Which Microsoft Word Training Format Is Right for Me?

Microsoft Word is an industry-learning word processing tool for professional document creation. Skills in Microsoft Word are required for many communications-related job positions and are expected in nearly any position that requires communication skills. Microsoft Word is an essential skill for professionals across industries, and training is the best way for individuals to learn. When comparing types of Microsoft Word training, there are many factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the right training is critical to your experience.

Keep reading to learn more about the different formats of Microsoft Word training, how they compare, and how to determine which is best for you.

What is Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word is a powerful word-processing software that offers tons of flexibility when it comes to creating professional reports, letters, contracts, and other documents. Its features are more robust than other word processors, allowing it to become an industry-standard used by companies and entrepreneurs worldwide. These advanced features include mail marges, spellchecker, text formatting, tables, and page layout, among many others. Microsoft Word can also produce documents in various file types, making it compatible with many other programs. Its popularity means it’s also compatible with nearly any computer. 

Since its release in 1983, Microsoft Word has continued to evolve to the needs of its users. Modern integrations have allowed the use of Microsoft Word over mobile, the web, and the Cloud for collaborative document creation. Cloud-based sharing and permissions make it easy for colleagues to collaborate and maintain security. Though Microsoft Word has faced many competitors over the decades, it continues to stand the test of time. 

Read more about what Microsoft Word is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word is primarily used as a word-processing program for creating professional-looking documents and reports. Authors use it to write novels, job seekers create resumes, and students write essays. In the workplace, Microsoft Word is used to create a host of documents, including letterheads, reports, templates, training manuals, calendars, invoices, and promotional materials, among others. Businesses also use the mail merge feature that outputs created documents to a mailing list or newsletter.

But Microsoft Word is more than a typing software. The program includes interactive elements such as fillable forms, checkboxes, and dropdown menus. It can easily convert documents into fillable PDFs or vice versa. Plain text documents are made more visually appealing with images, animations, or WordArt. Tables are also easily converted into visual graphs and charts. Microsoft Word can even transcribe audio files, transcribe live speech into text, and translate documents.

A particularly valuable feature of Microsoft Word is its collaboration tools for group projects. Professionals can easily share documents with others to work on. Changes such as comments and edits are tracked so the original owner of the document can decide what suggestions to make official. A history of changes to a document is also saved and can be reverted to at any time. Microsoft Word is a powerful tool for any business’ communications needs, whether internally or with customers or clients. 

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Training Formats for Microsoft Word

There are a number of training formats for Microsoft Word. Live classes, either online or in-person, feature a professional instructor and peers from which a student can learn and ask questions. On-demand training is ideal for students with busy schedules who can't commit to a full or part-time class schedule or who otherwise prefer to learn at their own pace. This training often includes free online videos, guides, and tutorials.

In-Person Microsoft Word Training

There are a number of perks to in-person training. Being in a physical classroom can eliminate the distractions an individual may find when learning online from home. A physical classroom also offers more direct engagement with the instructor. Thus students may feel more inclined to ask for help, or it may be easier for a teacher to identify when a student is struggling. In-person learning also allows students to engage with and learn from each other in a set environment.

There are a number of in-person Microsoft Word training options. These classes are short, often lasting only a day, and teach both beginner and advanced techniques. Noble Desktop’s Microsoft Word Level I course covers all the essentials of the program the average user needs to know. The Microsoft Level II course dives into expert techniques and little-known tips and shortcuts. These courses can be taken in-person or live online.

Live Online Microsoft Word Training

The perks of live online training include its availability. Students can learn from anywhere, provided they have a reliable internet connection. This removes the time of commute from a student’s schedule and allows them to learn in an environment they personally find suitable. Online courses also often offer more flexible schedules than in-person classrooms for parents and workers with busy schedules. In terms of engagement, live online classes try to replicate physical classrooms with hands-on projects and live instructors interacting with students in real-time. Students can also interact with their peers virtually.

There are a number of live online Microsoft Word training options. Available classes teach both beginner and advanced techniques. Noble Desktop’s Microsoft Word courses can be taken in-person in NYC or live online from anywhere. The Microsoft Level II course covers all the essentials of the program that an average user needs to know, while the Level II course dives into expert techniques and tricks.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

If you aren’t ready to dive into a full Microsoft Word course, you can look for an online introduction to Microsoft Word through Youtube, Coursera, or Udemy. In these free courses, you can learn a variety of basic skills, including Microsoft Word fundamentals and how to create simple documents such as fliers, brochures, and resumes. Some courses even teach advanced and expert Microsoft Word tips and tricks. 

However, many of these courses teach older versions of the Microsoft Word software. While most of Microsoft Word’s features are consistent through subsequent iterations, newer versions of the program may possess previously unseen features or place features in different locations. It can also be impossible to verify if the information taught in these courses is quality or correct. While these free online classes can be valuable and cost-effective for pure beginners, they aren’t ideal for professionals looking to learn comprehensive Microsoft Word skills to advance their careers. 

Read about more free Microsoft Word videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Classes

There are a number of ways to learn Microsoft Word. One of these is on-demand, asynchronous, or self-paced learning. This type of learning is best for students who prefer to learn at their own pace or have work or family obligations that prevent them from attending regularly scheduled classes. Students have more freedom to learn as they wish, but they lack an instructor or guidance, and self-motivation is required to progress through the material. 

Comparison of Microsoft Word Training Formats

There are three training formats for learning Microsoft Word: live online, in-person, and on-demand training. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and individuals will find different methods work best for them.

When it comes to accessibility, live online and on-demand classes work best. Since they are online, students can attend classes from anywhere and don’t face the commute required by in-person classes. They are also able to choose their favorite environment for learning. Online classes also often offer more options in the curriculum than students can find in the limited in-person courses nearest them. On-demand classes win out slightly in accessibility because they aren’t tied to set class schedules. Students with busy lives can choose on-demand training to learn at their own pace.

The downside of on-demand classes lies in engagement. On-demand training often lacks instructors or classmates. Students are left with their motivation to advance through coursework and have no one to turn to with questions. When on-demand training does offer an instructor’s contact information for assistance, students may wait days or longer for a reply. Live online and in-person training rank far higher in engagement. Students can ask instructors for immediate feedback, interact with peers, and often receive guidance in building career portfolios. In-person training wins out slightly over live online in that some people feel more comfortable initiating engagement with their peers or instructors in a physical setting.

Regarding affordability, on-demand training wins out again because these classes are often free since they are self-led. However, it’s important to weigh other pros and cons. The popular adage “you get what you pay for” often holds true when comparing on-demand courses vs. in-person or live online. While live online training isn’t free, many institutions offer free seminars or introductory courses. And, a full live online course is often cheaper than in-person training.

If you’re looking to advance your career, live online and in-person training offer the comprehensive learning you are looking for. While on-demand training will likely be enough to learn the basics of a skill, self-led learning can’t replace the knowledge a professional instructor possesses and passes on to their students. On-demand resources are also often dated and don’t hold up to industry standards.

Overall, live online training is the best well-rounded option as it offers most of the benefits of both in-person and on-demand classes. Students have no commute and usually have the option of more flexible schedules than with in-person training. Live online training replicates the interactivity of in-person classrooms with live instructors and classmate interaction. Some live online training can be found for free and offers the same self-led benefits as on-demand training. Paid live online training is an excellent and affordable option for professionals looking to advance their career skills.

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself Microsoft Word?

Free online courses and tutorials are available for Microsoft Word. Popular websites to find these courses include Youtube, Coursera, and Udemy. These courses tend to be under two hours in length and feature both overviews of Word for beginners and guides on how to complete specific tasks. These courses can be great for learners on a tight budget or even for professionals who need a refresher on specific tasks. 

The downside of these courses is not having an instructor to offer guidance, so you may find yourself stuck and unsure of how to progress, wasting hours in troubleshooting. Free tutorials are also usually outdated and thus don’t feature the latest version of Microsoft Word. For professionals wanting to comprehensively learn Microsoft Word to advance their careers, these tutorials will likely lack the advanced features they need to learn. 

Finally, free videos and tutorials are numerous. It can be overwhelming to sift through them all. And even then, not all tutorials are created equal. It can be time-consuming to search for a tutorial that is up-to-date, comprehensive, and professionally made. For a beginner, it can be impossible to know if the instruction you are receiving is quality or correct.

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn Microsoft Word

The best way to learn Microsoft Word will differ depending on the individual and what they want to use the program for. Beginners to Microsoft Word may be seeking an overview of the program’s features and not want to spend money on professional instruction. In this case, free classes or online tutorials may be ideal. However, with free tutorials, students will often learn independently without a professional instructor to offer assistance. Free materials may also be outdated.

Individuals wanting to master the features of Microsoft Word to advance their career would benefit most from a Microsoft Word bootcamp that features comprehensive learning with professional instruction. These courses deep dive into the program and teach little-known expert techniques and tips. An instructor can only provide learning assistance but mentorship and guidance in the job hunt.

In-person and live online courses are available for learning Microsoft Word. Keep in mind that in-person classes are limited to an individual’s immediate area and may not offer the desired specifications. While online classes may not be everyone’s cup of tea, live online classes do their best to replicate the level of engagement found in in-person classrooms. They feature live instructors that react to their students’ needs in real-time. Students can interact virtually with their peers. 

Deciding on the best way to learn Microsoft Word depends on an individual’s goals for learning the program: whether they want to learn a new skill or advance a career, their budget, and their preference for professional guidance or in-person interactivity. 

Learn Microsoft Word with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

In today’s busy world, live online learning can be a fast, engaging, and comprehensive alternative to in-person classes. Noble Desktop offers live online classes in Microsoft Word that are hands-on and open to beginners. Classes are small, taught by expert instructors, and include free retake options.

Microsoft Word Level I is a one-day course that teaches all the Microsoft Word essentials. You’ll learn how to avoid common page formatting errors and prepare and send mass emails, letters, and labels with one click. You’ll also learn all the necessary shortcuts to shave hours off your time. Students who want to increase their Microsoft Word skills can attend the Microsoft Word Level II course.

Microsoft Word Level II is an advanced class that teaches next-level Microsoft Word skills. You’ll learn how to use automation to speed up your workflow, create custom document templates, use advanced formatting techniques, and build long documents. This is the ideal course for individuals wanting to become Microsoft Word experts. 

Noble Desktop also provides additional Microsoft Office classes, including Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook.