In this course, you'll learn how to use the new features of Microsoft Office 2007. Through easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, you'll get comfortable creating Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and an Access database. On the surface, MS Office 2007 looks a lot different than previous versions (no more menus or toolbars!), but by learning to understand the dramatically changed, Ribbon-based interface, you'll quickly get back on the road to productivity.

In each program, we'll take a quick tour that shows you how to perform the most common everyday tasks. You'll work with a flier, a budget, a funding presentation, and an inventory database--all things you might need to produce in real life. And as you start to feel at home with the Ribbon and tabs, you'll find that underneath that shiny new dashboard, many "nuts and bolts" of the programs aren't really all that different than before!

In Word, you'll learn about QuickStyles and other ways to apply automatic formatting to your documents. You'll insert professional-looking graphics like text boxes and SmartArt. You'll use the new document themes--sets of delicious colors and matching fonts that will make you feel like a graphic designer!

In Excel, you'll use handy cell styles to quickly format your worksheets. You'll see how the new Page Layout view lets you work with your spreadsheets more easily. You'll customize great-looking Excel chart designs to make them totally your own with special effects like reflections, shadows, and WordArt. And you'll see how the Excel list feature lets you handle columnar data like name and address lists.

In PowerPoint, we'll explore new text and graphics features that will take your presentations to a new level. You'll use charts and diagrams to make your important points. And you'll really enjoy special formatting features that can make your presentations shine. Custom backgrounds plus slide show animations and transitions will get your audience's attention and keep it!

In Access, you'll find out how simple it is to create databases by using field templates and some new field types. You'll also learn to use classy new formats for forms and reports. And you'll see how database templates can help you get up and running sooner.

Before you know it, you'll be using each MS Office 2007 program with ease, accomplishing your work faster, and creating documents that look better than ever!

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when lessons are released. You will have access to all lessons until the course ends. However, the interactive discussion area that accompanies each lesson will automatically close two weeks after the lesson is released. As such, we strongly recommend that you complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The final exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the final exam has been released, you will have two weeks to complete all of your course work, including the final exam.

Microsoft Office 2007 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access) SP1, (software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins); Microsoft Windows XP or Vista; Internet access to obtain clip art and templates is recommended but not absolutely necessary; Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader). Note: This course is not suitable for Macintosh users. This course assumes a basic knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access 2003, but all tasks are taught using simple explanations in an easy step-by-step format, so that even someone rusty on some features will still be able to master the basics of Office 2007 and complete the course.

Note:  "Starter Version" and "Web App" versions of Microsoft Word 2010 and Microsoft Excel 2010 will not work with the full version of Word and Excel taught in this course. 

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Barbara Clemens.

“ Your method of presenting, explaining and clarifying objectives of Microsoft Office 2007 were very significant and appropriate. I appreciated your quick and clear responses to students. questions in the discussion area. It eliminated my need for questions. Thank you so much. ”

“ I also have dreaded this part of Excel (lists and formatting them); but am overjoyed to see how fun and easy it is. Thank you for making our assignments easy to follow. I am looking for work and know that this will help in me finding another job. I sure could have used it in my last job. Thanks again. ”

“ I've always used Word and as a writer, I've always thought, "There has to be a better way!" Now I'm getting what all those bells and whistles are and how to use them. ”

“ These Word lessons are great! The .down-to-earth" basic instructional language, vocabulary, and views are just the guidance I needed in order to give teaching instructions to my co-workers and elementary (gr.3-8) students. I loved the way you showed some of the basic comparisons of Office 2003 to Office 2007. These Word lessons have given me some ideas for lesson plans come September. ”

“ Just want to complement you on an excellent course and thank you for being so attentive to the questions and comments of all the students. It's been a lot of work, but I've learned a lot and will be able to use this knowledge as I use Office 2007 now and in the future. ”

“ I have been using Office 2007 for a while. I have learned a lot that I never took the time to try and I am happy to have learned some time saving tips too! ”

“ I am really enjoying this class. I build more confidence as everything goes together smoothly. Fun! ”

“ This course is a wonderful way to learn and become familiar with the different elements in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. I was amazed to discover how easy it is to give documents a professional look. Barbara Clemens' detailed instuctions and step-by-step directions were fantastic and easy to follow. I absolutely loved this course and would highly recommend it to others. ”

“ I thought the course did a good job of walking you slowly through the four areas of Office and did so in a very clear and concise way. The instructor was extremely knowledgeable and laid out the material so that it could be easily understood. I was amazed at the detailed responses the instructor gave to questions in the discussion areas. She really listened and wanted to make sure we understood how to do the work! Thank you so much! ”

“ The instructor was AWESOME!! I had never taken an Excel, PowerPoint or Access course before, and the lessons were so clear and understandable, that I was able to learn a great deal about these and the advanced features of Word. I feel much more confident now. I'm so glad I was able to download the lesson materials, as they will be an invaluable reference for me. I also plan to review the lessons and assignments to increase my competency in these new skills. THANKS, Barbara!! ”