IT Basics: Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 comprises a wide range of applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word and OneNote. University of Westminster students can use Microsoft 365 for free, online or downloading it on up to 5 PCs or Macs. 

How to access Office 365

If you're signing up for the first time you'll need to:

1. Go to the Office 365 login page
2. Enter your Office 365 username, which is your University username followed by @westminster.ac.uk. Your University username is 'w' followed by the first 7 digits on your student ID card. For example, if your University username is w1234567, your Office 365 username will be w1234567@westminster.ac.uk. Do not confuse this username with your student Gmail, which ends with @my.westminster.ac.uk
3. Enter your University password.

You can find more guidance on the Student Hub.

Getting started with Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 basics video training: Microsoft provides a series of short videos covering the basics of using Microsoft 365. The same site also includes more detailed pages answering specific questions.

Excel is a spreadsheet application that lets you create and analyse tables of data. It includes the means to perform complex calculations and create impressive graphs to visualise your data.

Getting started with Microsoft Excel

The Microsoft Education Center has a range of resources to help you learn to use PowerPoint, including videos, FAQs, and details of webinars and online training.

For example. there is a short video on how to use the IF function. Once you've learned how to use the IF function you'll be able to compare and sort your data in new ways, and have a versatile tool to add to your data-handling skills.

LinkedIn Learning courses

LinkedIn Learning have a wide range of courses to help you learn to use Excel confidently. These two are great to start discovering Excel:

• Excel Essential Training (Office 365/Microsoft 365): A comprehensive course that you can complete in under two and half hours, or you can pick and choose the sections that best suit your needs. The course starts with the basics and builds to show you how to use formulas and functions, create charts, and how to customise the formatting of your spreadsheets.
• Excel Tips Weekly: A weekly series of short demonstration videos. Each video is a self-contained lesson that shows a specific tip or trick that you can use to develop your Excel knowledge.

OneNote is a a note-taking application that allows you to combine text, images, and freehand drawing to capture your ideas.

Getting started with Microsoft OneNote

The Microsoft Education Center has a range of resources to help you learn to use OneNote, including videos, FAQs, and details of webinars and online training.

For example, there is a short video on the inclusivity and accessibility features in OneNote. These features can help you to customise your note-taking to better suit your learning style and needs.

LinkedIn Learning courses

LinkedIn Learning have a wide range of courses to help you learn to use OneNote confidently, such as:

• OneNote 2016 Essential Training: An extensive course that you can complete in under two hours, or you can use the chapter headings to focus on the areas that interest you. The course covers how to format your notes, adding content directly from different sources, and how to share your notes.

PowerPoint is an application that lets you create slideshows to support your presentations. It allows you to combine text, images, animations, and other media.

Getting started with Microsoft PowerPoint

The Microsoft Education Center has a range of resources to help you learn to use PowerPoint, including videos, FAQs, and details of webinars and online training.

For example, there is a short video on how to use the Presenter Coach. Using this feature you can get feedback on your pacing, clarity, overall presentation style. This can help you to improve your presentation skills and build confidence when presenting your work.

LinkedIn Learning courses

LinkedIn Learning have a wide range of courses to help you learn to use PowerPoint confidently. Two that stand out are:

• PowerPoint Essential Training (Office 365/Microsoft 365): A comprehensive course that you can complete in just over two and half hours, or you can pick and choose the sections that best suit your needs. The course starts with the basics and builds to show you how to format your slides, add charts to display data, and use timed animations to support your delivery.

Word is a word-processing application that can be used for writing essays, reports, and range of other types of document.

Getting started with Microsoft Word

The Microsoft Education Center has a range of resources to help you learn to use Word, including videos, FAQs, and details of webinars and online training.

For example, there is a short video on how to use the Editor feature to improve your writing. It helps you improve your writing by checking your spelling and grammar, and can also check your writing for clarity and ease of reading.

LinkedIn Learning courses

LinkedIn Learning have a wide range of courses to help you learn to use Word confidently, such as:

• Word Essential Training (Office 365/Microsoft 365): A comprehensive course that you can complete in just over two hours, or you can pick and choose the sections that best suit your needs. The course includes the wide range of ways to format a document and tools for sharing and reviewing documents.