I find that when I’m staring at a blank canvas or a nice and blank “new document” I don’t have a good idea of what direction I could be heading with my thoughts or needs. If you start with a template and see what other people have done with the tool you’re using, it can help get your own gears of creativity spinning and give you an idea of what’s possible with the application you’re getting started using.

If you’re trying to learn what one of the Microsoft Office applications are capable of, starting with a template is a great way to see the power and features of the app.

You can look through templates based on themes, industry or in our case of learning a new program, by “Program Category”. The Microsoft Office Online website has templates available in the following apps:

• Microsoft Office Access
• Microsoft Office Excel
• Microsoft Office InfoPath
• Microsoft Office OneNote
• Microsoft Office Outlook
• Microsoft Office PowerPoint
• Microsoft Office Project
• Microsoft Office Publisher
• Microsoft Office Visio
• Microsoft Office Word

So, whatever the business app you’re more than likely trying to learn, Microsoft probably has a template to help get you started.

Post from: EveryJoe

Use Templates to Help You Learn a New Office Program

Since I couldn’t make it to the early class where they were covering Word 2007, I spoke on the night they covered Access 2007. I ended up hanging around through the entire class to get a little introduction and overview of the power of Microsoft Access 2007.

I’ve been working with SQL databases and a few Access databases for the past 4 years now. I was thrown into figuring out SQL and troubleshooting items, but I never really had the opportunity to take things from the start and move from there. Much of what was discussed in class was information I already grasped easily. There was a true benefit of seeing how to start from scratch. From my experience, it’s like I was taught how to fly a plane but I only took control after someone else had already gone through take-off. Last night helped me learn how to take-off in Access.

As I was in class I was intrigued by the potential for Access to be used more by individuals for things they do everyday. Many people use Excel as their “database”, basically a simple flat file version. That’s not the true strength of Excel though.

Do you use Access? Let us know in our poll below. If you are a user, let us know how you use the tool in the comments. If you’re not a user, why not? Cost? Availability? Fear of the tool? I’ll be jumping into a few test projects soon, I’m looking forward to it.

A quick thank you to Bob Burchfield that invited me to speak to the class. He and I have met through our work blogging and supporting websites in Indianapolis. He runs AroundIndy.com which is a HUGE wealth of information about everything going on around Indianapolis.

Post from: EveryJoe

The Power of Access – User Poll

The office has been a bit desolate for a while. So Colleen is taking over Office Tweaks. Join me in welcoming him.

Jason introduces us to the Super Bowl Single Girl. Pardon the dumb question, but why would anyone want to raise $3M and pay it to some television network? Aren’t Mr. Right’s for sale anymore? The big cynical question is: what if she realizes that she isn’t interested in Mr. Right? This comedienne is funny. So I wish her the best.

Claire wants you to take the Linux Graphics Survey 2008. What’s in it to you? Take these tips for Ubuntu users as a gift.

Jason has a tutorial to easily import table data into Excel from, say, a web page. Could use it some day, but I’m more interested in the reverse process.

How would you feel about a URL that is mysterious about what it can contain? I think it can be one of the types of spam. Jayvee thinks that stripping away those preconceptions can also be a refreshing browsing experience. A debate is slowly brewing up at his post. Come join us.

Juan is excited that Barack uses Mac. I’m more excited about this MacBook X-ray. What a geek!

Post from: EveryJoe

Tech Channel Roundup From Wishes to X-rays