Microsoft Courses are training programs offered by Microsoft to individuals and organizations interested in learning about Microsoft products and technologies. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from fundamental computer skills to advanced technology, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Windows Operating System, Microsoft Servers, Microsoft Azure, and Microsoft Dynamics.
What is Microsoft?
Microsoft is an American multinational technology company that develops, licenses, and sells computer software, consumer electronics, and personal computers. It was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen and is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
Microsoft is best known for its Windows operating system, Microsoft Office Suite, Internet Explorer web browser, and the Xbox gaming console. Over the years, Microsoft has developed a wide range of products and services that are used by millions of people around the world for personal and business purposes.
Benefits of Free Online Microsoft Courses
The benefits of free online Microsoft courses include:
- Flexibility: Online courses can be taken at any time and place, making it convenient for individuals who have busy schedules or live far from a physical training center.
- Cost-effective: Free online courses eliminate the cost of transportation, housing, and other associated expenses, making it a cost-effective way to learn.
- Self-paced learning: Online courses can be taken at your own pace, allowing you to complete the coursework in a way that works best for you.
- Hands-on experience: Online courses often provide hands-on exercises and interactive simulations, which allow you to apply your knowledge and practice your skills in a real-world setting.
- Wider range of courses: Online learning platforms often offer a wider range of courses than physical training centers, providing more opportunities to find a course that fits your specific needs.
- Career development: Microsoft courses can help you to enhance your skills and knowledge, which can lead to better job opportunities or advancement in your current role.
- Certification: Many Microsoft courses offer certifications, which are recognized by employers and demonstrate your expertise in a specific technology or application.
Requirements to Join Online Microsoft Courses
The requirements to join online Microsoft courses may vary depending on the course and platform offering it. However, some common requirements include:
- Internet access and a reliable device: An internet-connected computer or mobile device is necessary to access the course content and participate in online discussions and assessments.
- Microsoft account: Some courses may require a Microsoft account to access certain tools and resources.
- Familiarity with basic computer skills: A basic understanding of computer usage and navigation, such as using a mouse and keyboard, is recommended.
- Previous experience with Microsoft software: Some courses may require prior experience with specific Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Office or Windows.
- Software and hardware requirements: Depending on the course, you may need to install certain software and hardware to complete the course, such as a Microsoft Office suite or a Windows operating system.
It is recommended to carefully review the course description and prerequisites before enrolling to ensure that you meet the requirements and have the necessary resources to complete the course.
10 Best Free Online Microsoft Courses With Certificates
1. Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2016
Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2016 is a beginner-level course that covers the basic features and functions of Microsoft Excel. This course is designed to help students understand the spreadsheet software and how to use it to organize and analyze data. The topics covered in this course include creating and editing spreadsheets, working with cells and ranges, formatting and manipulating data, using formulas and functions, and creating charts and graphs. This course is ideal for those who are new to Microsoft Excel or have limited experience with the software.
In this course, students will learn how to use Microsoft Excel to create and manage spreadsheets, as well as how to use various tools and features to analyze data. They will also learn how to use formulas and functions to perform calculations, create charts and graphs to represent data visually, and apply conditional formatting to highlight important information.
2. Advanced Microsoft Excel 2020
Advanced Microsoft Excel 2020 is an online course that focuses on advanced features and functions of Microsoft Excel. This course is intended for individuals who are already proficient in using Microsoft Excel, but would like to expand their skills and knowledge.
Topics covered in this course include advanced formulas and functions, pivot tables and charts, working with large data sets, using macros and VBA, and more. The course is designed to help users become more efficient in using Excel and make complex data analysis easier and more manageable. Completion of this course can lead to a better understanding of Excel and can help individuals in their personal or professional work.
3. Introduction to Microsoft Word 2016
Microsoft Word 2016 is a word processing software application developed by Microsoft as part of the Office suite. It is used for creating, editing, formatting and printing text documents. It includes features such as spell checking, document formatting, tables, and images among others. This course is an introduction to Microsoft Word 2016 and is aimed at individuals who are new to the software and want to learn the basics.
The course covers topics such as navigating the interface, creating and editing documents, formatting text, paragraphs and pages, working with tables and images, proofing and printing documents and more. The goal of this course is to equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively use Microsoft Word 2016 for their personal or professional needs.
4. Advanced Microsoft Word 2020
The “Advanced Microsoft Word 2020” course is designed for individuals who have a basic understanding of Microsoft Word and want to improve their skills in using the software. The course covers advanced features and functions of the software, including customizing the ribbon, creating and customizing styles, working with templates, creating and formatting tables and charts, working with graphics and illustrations, creating footnotes and endnotes, and customizing page layout.
The course also covers how to collaborate on documents, track changes, and compare and merge documents. By the end of the course, students should have a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Word and how to use it effectively.
5. Introduction to Power BI
Power BI is a business intelligence tool developed by Microsoft that provides interactive visualizations and business intelligence capabilities with an interface easy to use for end-users to create their own reports and dashboards. It helps organizations to transform data into insights and share them with others. The Introduction to Power BI course will cover the basics of using Power BI, including data connections, creating reports, and customizing dashboards.
Topics covered may include data exploration and visualization, report creation and formatting, and the use of DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) formulas. The course is designed for individuals with little or no prior experience with Power BI and is intended to provide a foundation for further exploration of the tool’s capabilities.
6. An Overview of SharePoint 2013
Microsoft SharePoint 2013 is a web-based collaboration and document management platform that provides organizations with a secure place to store, organize, share, and access information from almost any device. It allows teams to work together on projects and documents, manage content, and automate business processes.
An Overview of SharePoint 2013 course provides a comprehensive introduction to the platform, covering its key features, functionalities, and benefits. It is designed for beginners who want to learn how to use SharePoint 2013 in their organization or for personal use. Topics covered in the course include SharePoint basics, working with lists and libraries, creating sites and pages, customizing the interface, and working with workflows.
7. Building Responsive Websites with Bootstrap 3
Bootstrap is a free front-end framework for faster and easier web development. It is a popular open-source toolkit that provides a responsive grid system, pre-designed UI components, and CSS and JavaScript plugins. This course on Building Responsive Websites with Bootstrap 3 focuses on teaching how to create responsive websites using Bootstrap 3 framework.
The course covers topics such as setting up a Bootstrap development environment, working with Bootstrap components, customizing the appearance of your website, and creating responsive pages. By the end of the course, students should have a basic understanding of how to use Bootstrap to create responsive websites.
8. Developing Windows Azure and Web Services
Microsoft Azure and Web Services is a cloud computing platform and infrastructure created by Microsoft for building, deploying, and managing applications and services through a global network of Microsoft-managed data centers. The course covers the basics of developing applications and services on the Azure platform, including working with virtual machines, web sites, storage, and other Azure services.
You will learn how to use Azure services to host web applications, create and manage virtual machines, work with data and storage, and build and deploy Windows Azure web services. The course is designed for developers who want to build, deploy, and manage cloud-based applications and services.
9. Programming in C# Using Visual Studio 2015
“Programming in C# Using Visual Studio 2015” is a Microsoft course that teaches individuals how to develop applications using the C# programming language and the Visual Studio 2015 development environment. This course covers the basics of C# syntax, object-oriented programming, and the .NET framework.
It also covers more advanced topics such as asynchronous programming, LINQ, and the creation of Windows Forms applications. The course is aimed at individuals who have a basic understanding of programming concepts, but are new to C# and the .NET framework. Through hands-on exercises and real-world examples, participants will learn how to create robust, scalable, and maintainable applications using C# and Visual Studio 2015.
10. Udacity’s Introduction to Python for Data Science
Udacity’s Introduction to Python for Data Science is not a Microsoft course but rather a general Python programming course offered by Udacity. The course is aimed at beginners and is designed to help students learn how to use Python for data science and machine learning.
The course covers topics such as data structures, variables, functions, and more. The course is designed to be taken online at your own pace and is available for free with a Udacity account.
Conclusion
Online Microsoft courses offer individuals a convenient and flexible way to learn new Microsoft skills and advance their careers. There are a variety of free online Microsoft courses available that cover a range of topics, from the basics of Microsoft Office applications like Excel and Word, to more advanced topics such as Power BI, SharePoint, and programming in C#.
These courses provide students with hands-on training and real-world applications, helping them to become proficient in a variety of Microsoft technologies. Some of the best free online Microsoft courses include Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2016, Advanced Microsoft Excel 2020, Introduction to Microsoft Word 2016, Advanced Microsoft Word 2020, Introduction to Power BI, An Overview of SharePoint 2013, and Programming in C# Using Visual Studio 2015. Additionally, some of these courses offer certificates upon completion, providing students with a tangible way to showcase their newfound skills and knowledge.
