Excerpt
Microsoft Office XP is Microsoft's suite of application software. The Standard version includes Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. The Professional version includes the above applications plus Access. This book covers Word (the word processing tool), Excel (the spreadsheet tool), PowerPoint (the presentation tool), and Access (the database tool). Because Microsoft Office is an integrated suite, the components can all be used separately or together to create professional-looking documents and to manage data.
How We've Organized the Book
Learning Microsoft Office XP is made up of seven sections:
- BasicsIncluded on CD
This short chapter introduces essential Office skillsincluding starting Microsoft Office, using the mouse and keyboard, screen elements, and an overview of the applications. If you are completely new to the Office suite, you should start with this lesson. All of the lessons on CD can be printed out or viewed on-screen. See page ix for details on how to access the files.
- Word 2002
With Word you can create letters, memos, Web pages, newsletters, and more.
- Excel 2002
Excel, Microsoft's spreadsheet component, is used to organize and calculate data, track financial data, and create charts and graphs.
- Access 2002
Access is Microsoft's powerful database tool. Using Access you will learn to store, retrieve, and report on information.
- PowerPoint 2002
Create dynamic on-screen presentations with PowerPoint, the presentation graphics tool.
- Challenge LessonIncluded on CD
This chapter combines critical thinking, application integration, and Internet skills. In the Challenge Lesson, you will retrieve data from the Internet, send Web documents via e-mail, download clip art and add it to a PowerPoint presentation, create a Web page, and more. In each exercise, only basic step directions are givenyou need to rely on your own skills to complete the exercise.
- Advanced LessonsIncluded on CD
These lessons cover advanced Word, Excel, and Access skills.
Each chapter in Learning Microsoft Office XP is made up of several lessons. Lessons are comprised of short exercises designed for using Office XP in real-life business settings. Every application exercise (except for the Critical Thinking Exercises and the Challenge Exercises) is made up of seven key elements:
- On the Job. Each exercise starts with a brief description of how you would use the features of that exercise in the workplace.
- Exercise Scenario. The Office tools are then put into context by setting a scenario. For example, you may be a designer putting together a promotional sales flyer using Word or you may be responsible for tracking inventory for a gourmet-food store.
- Terms. Key terms are included and defined at the start of each exercise, so you can quickly refer back to them. The terms are then highlighted in the text.
- Notes. Concise notes for learning the computer concepts.
- Procedures. Hands-on mouse and keyboard procedures teach all necessary skills.
- Application Exercise. Step-by-step instructions put your skills to work.
- On Your Own. Each exercise concludes with a critical thinking activity that you can work through on your own. You may have to create a personal budget spreadsheet in Excel or a personal Web page in Word. You are challenged to come up with data and then additionally challenged to use the data in a document. The On Your Own sections can be used as additional reinforcement, for practice, or to test skill proficiency.
- In addition, each lesson ends with a Critical Thinking Exercise. As with the On Your Owns, you need to rely on your own skills to complete the task.