Basic Microsoft PowerPoint Basic Microsoft PowerPoint Learn the fundamentals of Microsoft PowerPoint to create engaging and effective presentations. Introduction to PowerPoint Getting Started Creating & Managing Slides Working with Text Inserting Media and Objects Designing Your Slides Transitions Between Slides Animations Within Slides Slide Show / Presentation Mode Using Notes, Comments, and Reviewing Saving and Exporting Other Useful Features Best Practices for a Good Presentation Advantages of Using PowerPoint for Laboratory Technicians Introduction to PowerPoint Microsoft PowerPoint is a powerful presentation software used to create slides for visual communication. Definition Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation software used to create slides for visual communication. Importance Helps communicate ideas clearly. Enhances engagement using visuals and animations. Applications Education (teaching/learning) Business meetings Reports and project proposals Marketing/sales presentations Church and event presentations Getting Started Learn how to open PowerPoint and understand its interface elements. Opening PowerPoint Start menu > Microsoft PowerPoint Choose Blank Presentation or a Template PowerPoint Interface Elements Title Bar Quick Access Toolbar Ribbon Tabs Slides Pane Slide Workspace Notes Pane Status Bar (Slide number, Zoom control) Creating & Managing Slides Learn how to create and manage slides in PowerPoint. New Slide Home > New Slide > Choose Layout Layouts: Title Slide, Title and Content, Two Content, Comparison, Section Header, Blank, etc. Duplicate Slide Right-click > Duplicate Slide Move Slides Drag-and-drop in slide pane Delete Slide Right-click > Delete Slide Sections Organize slides into named sections for better control Working with Text Learn how to add and format text in PowerPoint. Add Text Add text using placeholders or Insert > Text Box Formatting Tools Font style, size, bold, italic, underline Text color, highlight Text alignment and line spacing Bullets and numbering Text Effects: Shadow, Glow, Reflection Inserting Media and Objects Learn how to insert various media and objects into your slides. Insert Tab Features Pictures (This Device, Online) Shapes (Arrows, boxes, callouts, flowchart symbols) Icons & 3D Models SmartArt: Visual diagrams like process, hierarchy, cycles Charts: Bar, pie, line, area charts (connected to Excel) Tables Text Box, Header & Footer Audio & Video (from file or record directly) Screenshots or Screen Recording Designing Your Slides Learn how to design your slides using themes, variants, and backgrounds. Design Tab Themes: Pre-designed styles Variants: Different color/fonts for a theme Customize Background: Solid fill, gradient, picture Slide Size Standard (4:3) Widescreen (16:9) Transitions Between Slides Apply motion effects as you move from one slide to the next. Transition Effects Fade Push Wipe Split Morph Control duration and sound Apply to all slides or selected ones Animations Within Slides Add entrance, emphasis, or exit effects to text/images. Animation Effects Appear Fly In Zoom Spin Bounce Use Animation Pane for timing and sequence Combine multiple animations with Add Animation Slide Show / Presentation Mode Learn how to start and navigate your slide show. Start Slide Show From Beginning (F5) From Current Slide (Shift+F5) Presenter View Notes Slide previews Timer Slide Navigation Arrows, space bar, or mouse click Pointer Tools Pen Highlighter Laser Pointer Using Notes, Comments, and Reviewing Learn how to add notes, comments, and use reviewing tools. Notes Pane Add personal notes to each slide Comments Useful for group collaboration Spell Check & Proofing Review tab tools Saving and Exporting Learn how to save and export your PowerPoint presentations. Save File > Save or Ctrl + S Save As PowerPoint (.pptx) PDF Video (MP4) Image files (PNG/JPG) PowerPoint Show (.ppsx) Print Slides Handouts Notes pages Other Useful Features Explore other useful features in PowerPoint. Master Slides Control layout and design for all slides Slide Number and Footer Add slide numbers and footers to your slides Zoom Feature Create interactive navigation slides Linking and Action Buttons Link to slides, websites, or files Recording Presentation Record audio or screen narration Best Practices for a Good Presentation Follow these best practices to create effective presentations. Use Large and Clear Fonts Minimum size 24pt Keep Slides Simple Avoid too much text Use High-Quality Images and Icons Enhance visual appeal Use Consistent Color Schemes and Fonts Maintain a professional look Apply Animations and Transitions Sparingly Avoid overwhelming the audience Keep One Main Idea Per Slide Focus on clarity Always Rehearse Your Presentation Ensure smooth delivery Advantages of Using PowerPoint for Laboratory Technicians Discover the benefits of using PowerPoint in a laboratory setting. Effective Presentation of Lab Results Present test results clearly using charts, tables, and graphs. Standardized Training Materials Create standard operating procedure (SOP) presentations for new technicians, students, or interns. Visual Representation of Scientific Processes Break down complex lab procedures into step-by-step visual slides. Data Comparison and Interpretation Use slide layouts to compare test data, before-and-after experiment results, or patient case studies. Documentation and Reporting Tool Create reports for lab activities, research findings, or quality assurance reports. Support for Workshops and CPD Sessions Provide structure to learning materials and keep sessions interactive. Demonstrating Equipment Usage Include labeled diagrams or videos showing how to use laboratory equipment correctly. Time-Saving and Reusable Content Reuse and modify presentations for future purposes, saving time and effort.

Microsoft Excel Fundamentals Microsoft Excel Fundamentals Understanding the basics of spreadsheets and Excel interface Excel Learning Center What is Excel? Spreadsheet Basics Excel Interface Rows & Columns Workbooks Entering Data Formatting Cell References Formulas What is Microsoft Excel? Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet application used by millions of people worldwide for data management and analysis. Definition: Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft that enables users to organize, format, and calculate data with formulas using a spreadsheet system organized by rows and columns. Microsoft Excel is primarily used for: Data Entry Entering numerical or textual information in an organized manner Calculations Performing mathematical operations from basic arithmetic to complex statistical analyses Data Visualization Creating tables, charts, and graphs to represent data visually Data Analysis Organizing, sorting, filtering, and analyzing information for insights Excel is part of the Microsoft Office suite, which includes other productivity applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Did You Know? Microsoft Excel was first released for Macintosh computers in 1985 and for Windows in 1987. The latest version of Excel can handle over 1 million rows and 16,000 columns in a single worksheet. Excel files typically use the .xlsx file extension, which is based on the Open XML format. Many businesses rely on Excel for critical operations including financial modeling, inventory management, and data analysis. What is a Spreadsheet? Definition: A spreadsheet is a digital document organized into rows and columns forming a grid of cells, where each cell can contain text, numbers, formulas, or other data. Think of a spreadsheet as a computerized version of an accountant’s ledger or a large grid paper where information is organized into rows and columns. Spreadsheet Structure Cell: The intersection of a row and column where you can enter data Column: Vertical series of cells labeled with letters (A, B, C, etc.) Row: Horizontal series of cells labeled with numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) Cell Reference: The address of a cell (like A1, B5, etc.) based on its column and row Range: A group of cells (like A1:C5, which includes all cells from A1 to C5) Common Spreadsheet Uses: Budgeting Creating personal or business budgets to track income and expenses Grade Tracking Recording and calculating student exam results and performance Inventory Maintaining lists of products with prices, quantities, and details HR Records Managing employee information, salaries, and attendance records Spreadsheet Magic What makes spreadsheets so powerful is their ability to: Calculate automatically – Update results instantly when input values change Format conditionally – Change appearance based on cell values Filter and sort – Organize data based on specific criteria Create visualizations – Convert numerical data into meaningful charts Simple Formulas Basic formulas you can try: =SUM(A1:A10) – Adds all values from A1 to A10 =AVERAGE(B1:B5) – Calculates average of values in B1 to B5 =MAX(C1:C20) – Finds highest value in range C1 to C20 =B1*C1 – Multiplies values in cells B1 and C1 Parts of the Excel Window Understanding the Excel interface is essential for efficient spreadsheet use. Here are the key components: Title Bar Function: Displays the name of the current Excel file Location: At the very top of the Excel window Features: Also contains minimize, maximize, and close buttons Ribbon Function: Contains tabs and tools for different Excel operations Location: Below the title bar Features: Organized into tabs like Home, Insert, Page Layout, Formulas, etc. Quick Access Toolbar Function: Provides one-click access to commonly used features Location: Usually above the ribbon (can be customized) Features: By default includes Save, Undo, and Redo buttons Formula Bar Function: Shows and allows editing of cell content and formulas Location: Above the worksheet grid, below the ribbon Features: Particularly useful for entering and editing long formulas Name Box Function: Shows the cell reference of the currently selected cell Location: To the left of the formula bar Features: Can also be used to navigate to a specific cell by typing its reference Worksheet Tabs Function: Allow navigation between different sheets in a workbook Location: At the bottom of the Excel window Features: Can be renamed, reordered, added, or deleted as needed Scroll Bars Function: Allow navigation through large spreadsheets Location: Right and bottom edges of the worksheet area Features: Vertical bar moves up/down, horizontal bar moves left/right Status Bar Function: Displays information about the current selection Location: At the bottom of the Excel window Features: Shows statistics like sum, average, count, etc. of selected cells Pro Tip: You can customize most parts of the Excel interface. Right-click on the ribbon to customize it, add buttons to the Quick Access Toolbar, or right-click on the Status Bar to select which statistics to display. Rows, Columns, and Cells Understanding the basic structure of Excel is essential for working effectively with your data. Basic Structure Rows Horizontal lines of cells that run across the worksheet. Labeled with numbers (1, 2, 3…) Excel has over 1 million rows Often used to represent individual records Columns Vertical lines of cells that run down the worksheet. Labeled with letters (A, B, C…) After Z comes AA, AB, AC… Often used for different data fields Cells Individual boxes where row and column intersect. Named by column then row (e.g., A1, B3) Can contain text, numbers, formulas The basic unit of data in Excel Understanding Cell References A cell’s name combines its column letter and row number: A1 – First column (A), first row (1) B5 – Second column (B), fifth row (5) Z100 – 26th column (Z), row 100 AA10 – 27th column (AA), row 10 Spreadsheet Magic What makes spreadsheets so powerful is their ability to: Calculate automatically – Update results instantly when input values change Format conditionally – Change appearance based on cell values Filter and sort – Organize data based on specific criteria Create visualizations – Convert numerical data into meaningful charts Workbooks in Excel A workbook is a collection of one or more worksheets in Excel. Understanding how to manage workbooks is crucial for organizing your data effectively. What is a Workbook?

Creating Documents with Microsoft Word Microsoft Word Learning Resources Essential skills for academic and professional success in health sciences Introduction This lesson introduces learners to the use of word processors, particularly Microsoft Word. It explains the importance, functions, and practical applications of word processing in academic and professional fields like health sciences. Learning Objectives By the end of this lesson, students should be able to: Define a word processor and identify its types. Explain the difference between a word processor and word processing. Describe the key features and interface of Microsoft Word. Use Microsoft Word to create and format documents. Apply knowledge of Microsoft Word in medical-related fields. Understand how to save, edit, and manage documents professionally. Word Processor Basics What is a Word Processor? A word processor is a computer program that is used to create, edit, and print documents. It is a computer program or device that provides input, editing, formatting, and output of text, often with some additional features. A word processor allows you to create a document, store it electronically (such as on a disk), view it on a computer screen, modify it, and print it. Mechanical Word Processors These are word processors which use mechanical machine parts to type or write documents. This includes typewriters. Software Word Processors These are word processors which use software to write or type text or documents using a computer. They include Microsoft Word and other software options. Popular Word Processor Examples: Microsoft Word The most widely used word processor, part of Microsoft Office Suite. OpenOffice Writer Free and open-source word processor alternative. Corel WordPerfect Long-standing professional word processor with legal features. Benefits of Using a Word Processor Over Typewriters Word processors can save data while typewriters cannot. You can edit while you work on a word processor, but with a typewriter, you have to start over. Easy to correct mistakes while a typewriter cannot. Typewriters also didn’t have features like spell check while word processors have. The Difference Between Word Processor and Word Processing Word processor is the type of software. Word processing is what you do with a word processor. So, Microsoft Word is a word processor, typing a letter in Microsoft Word is word processing. Microsoft Word Introduction About Microsoft Word Microsoft Word is one of the packages of word processors and it is a component of the Microsoft Office Suite. It is used primarily to enter, edit, format, save, retrieve, and print documents. With Microsoft Word, you can: Type your text Correct spelling mistakes and grammatical errors Align text within margins Offer a variety of font styles and font sizes See a preview of the text that you have typed in Add images, tables, and diagrams Microsoft Word Versions Version Release Year Notable Features MS Word 97 1997 Office Assistant, improved formatting MS Word 2000 1999 Enhanced collaboration tools MS Word 2002 (XP) 2001 Task panes, improved reliability MS Word 2003 2003 XML integration, reading layout MS Word 2007 2007 Ribbon interface, docx format MS Word 2010 2010 Improved ribbon, co-authoring MS Word 2013 2013 Touch mode, read mode MS Word 2016/2019 2016/2019 Tell Me feature, improved sharing MS Word 2021/365 2021/Current Cloud integration, real-time collaboration When to Use Microsoft Word Communication • Emails • Letters • Memos Documentation • Reports • Simple brochures • Electronic documents Data Organization • Simple tables • Charts • Forms Starting Microsoft Word How to Launch Microsoft Word Traditional Method Click Start Button Go to All Programs Go to Microsoft Office Click Microsoft Office Word Modern Methods Type “Word” in Windows search bar Click Word icon on taskbar (if pinned) Open Start menu and select from app list Double-click a Word document to open it in Word Pro Tip: You can pin Microsoft Word to your taskbar for quick access. Right-click the Word icon and select “Pin to taskbar”. Understanding the Microsoft Word Interface Title Bar A title bar indicates the task which is currently running on its right. Minimize, Maximize/Restore Controls for the program window that allow you to minimize, maximize/restore, or close the application. Quick Access Toolbar It consists of buttons or icons that provide shortcuts to commands available in the menu bar. Ribbon Microsoft Office 2007 & newer versions use what is referred to as the “Ribbon” interface, which organizes commands into tabs and groups. Tabs The Words File, Home, Insert, etc. are referred to as tabs. Each tab contains related commands grouped together. File Home Insert Design Layout References Review View Word Processing Terms Format / Formatting Changing the way things look in your document, for example, changing the style of some text. Margins The blank area around the edge of a printed page. You can adjust how much of the page is taken up by margins. Font Different text styles are referred to as fonts. Examples include Arial, Times New Roman, and Calibri. Alignment How things are lined up on the page. For example, center-aligned text will be lined up with the center of the page. Tabs Even spaces that can be used to line things up on a page. Header & Footer Information that can be repeated at the top (header) or bottom (footer) of each page, such as the title or page number. Document Navigation Navigating Within a Document Using the Mouse Use your mouse to click anywhere that you have typed text to position the cursor at that location. Using the Keyboard You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the cursor vertically or horizontally. Key Function HOME Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line END Takes the cursor to the end of the line Page Up Moves up one screen Page Down Moves down one screen Ctrl + Home Moves to the beginning of the document Ctrl + End Moves to the end of the document Page Layout & Setup Page Orientation (Portrait/Landscape) You can change the page orientation to either portrait or landscape. Portrait is the default orientation where the page is taller than