Need to get up to speed on the latest features in Excel? Wrestling with an old version of Word? Looking to get more out of Windows 11? Computerworld’s cheat sheets are easy-to-use guides to help you navigate Microsoft’s core productivity software.

Here’s a one-stop resource where you can find in-depth stories on several generations of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for Windows, focusing on what’s new in each major release. We’ve also got guides for Windows itself, as well as Microsoft Teams, OneDrive (both in Windows and on the web), OneNote, Loop, Whiteboard, Forms, Visio, Planner, and Power Automate.

Microsoft’s subscription-based office suite, called Microsoft 365, is continually updated with new features, so we periodically refresh the cheat sheets for the “365” versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other apps in the suite. But some companies and individuals will likely stay on older versions of the non-subscription software (Office 2021, for example) for some time to come, so we’ve got cheat sheets for several generations of those products as well.

The biggest change in both Microsoft 365 and Windows in recent years is the widespread integration of Microsoft’s generative AI assistant, Copilot. We’ve got tips to help you get the most out of that tool too, with more on the way.

Windows, Office, and Copilot tutorials and tips

• Microsoft Copilot
• Windows 10 and 11
• Microsoft 365 apps
• Office 2021 and 2024
• Office 2016 and 2019
• Office 2013
• Office 2010
• Windows 8

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot tips: 9 ways to use Copilot right

The free version of Microsoft’s generative AI chatbot is available in a standalone app, in the Edge browser, and on the web. Here’s how to make the most of it.

New: 11 cool things Copilot can do in Excel

As Microsoft ramps up Copilot’s capabilities in Excel, the AI tool is becoming genuinely useful for spreadsheet work.

How to curb hallucinations in Copilot (and other genAI tools)

Generative AI chatbots like Microsoft Copilot make stuff up all the time. Here’s how to rein in those lying tendencies and make better use of the tools.

Windows 10 and 11

Windows 11 cheat sheet

To a great extent, Windows 11 looks and works like Windows 10, but there are several minor differences that take some getting used to. We cover all the important changes here, including Copilot integration and new three- and four-finger touchscreen gestures.

• Microsoft Copilot can boost your writing in Word, Outlook, and OneNote — here’s how
• Updated: 10 quick productivity tips for Microsoft 365 mobile apps

Microsoft OneDrive cheat sheet: Using OneDrive for Web

OneDrive for Web lets you save, access, share, and manage your files in the cloud using your favorite browser. Learn how to use the web interface — and Copilot AI with it — for a big productivity boost.

Updated: Microsoft Forms cheat sheet: How to get started

Online forms help you conduct research, collect feedback, test knowledge, and more. Here’s how to use Microsoft Forms to create surveys, feedback forms, quizzes, and other interactive forms.

Microsoft Visio cheat sheet: How to get started

Visio in Microsoft 365 is an excellent tool for creating custom diagrams to illustrate concepts that are difficult to explain through text. Here’s how to use it.

13 tips to get the most out of Microsoft Whiteboard

For Microsoft 365 users, it’s worth adding Microsoft Whiteboard to your collaboration playbook. Here’s how your team can make the most of this digital whiteboard tool.

Updated: Microsoft Planner cheat sheet

Planner gives Microsoft 365 users a built-in task-management tool that small teams can use to track plans, tasks, and progress. Here’s our guide to using Planner on the web and within Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft Power Automate: How to get started

With Power Automate, you can create automated workflows for a wide range of business tasks across multiple apps and services — no coding required. Here’s how to get up and running, along with tips for creating reliable automations.

Office 2013

Word 2013 cheat sheet

Among the major features introduced in Word 2013 are a Start screen, a Design tab, Read Mode, and OneDrive sync. Our guide covers how to use them all and provides handy keyboard shortcuts for Word 2013. There’s also a Word 2013 Ribbon quick reference.

SharePoint 2013 cheat sheet

Learn the basics of navigating and using a SharePoint site, where to go to find some of the customization options, and 5 advanced SharePoint 2013 tips.

Office 2010

Word 2010 cheat sheet

Learn how to use Word 2010’s Navigation pane, image editing tools, text effects and other new features. Also see the list of handy keyboard shortcuts for Word 2010 and our Word 2010 Ribbon quick reference charts.

Excel 2010 cheat sheet

Excel 2010 introduces Sparklines, Slicers, and other enhancements to PivotTables and PivotCharts. Find out how to use those, along with keyboard shortcuts for Excel 2010 and our quick reference for finding your favorite commands on the Excel 2010 Ribbon.

PowerPoint 2010 cheat sheet

Learn how to use PowerPoint 2010’s multimedia editing tools, sharing options and other handy features. As usual, we’ve got keyboard shortcuts for PowerPoint 2010 and a guide to finding old PowerPoint 2003 commands on the PowerPoint 2010 Ribbon.

Outlook 2010 cheat sheet

The Ribbon was only half-present in Outlook 2007, but in Outlook 2010 it’s ubiquitous. Other notable changes include Conversation View to group email messages, Schedule View for scheduling meetings, and an enhanced search function. We show you how to use them all, provide some handy keyboard shortcuts for Outlook 2010 and detail where old Outlook 2003 commands are located in Outlook 2010.

SharePoint 2010 cheat sheet

Unlike earlier versions of SharePoint, SharePoint 2010 is based on the Ribbon interface. Here’s how to find your way around and get started with a SharePoint site.

Windows 8

Windows 8 cheat sheet

Not many people are still using this nightmare of an operating system, which radically overhauled the classic Windows interface in an attempt to make it more like a mobile OS. Just in case, here’s help finding your way around. (But seriously, it’s way past time to upgrade to a newer OS.)