• Microsoft Office includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. When you open a Microsoft Office application, you are greeted by the same user-friendly and attractive design as other applications in the suite. A mouse or shortcut keys help you maneuver within and between programs. You'll find movable toolbars across the top screen and a minimize/maximize button. Microsoft Office applications come with an Office Assistant that provides screen tips, message alerts or help within each program.
  
  Microsoft Office works for the professional, business owner, teacher, student and homemaker---making their jobs easier. A teacher can create her monthly schedule in Outlook and maintain her students' grades in Excel. You can't truly learn how Microsoft Office works without studying its applications individually.
  
  

Microsoft Office Word Application

• Microsoft Office Word lets you create and share documents. In-built templates make it easy to build documents quickly and efficiently. If you can't find a template in your system, you can search for one online.
  
  Microsoft Office Word works as a time-saver. You can perform a mail-merge (using a data source from Word or another location) without typing a separate document for each record/person. You can ask Word to track changes or add comments to a document your team wants to review or edit. Word uses AutoText and macros to help you repeat actions you perform frequently. You can create/reuse styles in multiple documents to give them a consistent look.
  
  Microsoft Office Word lets you spice up your documents with clip art, charts, tables and columns.
  
  When you are done, you can email your document to others or save it for later. Word lets you save your file as a document, Web page, XML file or template and add password protection.
  
  

Microsoft Office Excel Application

• Microsoft Office Excel works as an accountant for your home or business. You can create spreadsheets, sort/filter data and track your spending. Easily compare your company's profit/loss and summarize data with Excel's chart generator and PivotTable.
  
  Microsoft Office Excel saves you time with its inbuilt formula and formatting tool. You can record/use macros for tasks you perform frequently, so you don't have to repeat them each time. If you need to save paper or don't want to print your entire sheet, you can ask Excel to print a section of your page.
  
  Sharing data is more secure with Microsoft Office Excel. You can export your workbook to the Web or other programs. You can even add a task to your workbook in Excel and then track it in Outlook.
  
  

Microsoft Office PowerPoint Application

• If you need to create presentations, Microsoft Office PowerPoint is the way to go. Not only can you utilize its inbuilt templates, but you can also choose one online.
  
  PowerPoint works as an advertising agent. Captivate your audience by adding images, charts and sound effects to slides. Microsoft Office PowerPoint makes organizing your presentations easy. You can rearrange the order of your slides, change their design and color scheme, or add custom animations/transitions to them.
  
  Save your finished product as a presentation, Web page or CD, or email it to a colleague.
  
  

Microsoft Office Outlook

• As an email program, Microsoft Office Outlook helps you send and receive emails. You can choose to send your documents "as attachments" or "for review."
  
  Microsoft Office Outlook works as your personal secretary by helping you set appointments or reminders, assign or manage tasks, and follow-up on assignments. Color-coded tasks help you manage daily tasks more easily. Utilize Outlook's inbuilt notes to jot down ideas, questions and reminders.
  
  Microsoft Office Outlook works as a time-saver. You can import contacts from the Web or other applications and export them. Outlook's distribution list lets you create/send emails to designated groups. The "Find" tool helps you locate lost messages and contacts quickly.