Lynda - Office 365- Power Point Essential Training Jun 2026
Change fonts, colors, and logos once to update the entire deck automatically.
Before diving into the specifics of the training course, it is essential to understand how Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) altered the landscape of slide design. Traditionally, PowerPoint was a static, localized desktop application. Updates were sequential, meaning users had to wait years for new versions (e.g., PowerPoint 2010 to 2013) to access new tools.
Best used for one-off annotations. Overusing them breaks layout automation and complicates future theme changes. 3. Dynamic Visual Elements: Text, Shapes, and Media
Adding speaker notes, rehearsal techniques, and running unattended slideshows.
Furthermore, the training . It doesn't teach outdated software; it focuses on the modern, subscription-based version of PowerPoint, covering unique features like Designer, Morph, Zoom, and Presenter Coach that are not available in older, one-time-purchase versions. The course also includes hands-on challenges and interactive elements that move beyond passive watching. These practical exercises are crucial for cementing new skills and building confidence. Finally, the certificate of completion , which can be added directly to a LinkedIn profile, is a valuable asset for professional development, providing tangible proof of skill acquisition that employers can see. Lynda - Office 365- Power Point Essential Training
You don't need to be a graphic designer to make professional slides. The training takes you through: Designer & Themes: Learn to use AI-driven tools like PowerPoint Designer to get instant, professional layout suggestions. Slide Masters:
: Covers starting with themes or templates, creating new presentations from scratch, and saving files. Working with Slides
To get the highest return on investment from this course, avoid passively watching the videos. Implement these active learning strategies:
The course is divided into 10 chapters, covering a range of topics from basic to advanced. The instructor, David F. Moser, is an experienced trainer with a clear and concise teaching style. The course is designed for beginners and intermediate learners, making it an excellent resource for those new to PowerPoint or looking to refresh their skills. Change fonts, colors, and logos once to update
Open the course videos on one screen (or a tablet) and have PowerPoint open on another. Replicate the instructor's steps immediately.
The course begins by demystifying the PowerPoint environment. Users learn to navigate the Ribbon interface, customize the Quick Access Toolbar for maximum efficiency, and utilize the Backstage view for file management. Understanding how to switch between different views—such as Normal View, Outline View, Slide Sorter, and Notes Page—is emphasized as a foundational step for efficient workflow management. 2. Building from Scratch vs. Utilizing Templates
The Lynda - Office 365: PowerPoint Essential Training course includes several key features that make it an effective learning tool:
The course heavily leverages Office 365’s built-in AI tool, . By analyzing the words and images placed on a slide, Designer automatically generates professional, highly curated layout options. The training teaches you how to feed data into the application so that the AI works for you, cutting slide creation time down by up to 70%. Cognitive Loading and Audience Retention Updates were sequential, meaning users had to wait
Understanding the "Lynda" part of the title is crucial. The course has its roots in , a pioneering online learning platform founded in 1995 by Lynda Weinman. For years, Lynda.com was the go-to source for high-quality, expert-led video tutorials on software, creative skills, and business topics. In 2015, the professional social network LinkedIn acquired Lynda.com for approximately $1.5 billion. A year later, Microsoft itself purchased LinkedIn for $26.2 billion.
Another notable advantage is the platform’s practical, hands-on methodology. LinkedIn Learning provides exercise files that allow users to work alongside the instructor, creating real-world projects such as sales pitches, educational lectures, or portfolio reviews. The inclusion of and a final assessment solidifies retention, transforming passive watching into active learning. Moreover, the availability of closed captions, downloadable transcripts, and the ability to adjust playback speed makes the course highly adaptable for diverse learning styles. For organizations using Office 365, the training also covers essential collaboration features—co-authoring, real-time comments, and seamless sharing via OneDrive—which are critical for remote and hybrid teams.
Navigation, workspace interface, and using the Presentation Gallery.
The training then moves into visual elements, a cornerstone of any effective presentation. Students learn to work with images, shapes, and other objects, covering everything from basic insertion to advanced formatting, adding effects, and using the tool to precisely align objects on a slide. Important concepts like object layering, grouping, and the magic of the Format Painter to copy formatting instantly are also thoroughly explained. The course goes further, showcasing powerful image-editing skills such as removing the background from pictures, merging and grouping shapes to create custom graphics, and cropping images and converting them to icons for a modern, clean look.
