I know what you’re thinking: “Office? That sounds a bit dull.” But don’t let the name put you off reading this book. Although Microsoft Office can be used to manage your household accounts and write letters to the bank, it also enables you to enjoy fun projects like creating party invitations, making posters, planning your holidays, putting together slide shows and compiling recipe books. In fact, once you understand the basics of how to use Microsoft Office, your imagination is the only limit. Soon you’ll be thinking of more and more ways to use Microsoft Office and unleash the full power of your PC.

Whether you’re a beginner or are already using it, you’ll discover that there are two main benefi ts to mastering Microsoft Office. Firstly, it makes life easier. If you’re still writing out your Christmas card envelopes by hand, or struggling to work out how much interest the bank is due to pay you, let the computer take the strain. Computers love complex and repetitive tasks and once you’ve learned how to set things up they’ll happily beaver away on your behalf while you put your feet up. It’s like having that robot they always promised us, although it still won’t make the tea or vacuum the living room. (Microsoft, if you’re listening, please dedicate some boffi ns to making that happen!)

Secondly, Microsoft Office can empower you in your hobbies and creative pastimes. If you’ve always wanted to write a novel, word processing is your tool. If you want to keep track of the number of birds you’ve spotted or train timetables, a spreadsheet can help. If you are ever called upon to deliver a presentation, whether it’s showcasing photos to your family or sharing your expertise with the local horticulture society, a PowerPoint presentation helps you organise your thoughts and tell your story.