Hidden Microsoft Tips and Tricks You Need to Know

Microsoft apps are packed with features that can help you work smarter and more efficiently. But with so many options available, it can be easy to overlook some of the most useful tools. We’ll explore some hidden tips and tricks in Microsoft apps to help you get the most out of your workday.

According to Microsoft, 80% of Office users reported that they were not aware of all the features available in Microsoft apps.

1. Pin frequently used files in Office apps:

If you find yourself frequently opening the same files, you can save time by pinning them to the “Recent” list in Office apps. Simply right-click on the file in the “Recent” list and select “Pin to list.” To use this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Open an Office app such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
  2. Click on the “File” tab and select “Open.”
  3. In the “Recent” list, find the file you want to pin
  4. Right-click on the file and select “Pin to list.”

2. Use the Quick Access Toolbar in Office apps:

The Quick Access Toolbar in Office apps allows you to customize the commands that are always visible, regardless of which tab you’re on. You can add your most frequently used commands to the Quick Access Toolbar for easy access.

To use this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Open an Office app like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
  2. Right-click on the ribbon and select “Customize The Ribbon.”
  3. In the “Choose commands from” dropdown, select the category of commands you want to add.
    1. You may need to create a Custom Group before adding a command. In that case, click on the group you want your command to show up under > “New Group” > “Rename”.
  4. Find the command you want to add and click the “Add” button.
  5. Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.



3. Use the Focused Inbox in Outlook

The Focused Inbox in Outlook helps you prioritize your emails by separating them into two tabs: Focused and Other. The Focused tab contains emails that are (most likely) most important to you, while the Other tab contains everything else. 

You can train the Focused Inbox by moving emails between the two tabs, and it will be more accurate over time. When you first make the switch, make sure to check both tabs to ensure nothing important goes to the wrong tab.

To use this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Click on the “View” tab > “View Settings” > “Mail” > Sort Messages into Focused and Other
  3. In your inbox, find an email that you want to move to the Focused or Other tab
  4. Right-click on the email and select “Move to Focused” or “Move to Other.”

4. Use the Clutter feature in Outlook

The Clutter feature in Outlook helps you keep your inbox organized by moving low-priority emails into a separate folder. You can train the Clutter feature by marking emails as clutter or moving them to the Clutter folder.

To use this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. In your inbox, find an email you want to mark as clutter.
  3. Right-click on the email and select “Move > (type in the search term)”
  4. To view the emails in the Clutter folder, click on the “Clutter” folder in the left-hand navigation pane.

5. Use the Researcher feature in Word

The Researcher feature in Word can help you find and incorporate reliable sources and content into your documents. Simply search for a topic, and the Researcher will provide you with sources and information you can use in your document.

To use this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Open Word.
  2. Click on the “References” tab and select “Researcher.”
  3. In the “Search” box, type your research topic.

The Researcher will provide you with sources and information you can use in your document.

6. Use the Inking feature in Office apps

The Inking feature in Office apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint allows you to use a digital pen or your finger to write, draw, and highlight directly on your documents.

To use this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Open an Office app such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
  2. Click on the “Draw” tab and select the pen, pencil, or highlighter tool.

Use your digital pen or finger to write, draw, or highlight on your document.

7. Use the Dictation feature in Office apps

The Dictation feature in Office apps such as Word and PowerPoint allows you to use your voice to enter text into your documents. Simply click on the microphone icon and start speaking to enter text.

To use this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Open an Office app such as Word or PowerPoint.
  2. Click on the “Home” tab and select the microphone icon.

Start speaking to enter text into your document.

Make the most out of Microsoft Apps

Just like keeping up with emerging trends and technologies, exploring the hidden tips and tricks in Microsoft apps can help you work more efficiently. By taking the time to discover these features, you can unlock the full potential of your Microsoft apps and get the most out of your workday. 

Work closely with your IT provider, such as Protek-IT, to identify and integrate these solutions that can benefit your business. A proactive approach to staying current with the features of Microsoft apps is vital for ensuring that your small business remains competitive and well-positioned for future growth. Get in touch today!