Office 365 for Dummies

"Office 365 For Dummies" is a comprehensive guide to the cloud-based productivity and collaboration suite from Microsoft. The book is written by Rosemarie Withee, Ken Withee, and Jennifer Reed and is designed to help users get up and running with Office 365 quickly and easily. 

The book begins with an overview of Office 365 and its features, including email, calendaring, document collaboration, and data analysis. It also covers the different subscription plans available for Office 365 and helps readers choose the plan that is right for their needs. 

The book then moves on to cover the different components of Office 365 in detail. It provides step-by-step instructions for using Outlook for email and calendaring, OneDrive for cloud storage and file sharing, SharePoint for document collaboration and team sites, and Skype for Business for online meetings and communication. 

The book also covers the Office 365 web apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. It provides tips and tricks for using these apps effectively, as well as information on how to access them from any device with an internet connection. 

One of the strengths of "Office 365 For Dummies" is its focus on collaboration and teamwork. The book provides guidance on how to use Office 365 to work effectively with others, including how to share files, co-author documents, and use team sites for project management and communication. 

The book also covers the security and compliance features of Office 365, including how to set up security policies and manage access to data. It provides information on how to configure Office 365 for compliance with industry and government regulations, such as HIPAA and GDPR. 

Another strength of the book is its clear and concise writing style. The authors use plain language and avoid technical jargon, making the book accessible to readers of all levels of technical expertise. They also provide helpful screenshots and illustrations throughout the book to help readers visualize the concepts they are learning. 

Overall, "Office 365 For Dummies" is an excellent resource for anyone who is new to Office 365 or who wants to get more out of the suite. The book provides a comprehensive overview of Office 365 and its features, as well as practical advice and tips for using the suite effectively. Whether you are an individual user or part of a team, this book is a valuable resource for maximizing your productivity and collaboration with Office 365. 

The key takeaways from this book 

1. Office 365 is a powerful cloud-based productivity suite: The book explains the features and benefits of Office 365, including its cloud-based storage and collaboration tools, its suite of applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and its integration with other Microsoft services. 

2. Collaboration and communication are key: Office 365's collaboration tools, such as SharePoint and Teams, are designed to facilitate teamwork and communication across an organisation. The book emphasizes the importance of using these tools effectively to enhance collaboration and communication. 

3. Security and compliance are top priorities: The book stresses the importance of security and compliance in Office 365, including measures like two-factor authentication, data encryption, and compliance with regulatory requirements like GDPR. The authors provide guidance on how to set up and manage these security and compliance features. 

4. Office 365 can be customised to meet specific needs: The book explains how Office 365 can be customised to meet the specific needs of different organisations, including customising SharePoint sites, creating custom workflows, and developing custom applications using PowerApps. 

5. Training and support are essential: The book emphasizes the importance of training and support to ensure that users are able to take full advantage of Office 365's features and capabilities. The authors provide guidance on how to provide effective training and support to users, including creating training materials and providing ongoing support.