<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n2. Leverage the Free Stock Images, Icons & Videos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Most businesses need to have nice-looking images from time to time. They\u2019re used on websites, brochures, and presentations. But finding good business images can be expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can\u2019t just do a Google search to find them because they may be copyrighted. You need to have images that you can use commercially without any problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside Word, Excel, and PowerPoint you have a treasure trove of images. These are free to use in your marketing. You also have videos, icons, and even 3D models, all there for the picking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find them by going to Insert > Pictures > Stock Images<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use the tab at the top to tab between the different media. Then, click to insert it directly into your document, spreadsheet, or presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n3. Save Time by Using Data Types in Excel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Researching things like the population of a city or the nutrition value of a new menu can take days. Did you know that inside Excel you have access to several databases?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can leverage facts and figures stored inside Excel\u2019s \u201cdata types.” They include topics on everything from chemistry to yoga poses. Use data types to populate tons of data in seconds for various topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start by adding your list (e.g., a list of menu items)<\/li> Highlight your list.<\/li> Then, click the Data tab.<\/li> In the Data Types window, choose the type of data it is (e.g., Food, Plant, etc.).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNext, click the small database icon that appears at the top of the list. <\/li> Choose the type of data you want. <\/li> The details will populate into the next open column on the right for each list item.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n4. Save Time on Customer Surveys with Microsoft Forms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Microsoft Forms is one of the best-kept secrets of M365. This cloud-based survey and form builder makes it simple to send out surveys to people. You get the results back as soon as they click \u201csubmit\u201d on the cloud-based form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can even download the results directly to Excel. Using them for graphing or uploading them into a software template.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n5. Use PPT\u2019s Presenter Coach to Improve Your Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Do you worry when it comes time to give a presentation to clients or your own team? Not everyone feels comfortable about public speaking, even if it\u2019s virtual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PowerPoint can help with a handy AI-powered feature called Presenter Coach. Turn this coach on when practicing your presentation. It will give you tips on your pacing, use of filler words (e.g., umm), repetitive language, and much more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look for the \u201cRehearse with Coach\u201d option on the Slide Show menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Save Recurring Email Text in Outlook\u2019s Quick Parts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Do you have certain emails you send to customers that have the same paragraphs of text in them? For example, it might be directions to your building or how to contact support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stop retyping the same info every time. Outlook has a feature called Quick Parts that saves and then inserts blocks of text into emails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Create a Quick Part by highlighting the text to save in an email.<\/li> On the Insert Menu, click Quick Parts.<\/li> Save Quick Part.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhen ready to insert that text into another email, just use the same menu. Then click to insert the Quick Part.<\/p>\n\n\n