What is Microsoft 365 and Office apps?
Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud-based suite of productivity applications that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams, and more. As a VIU student or employee, you can access these apps online, on your computer, or on your mobile device.
Microsoft 365 apps (also known as Office apps) are the desktop versions of the Microsoft Office applications that you can install on your personal device. They are updated regularly and have the same features as the online versions. You can use them offline and sync your files to the cloud when you are online.
How do I access Office apps online?
You can access Microsoft 365 apps online through the Microsoft 365 Portal. This is a page where you can sign in with your VIU email address and password (for employees) or your stumail account (for students) and access all the online apps and services that are available to you. You can also manage your account settings, such as changing your password, from the portal.
To access the Microsoft 365 Portal, follow these steps:
- Open your web browser and go to portal.office.com
- Enter your VIU email address (for employees) or stumail account (for students) and click Next
- Enter your password and click Sign in
- You will see a dashboard with tiles for different apps and services. Click on the app you want to use.
Follow this link for more information on how student Microsoft 365 accounts work
How do I access Office apps on my computer?
If you are using a VIU-issued computer, such as a student lab computer or an employee device, you should already have Office apps installed on it. You can find them in the Start menu or the taskbar. You can sign in with your VIU account to access your files and settings.
If you want to install Microsoft 365 apps on your personal device, such as your laptop or desktop, you can do so for free as a VIU student or employee.
Where can I find help?
If you need help with using Microsoft 365 apps, there are several resources available to you. Here are some of them:
For general help and tutorials, you can visit the Microsoft 365 Training Center, where you can find videos, guides, and tips for each app.
Application Help (F1)
For specific questions and issues, you can use the built-in help feature in each app. You can access it by clicking on the question mark icon in the top right corner or by pressing F1 on your keyboard. You can also use the search box to type in your query and get relevant results.
Training Opportunities (VIU Employees)
For more in-depth learning, you can take online courses on LinkedIn Learning, which is a free service for VIU employees. You can find courses for each app and skill level, as well as certificates and badges that you can earn and share.
To watch these courses, you will need to sign up for Linkedin Learning (available to VIU employees)
Excel Essential Training is a course that covers the basics of Excel, such as creating and editing worksheets, working with formulas and functions, formatting data, and using charts and tables. You can also learn how to collaborate and share workbooks with others, and how to use Excel on mobile devices.
Word Essential Training is a course that teaches you how to create, edit, and format documents in Word. You can also learn how to use styles, themes, templates, and mail merge, as well as how to collaborate and co-author documents with others.
PowerPoint Essential Training is a course that shows you how to create and deliver engaging presentations in PowerPoint. You can also learn how to use themes, layouts, transitions, animations, and multimedia, as well as how to rehearse, record, and share your presentations with others.
Outlook Essential Training is a course that helps you master the core features and functions of Outlook, such as managing your email, calendar, contacts, and tasks. You can also learn how to customize Outlook, use keyboard shortcuts, and integrate Outlook with other Microsoft 365 apps and services.
OneNote Essential Training is a course that demonstrates how OneNote can be used to take notes, organize thoughts, do research, and collaborate with others on projects. You can also learn how to use OneNote on different devices, sync your notebooks, and share your notes with others.
Microsoft Teams Essential Training is a course that teaches you how to use Teams for chat, video meetings, file sharing, and team collaboration. You can also learn how to create and join teams, manage team settings and permissions, and integrate Teams with other Microsoft 365 apps and services.