and functions can seem intimidating, a little training can help employees become fluent in the software’s particulars, and the optional step of certification can turn the average project manager into an office superstar. Read More ...

Excel Formulas Explained: Which Formulas to Use When

Knowing the right formula to use starts with understanding the task at hand and the possible Excel tools at your disposal. When discussing Excel functions and formulas, it’s important to know that they’re two different things. An Excel function is a predefined calculation that the software is capable of performing, and Excel formulas are calculations that users manually input, which can work in tandem with a function. Read More ...

Benefits of Advanced Excel Training: How Learning Intermediate Excel Skills Can Boost Your Business

For individuals new to Excel and those looking to build upon existing knowledge of the program, signing up for Excel classes can be a smart investment of time, money, and brainpower. Completing training can make them irresistible to potential employers, increase their current salaries, and even protect their jobs. Read More ...

Microsoft Excel Certification: Cost and Benefits

If you work in a data-driven industry, you’ve probably come to recognize Microsoft Excel’s value in your workplace. Whether you’re a business owner or an employee, learning Excel can help you manage and interpret data within seconds, making your job easier. Many in the workforce express interest in learning Excel and testing for certification, but they can be intimidated by the potential investment. Read More ...

What is the best way to learn basic Microsoft Excel?

For many business owners and employees, learning basic or advanced Excel skills can be an important part of successfully managing operations. Workplaces that depend on Excel will benefit from training their employees on how to use the program and making them fluent in the program’s features as if it were a second language. Read More ...

Excel Basics: What Can it Do, and How Can You Use it? A Guide to Excel for Beginners

Grids and ledgers have always been an integral part of good business operations. Luckily, we live in an age that makes keeping track of numbers easy for business owners and employees, as long as they know how to operate an indispensable piece of software called Excel. Read More ...

Microsoft Excel Tutorials & Training Resources

Learning Microsoft Excel can be perfect for organizing business data as well as keeping track of different types of records. This computer program can be a powerful tool, but it can also be daunting for beginners to pick up. However, with the use of a few helpful resources, anyone can begin getting the most out of this common business tool. Read More ...

Resource Guide: Microsoft Excel Pivot Tables

Microsoft Excel Pivot Tables are a powerful tool to analyze large or small amounts of data quickly. They allow you to dynamically switch between views of your data without the use of traditional time-consuming formulas. Additionally, Excel Pivot Charts allow visual depiction of your data in the same ease of swapping views of your data. Read More ...

Microsoft Office Tips and Tutorials

Knowing how to use Microsoft Office is an essential job skill in many careers. There are training courses available and many schools even offer computer courses that teach Microsoft Office. Read More ...

Microsoft Office: Not Just For the Office and Students

Many people use Microsoft Office at work or in school, so it has a reputation as a program just for students or business professionals. The truth is, Microsoft Office has hundreds of uses for those who want a way to better manage their households. Read More ...

Microsoft Office Training Resource Library

Microsoft Office is a collection of applications for use on both Windows and Mac computers. Included in these applications are programs that can enhance education. The Word program allows students to write their essays on the computer and either print them or submit them to their instructors digitally. Office is also useful within the classroom. Read More ...

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