Making the Most of Microsoft Apps

Creating Documents

For any extended piece of writing you produce at University like essays or reports, you’ll be expected to write it on a device using apps like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. 

Microsoft Word is the world’s most popular word processor, and is the app lots of students use to write their assignments. You can use Microsoft Word via Microsoft 365 in your browser to create and edit live documents on the go as long as you have an internet connection.

Can be useful for: Creating simple documents like essays, reports, articles and CVs.

Find out more.

Creating Spreadsheets

For some subjects, you might be expected to interpret or create a spreadsheet during your degree. For support with more complex data management, take a look at our Numeracy, Maths and Statistics resources.

Microsoft Excel is the most well-known spreadsheet app, and can seem complex at first. There are lots of different ways you can use Excel, from simply organising information to analysing data and creating graphs and tables. If you’re not sure of where to start, Microsoft provide a tour of Excel on their training page which helps you get started with the basic functions.

Can be useful for: Analysing data, organising information, creating graphs and tables.

Find out more.

Sending Emails

Make sure to check your University email regularly for any important communications about your course or from other departments like the Library or Student Wellbeing. We recommend using a separate email address for personal matters as your University email address is only temporarily available while you’re studying with us.

Your University email account is the best way for you to contact members of University staff, whether it’s your school office, a seminar leader or your personal tutor. You can usually find staff’s email addresses on your school’s webpage, or by searching their name in the search bar at the top of the Outlook app. Outlook has lots of the same Microsoft features as other apps, like Read Aloud and Editor, and it can generate a to-do list based on emails that you’ve flagged via To Do.  You can organise your inbox by creating different folders or using different coloured categories to label your emails. 

Can be useful for: Contacting University staff or services.

Find out more.

Creating Forms

During your degree, you might want to create a form or survey as part of a piece of research or an assignment.

You can use Microsoft Forms to create digital forms, polls, quizzes and surveys. It contains lots of suggestions and design styles if you’re unsure of where to start. If you’re working as a group you can share your results and collaborate easily. You can export your final results as a spreadsheet or as graphs that are generated automatically within the app.

Can be useful for:  Creating surveys and polls for research and creating quizzes.

Find out more.

If you’re working on a group assignment or are part of a study group, instant messaging can be a useful way to stay in touch.

You have access to Microsoft Teams through your University Microsoft account, where you can chat, share files and collaborate. You can link it up with other apps and create Teams for different group projects you’re working on.

Can be useful for: Working with a group, staying in touch, and studying together.

Find out more.