Learn Microsoft Office

Learn about the most popular and widely used office suite: Microsoft Office.

Trusted by more than 10,000 teams worldwide

Microsoft Office, particularly through its Microsoft 365 subscription, is a suite of productivity applications designed to facilitate modern work.

It includes tools for document creation, data analysis, and seamless collaboration.

Microsoft Office remains an essential platform for businesses and individuals wanting to stay competitive.

The suite’s ongoing innovations — including AI-powered features and cloud-synced collaboration tools — ensure its continued relevance in a digital-first world.

This guide provides a clear, up-to-date overview of all office suite programs. Learn how to leverage every tool for success in achieving your professional goals.

What applications are included in Microsoft Office Suite?

Microsoft Office has come a long way since its launch in 1988. What began as a small collection of productivity tools has evolved into a comprehensive suite designed for both individual users and businesses.

Today, Microsoft Office supports modern work environments with powerful tools for real-time document creation, data analysis, communication, and collaboration.

Here’s an overview of what’s included in the current version of the Office suite:

Microsoft Word

Word is Microsoft’s premier word processing app. Initially introduced to a market dominated by other processors, it became the industry standard following the integration of the Windows operating system.

Today, Word is the most widely used word processing program globally. It includes an array of features for document creation and editing, including spell-check, a rich text editor, and advanced page features such as justification, indentation, and styles.

You also benefit from the what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) display, ensuring the screen displays everything exactly as it will appear when printed or shared as a PDF.

Microsoft Excel

Excel is Microsoft’s spreadsheet program used to organize, format, and calculate data.

Users can create complex formulas to aggregate large amounts of data, develop graphs and charts, create macros, and develop pivot tables.

Now the undisputed leader in spreadsheet software, Excel is the go-to tool for financial modeling and data management.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint helps you create professional presentations using a slide-based format.

Since its launch, PowerPoint has added a variety of features to streamline and enhance presentations, such as cinematic transition effects, presenter timers, and seamless multimedia integrations.

Microsoft OneNote

OneNote acts as a digital notebook, allowing you to jot down thoughts, drawings, and screen grabs before they are forgotten.

The application automatically saves and syncs notes across all devices, making it easy to share ideas and collaborate with other online users in real time.

Microsoft Outlook

Mainly used as an email application, Outlook serves as a personal information manager. It coordinates calendars, task managers, contacts, and notes within a single interface.

Outlook can be used as a stand-alone app or networked to connect multiple users to shared mailboxes and calendars within an organization.

Microsoft Access

Access is a database management system that provides a graphical user interface and software development tools.

It allows users to store or import data from other databases to create custom forms, tables, queries, and reports.

Microsoft Publisher

Publisher is a desktop publishing program with an emphasis on page layout and design.

The program includes templates for common business needs, such as business cards, calendars, and newsletters. It is often utilized as a user-friendly alternative to complex design software like Adobe InDesign.

SharePoint

SharePoint is a document management and storage system that allows groups to set up secure, password-protected document sharing.

It is a cornerstone for enterprise-level businesses, used by 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies, providing an organized and secure location for internal resources.

What is Microsoft 365?

Currently, standalone Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 are the primary options available, each catering to different needs. Standalone versions appeal to users who prefer a traditional one-time purchase, while the subscription-based Microsoft 365 currently dominates the market.

Widely adopted by businesses of all sizes, Microsoft 365 provides powerful tools for collaboration (such as Microsoft Teams), robust cloud storage with OneDrive, and a comprehensive suite of constantly updated applications.

What is the difference between Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365?

Office vs Microsoft 365

You can still choose between the traditional Microsoft Office desktop version and the Microsoft 365 subscription model. While both offer the core programs users are accustomed to, the upfront costs and platform flexibility vary significantly.

Microsoft Office (Desktop)

Microsoft Office (desktop) is purchased via a one-time payment for installation on a single device. You are typically provided with a digital download code or a physical key card.

This purchase gives you access to that specific version of the program indefinitely. However, to receive a major version upgrade or new features, you would need to purchase the next standalone package at full price.

Standard bundles typically include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for a specific operating system (Mac or PC).

Example product key

Microsoft 365 (Online Subscription)

Microsoft 365 is a subscription product available through monthly or annual payments. Program upgrades are included in this fee; whenever Microsoft updates its apps, subscribers automatically receive the newest versions and features.

Because 365 is cloud-based, it can be accessed via any compatible device. This allows flexibility for businesses, as documents are not tethered to a single licensed computer.

Online subscription includes cloud benefits

Microsoft 365 Personal subscriptions can be used on multiple devices and include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, and Access, plus 1 TB of OneDrive storage.

Microsoft 365 Family subscriptions can be shared by up to six people, providing each with their own storage and app access.

Microsoft 365 Business plans include the standard apps plus advanced features like Microsoft Teams and enhanced security protocols.

Microsoft continues to prioritize 365 as the primary way for users to access exclusive cloud-powered upgrades and integrated services.

Free Microsoft Office training resources

We’ve put together a few handy and free resources to help you hone your essential Office skills below.

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Outlook

Best time-saving Outlook hacks

Microsoft Office Certification

Microsoft offers official certifications for individuals to demonstrate expertise. While not always a strict job requirement, these credentials can be highly beneficial for trainers or roles where technical Office skills are a primary focus.

Certified professionals often see higher average earnings than their uncertified peers. There are three primary levels of certification:

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

This demonstrates proficiency in core applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and OneNote.

Microsoft Office Specialist Expert

This involves advanced skill work in Microsoft Word and Excel, testing the ability to use complex features like mail merges, data analysis functions, and advanced PivotTables.

Microsoft Office Specialist Master

This is the highest designation, demonstrating mastery across the full suite. To reach Master status, certifications must be obtained in several core applications.

Microsoft office FAQ

How do you download Microsoft Office?

You can download Microsoft software directly from the official website. After selecting the plan that fits your needs, you simply log in with a Microsoft account to begin the installation.

Standalone Purchase: Visit the Microsoft Store on your device.
Microsoft 365: Visit the Microsoft 365 comparison page to select a subscription.
Subscribers: Get always-up-to-date apps, OneDrive storage, and ongoing tech support.

Pricing for Microsoft 365 varies by region and plan, but generally starts at competitive monthly rates for Personal users, with Family and Business plans scaling based on the number of users and security features required.

How to get Microsoft Office for free?

While the full suite typically requires a purchase, there are several ways to access Office tools at a discount or for free:

Multiple Licenses: The Microsoft 365 Family plan allows the cost to be split among several users, making it highly affordable per person.
Military: Active and retired military members often qualify for significant discounts on Office products.
Older version: If you don’t need the newest cloud features, older standalone versions can sometimes be found at a lower price point through authorized retailers.
Employee programs: Microsoft employees and certain partner companies often have access to highly discounted licenses as part of their employment benefits.
Free online versions: Microsoft offers Office on the Web, which provides free, basic versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint accessible through any web browser with a free Microsoft account.