While most people are familiar with the core Microsoft Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, there are several other tools in the Microsoft Office suite that are often overlooked but can significantly boost productivity. Here’s a look at some underrated but highly useful Microsoft Office apps:
1. Microsoft OneNote
- What it is: OneNote is a digital notebook that allows users to take notes, organize ideas, and collaborate on projects. It’s essentially a free-form place to gather text, images, web clippings, and even audio or video notes.
- Why it’s useful:
- Great for organizing personal and team notes.
- Syncs across all devices, making it easy to access notes anywhere.
- Integrates with other Office apps for efficient workflow.
2. Microsoft Planner
- What it is: Planner is a project management tool within Microsoft 365 that helps teams plan, track, and organize tasks and projects. It allows you to create boards with tasks, deadlines, and checklists.
- Why it’s useful:
- Simplifies task management and team collaboration.
- Helps visualize tasks using a Kanban-style board, making it easier to track progress.
- Integrates seamlessly with other Office apps like Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint.
3. Microsoft Sway
- What it is: Sway is a presentation and storytelling app that allows you to create interactive reports, presentations, and newsletters without needing advanced design skills.
- Why it’s useful:
- Provides templates that make it easy to create beautiful presentations, reports, and newsletters.
- Supports multimedia integration, including text, images, videos, and interactive content.
- Ideal for quick, engaging presentations that go beyond PowerPoint’s typical slide-based format.
4. Microsoft Access
- What it is: Access is a database management tool that allows you to create, manage, and analyze databases.
- Why it’s useful:
- Helps in storing and analyzing large amounts of data in a structured way.
- Enables users to create custom queries, reports, and forms without needing to write complex SQL code.
- Useful for individuals or small businesses that need to organize information, like inventory, customer data, or sales records.
5. Microsoft Visio
- What it is: Visio is a diagramming and vector graphics application that allows you to create flowcharts, organizational charts, network diagrams, and more.
- Why it’s useful:
- Ideal for creating professional-level diagrams, flowcharts, and technical drawings.
- Works well for visualizing processes, structures, and systems in a clear and structured manner.
- Integrates with Excel and other Office apps, making it useful for presenting data in a visual format.
6. Microsoft To Do
- What it is: To Do is a task management app that helps you create and manage daily tasks, set reminders, and organize your day efficiently.
- Why it’s useful:
- Allows you to create to-do lists, set deadlines, and manage tasks across different devices.
- Integrates with Outlook tasks, ensuring a seamless experience for managing work-related tasks.
- Helps increase productivity by keeping you organized and focused on daily priorities.
7. Microsoft Stream
- What it is: Stream is an enterprise video service where people can upload, view, and share videos securely across their organization.
- Why it’s useful:
- Great for internal training, company meetings, and sharing knowledge via video content.
- Supports video streaming in high-quality formats with security features for restricted access.
- Integrates with Teams and SharePoint, making it easy to share videos in collaboration spaces.
8. Microsoft Power Automate
- What it is: Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow) is a workflow automation tool that allows you to automate repetitive tasks between apps and services, saving time and effort.
- Why it’s useful:
- Automates routine tasks like sending notifications, creating reports, or managing files.
- Works with hundreds of Microsoft and third-party apps (like Outlook, SharePoint, and Google Drive).
- Can save you significant time by automating processes, improving efficiency.
9. Microsoft Forms
- What it is: Forms is a tool for creating surveys, quizzes, and polls, making it easy to gather feedback and data from others.
- Why it’s useful:
- Simple to use for creating surveys and quizzes, with customizable templates.
- Collects responses in real-time and integrates seamlessly with Excel for analysis.
- Great for collecting feedback, conducting polls, or even as a tool for internal assessments.
10. Microsoft Whiteboard
- What it is: Whiteboard is a virtual collaboration tool that allows users to brainstorm, plan, and sketch ideas on a shared canvas in real-time.
- Why it’s useful:
- Perfect for remote teams to collaborate visually during meetings or brainstorming sessions.
- Supports text, drawings, sticky notes, and images, enhancing creative workflows.
- Integrates with Teams, making it easy to use during meetings and presentations.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft Office is much more than just Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The suite includes several lesser-known apps that can streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and boost productivity. Tools like OneNote, Planner, Sway, and Power Automate offer powerful capabilities that can make your work easier and more efficient, no matter your role or industry. By exploring and utilizing these underrated apps, you can unlock new levels of productivity and enhance your overall Microsoft Office experience.
