Lynda - Office 365- Power Point Essential Training Here

The LinkedIn Learning "PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365)" course, instructed by Jess Stratton, is a three-hour, beginner-level program focused on creating professional presentations through effective design, multimedia integration, and modern features like Morph and Cameo. The curriculum covers the full presentation lifecycle, including slide management with Slide Masters, collaboration tools, and the use of Microsoft Copilot for content generation. Learn more about this course on LinkedIn Learning. PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365) Online Class

A Comprehensive Review of Lynda's Office 365: PowerPoint Essential Training

As a professional looking to enhance my productivity and presentation skills, I recently enrolled in Lynda's Office 365: PowerPoint Essential Training course. With over 10 hours of video content, this course promises to equip learners with the essential skills to create engaging and effective presentations using PowerPoint. In this review, I'll share my experience, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the course.

Course Overview

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.

Key Takeaways

  1. Navigation and Interface: The course begins by introducing learners to the PowerPoint interface, explaining the various tools and features. Moser provides a thorough overview of the ribbon, Quick Access Toolbar, and other essential components.
  2. Creating and Managing Presentations: This chapter covers the basics of creating and managing presentations, including setting up slides, adding content, and using templates.
  3. Working with Text and Images: Learners will discover how to work effectively with text and images, including formatting, resizing, and positioning.
  4. Using Shapes, Icons, and Graphics: This section explores the use of shapes, icons, and graphics in PowerPoint, including how to create and edit them.
  5. Working with Tables, Charts, and Graphs: Moser demonstrates how to create and customize tables, charts, and graphs, making it easy to present complex data in a clear and concise manner.
  6. Using Transitions and Animations: This chapter covers the use of transitions and animations, showing learners how to add visual interest to their presentations.
  7. Collaborating with Others: The course highlights the collaboration features in PowerPoint, including how to share and co-author presentations.
  8. Advanced Techniques: Learners will discover advanced techniques, such as using the Morph transition, creating custom themes, and using add-ins.

Strengths

  1. Clear and Concise Instruction: Moser's teaching style is clear, concise, and easy to follow, making it simple to understand complex concepts.
  2. Comprehensive Coverage: The course covers a wide range of topics, from basic to advanced, providing learners with a thorough understanding of PowerPoint.
  3. Practical Examples: The course includes many practical examples, allowing learners to see the concepts in action and apply them to their own work.
  4. Up-to-Date Content: The course is current with the latest version of PowerPoint (Office 365), ensuring learners have the most recent information.

Weaknesses

  1. Pace: Some learners may find the pace of the course a bit slow, particularly if they are already familiar with PowerPoint.
  2. Limited Practice Exercises: While the course includes many examples, there are limited practice exercises for learners to apply their new skills.

Conclusion

Overall, Lynda's Office 365: PowerPoint Essential Training course is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their PowerPoint skills. With its clear instruction, comprehensive coverage, and practical examples, learners will be well-equipped to create engaging and effective presentations. While there are some minor weaknesses, the course's strengths far outweigh them.

Rating: 4.5/5

Recommendation: I highly recommend this course to:

  • Beginners looking to learn PowerPoint from scratch
  • Intermediate learners seeking to refresh their skills or learn advanced techniques
  • Professionals who want to create engaging and effective presentations

Time Commitment: 10 hours (approximately)

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

By investing in this course, learners will gain the essential skills to create professional presentations, enhance their productivity, and communicate more effectively with their audience.

Lynda Vance had been a high school history teacher for twelve years. She knew the difference between the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. She could draw the Schlieffen Plan from memory. But when her principal, Mr. Drake, sent out a memo demanding that all staff “integrate dynamic, visually-driven assessment modules into their Q3 curriculum,” Lynda felt a cold knot form in her stomach.

Her slides were legends. Not in a good way.

They were walls of text in Times New Roman, bullet-pointed to death. Her idea of “animation” was pressing the space bar to reveal the next paragraph. The students called her presentations “The Beige Scroll of Doom.”

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, after a student in the back row had visibly fallen asleep and knocked over a model of the Colosseum, Lynda knew she had to change. She logged into her district portal and saw it: an email from HR. “Professional Development: You have been enrolled in Lynda – Office 365 – PowerPoint Essential Training.”

“Great,” she muttered. “Another corporate video with a perky narrator.”

She clicked the link, expecting a dull lecture. Instead, a clean interface loaded. The first video was titled: “PowerPoint: Don’t Be Your Audience’s Sleeping Pill.” She almost smiled.

The course instructor, a woman named Jess, had a calm, practical voice. She didn't talk about “razzle-dazzle.” She talked about cognitive load. She talked about the Rule of Thirds. She talked about the Speaker’s Secret: if you put your notes in the Presenter View, you look like a genius without needing to memorize a script.

For the next three evenings, Lynda became a student again. She learned to strip out the noise. She discovered the Morph transition and gasped when a simple map of 1914 Europe seamlessly unfolded into the borders of 1918.

She learned about the Design Ideas pane, which took her ugly, centered bullet points and turned them into sleek, left-justified images with high-contrast overlays. She found the Accessibility Checker and realized half her class had been struggling to read yellow text on a white background. Lynda - Office 365- Power Point Essential Training

The real breakthrough came on Thursday. She was watching the module on “Inserting and Formatting Media.” Jess mentioned that you could embed 3D models directly from the Office library. Skeptical, Lynda searched “tank.” A detailed, rotatable Mark IV British tank appeared on her slide. She added a “wheel” animation, so it slowly drove across the screen as she explained the mechanization of the Great War.

Her heart pounded. She was having fun.

The final exam for the course was to create a “Capstone Presentation.” Lynda chose a topic she usually dreaded: The Economics of the Great Depression. Instead of a list of stock market percentages, she built a narrative. She used the Zoom feature to create a clickable, interactive dashboard. Students could choose to explore “Rural Poverty,” “Urban Hunger,” or “Bank Failures.”

On Monday morning, she walked into 3rd period. The lights were up. She plugged in her laptop.

“Alright everyone,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. “Forget the textbook for a minute.”

She clicked the first slide. It wasn't a title. It was a black-and-white photograph of a breadline, but with a soft zoom effect that made it feel cinematic. “This is Mr. Giannini,” she said, tapping a subtle icon. A voiceover clip she’d recorded in the Recording Studio played: “I lost my savings on a Tuesday. By Friday, I was selling apples.”

The students sat up. Their phones stayed in their pockets.

She used the Morph transition to turn a bar graph into a living timeline. She rotated the 3D model of a Dust Bowl farmhouse. She paused on a slide that was just one word: WHY? The silence was electric.

For the first time in twelve years, a student in the back—Marcus, who usually just drew comics—raised his hand.

“Ms. Vance,” he said. “That’s… actually cool. Can you show us how you did the spinning house?”

Lynda smiled. She closed the presentation and opened the “Presenter View,” where her notes were neatly organized, the next slide was previewed, and a timer ticked calmly.

“Actually, Marcus,” she said, clicking over to her bookmarked link. “Let’s start with a lesson on the Morph transition.”

She had finished the training. But the real learning had just begun.

Here’s a solid guide to making the most of the Lynda / LinkedIn Learning course: Office 365: PowerPoint Essential Training.

Note: Lynda.com is now fully integrated into LinkedIn Learning. Same content, different login.

h. Review & Collaboration

  • Comments, comparing presentations
  • Real-time co-authoring (Office 365 feature)
  • Share slides via OneDrive link

7. Quick Cheat Sheet of Shortcuts (from the course)

| Action | Shortcut | |--------|----------| | New slide | Ctrl + M | | Duplicate slide | Ctrl + D (in slide sorter) | | Start presentation | F5 | | Start from current slide | Shift + F5 | | Open Animation Pane | Alt + F2 then A | | Insert picture | Alt + N, P | | Presenter View | Alt + F5 |

Would you like a printable checklist or topic tracker for this specific training course?

Introduction

Microsoft PowerPoint is a powerful presentation software that is widely used in various industries and professions. With the introduction of Office 365, users can now access PowerPoint and other Microsoft applications online, making it easier to collaborate and share presentations with others. In this essay, we will explore the essential training provided by Lynda on Office 365 PowerPoint, highlighting its key features, benefits, and best practices.

Overview of Lynda's PowerPoint Training

Lynda's Office 365 PowerPoint Essential Training is a comprehensive online course designed to help users get started with creating effective presentations using PowerPoint. The course covers the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to create professional-looking presentations, from setting up a presentation to adding content, graphics, and animations. The training is divided into several modules, each focusing on a specific aspect of PowerPoint.

Key Features of the Training

The Lynda PowerPoint training covers a range of topics, including: Navigation and Interface : The course begins by

  1. Setting up a presentation: The course starts by introducing users to the PowerPoint interface, including the ribbon, tabs, and groups. Users learn how to create a new presentation, set up slides, and customize the design and layout.
  2. Adding content: The training covers how to add text, images, and other multimedia content to a presentation. Users learn how to format text, use headings and styles, and add images, charts, and tables.
  3. Working with graphics and animations: The course explores the various graphic and animation features in PowerPoint, including how to add shapes, icons, and graphics. Users learn how to create animations, transitions, and effects to enhance their presentations.
  4. Collaboration and sharing: The training covers how to collaborate with others using PowerPoint Online, including how to share presentations, track changes, and leave comments.
  5. Best practices: Throughout the course, users learn best practices for creating effective presentations, including how to plan, design, and deliver a presentation.

Benefits of the Training

The Lynda PowerPoint training offers several benefits to users, including:

  1. Improved productivity: By mastering the essential skills and features of PowerPoint, users can create presentations more efficiently and effectively.
  2. Enhanced presentation skills: The training helps users to create visually appealing and engaging presentations that communicate their message effectively.
  3. Collaboration and sharing: Users learn how to collaborate with others and share presentations easily, making it easier to work with teams and stakeholders.
  4. Up-to-date skills: The training covers the latest features and updates in PowerPoint, ensuring that users stay up-to-date with the latest tools and technologies.

Best Practices for Using PowerPoint

The Lynda PowerPoint training emphasizes several best practices for using PowerPoint effectively, including:

  1. Plan your presentation: Before creating a presentation, plan your content, structure, and design.
  2. Keep it simple: Avoid clutter and keep your slides simple, clear, and concise.
  3. Use high-quality images: Use high-quality images and graphics to enhance your presentation.
  4. Practice your delivery: Practice your presentation delivery to ensure that you engage and communicate effectively with your audience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lynda's Office 365 PowerPoint Essential Training is a comprehensive online course that provides users with the essential skills and knowledge needed to create effective presentations using PowerPoint. The training covers key features, best practices, and collaboration tools, making it an ideal resource for anyone looking to improve their presentation skills. By mastering the skills and features covered in this training, users can create professional-looking presentations that engage and communicate effectively with their audience.

PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365) course, available on LinkedIn Learning

(formerly Lynda.com), is designed to help users of all skill levels create professional, visually compelling presentations. Course Objectives & Audience Target Audience

: Ideal for beginners with no prior experience and existing users looking for a refresher on modern 365 features.

: Teach users to follow simple design rules that emphasize a message rather than just filling slides with text. Curriculum Highlights

The course is structured into topic-based sections featuring short, video-led demonstrations: Fundamentals : Building presentations from scratch or using templates and themes Content Management : Techniques for adding and editing text video/audio Modern AI Features Microsoft Designer for automated layouts and Microsoft Copilot for creating and summarizing slides. Design & Accessibility : Strategies for creating inclusive presentations and maintaining slide consistency. Delivery & Collaboration : Setting up Presenter View Presenter Coach , and real-time collaboration Key Features Instructor : Led by experts like Jess Stratton Camille Holden Practical Learning : Includes downloadable exercise files so you can follow along in real-time. Flexibility

: The course is modular, allowing you to skip to specific tools like animation effects as needed. AI features covered in this training, or are you interested in a comparison with the "PowerPoint for the Web" version? PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365) Online Class

Lynda's "Office 365 PowerPoint Essential Training" provides a comprehensive guide to creating professional presentations, covering essential design layouts, multimedia integration, and advanced animation techniques. The training also focuses on efficient collaboration tools, such as co-authoring, and effective delivery methods, including the AI-powered Presenter Coach and Presenter View.

Master the Slide: Why "PowerPoint Essential Training" Is a Game Changer

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a student starting out, we’ve all been there: staring at a blank white slide, wondering how to turn a mountain of data into something that actually looks good. If you want to move past basic bullet points and start creating "wow" moments, the PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365) course is your new best friend.

Here is why this course—often led by industry veterans like Jess Stratton Deborah Ashby —is the ultimate toolkit for modern presenters. 1. From "Basic" to "Brilliant" (Fast)

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:

Stop manually fixing every slide. Master slides let you control the universal look, fonts, and logos across your entire deck in one click. 2. Bringing Data to Life

Static charts are out. The course teaches you how to keep your audience’s eyes on the screen using: Instantly convert boring lists into dynamic diagrams. Multimedia:

Learn to embed and format video and audio files so they play perfectly every time. Modern Animations: Go beyond the "fly-in" effect. Discover how to use

for cinematic transitions that make your presentation feel like a story. 3. Present Like a Pro (Even When You’re Nervous)

The hardest part of PowerPoint isn't the slides—it's the delivery. The training covers: PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365) Online Class

The PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365) course, originally from Lynda.com and now on LinkedIn Learning, is a beginner-level program designed to help users create, edit, and share professional presentations. Course Overview Strengths

Instructor: Led by Jess Stratton, a technology coach and author. Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. Skill Level: Beginner.

Released: Updated recently (July 2025) to include modern tools like Microsoft Copilot. Key Topics Covered

The training is structured into logical modules to build your skills from the ground up:

Mastering Modern Presentations: Insights from Office 365 PowerPoint Training

In the modern professional landscape, the ability to communicate ideas visually is as critical as the ideas themselves. The

Lynda (now LinkedIn Learning) Office 365 PowerPoint Essential Training

serves as a foundational roadmap for transforming static slides into dynamic narratives. Rather than focusing solely on aesthetic flourishes, the training emphasizes efficiency

, and the technical capabilities of the cloud-based Office 365 environment. The Shift to Cloud-Based Design

One of the core themes of the training is the evolution of PowerPoint from a standalone desktop application to a collaborative cloud tool

. Office 365 introduces features like real-time co-authoring and AutoSave, which redefine the workflow of a presentation designer. The course highlights how these tools eliminate version control issues, allowing teams to iterate on a deck simultaneously, ensuring that the "final" version is always accessible to everyone involved. Efficiency Through Automation

A significant portion of the "Essential Training" is dedicated to working smarter, not harder. This is most evident in the exploration of PowerPoint Designer (Design Ideas) and Slide Masters Design Ideas:

The course teaches users to leverage AI-driven suggestions to create high-quality layouts instantly, which is invaluable for professionals who lack a formal graphic design background. Slide Masters:

By mastering the "skeleton" of a presentation, users learn to maintain brand consistency across hundreds of slides with a single edit, a skill that separates amateurs from power users. Dynamic Storytelling and Multimedia The training moves beyond bullet points to focus on visual storytelling . It covers the strategic use of transitions like

, which allows for seamless animations that mimic high-end motion graphics. Furthermore, the integration of Excel charts, live video, and high-resolution icons ensures that data remains engaging. The course teaches that a presentation should be a visual aid to the speaker, not a script to be read. Accessibility and Delivery

Finally, the training addresses the often-overlooked aspects of accessibility

. Users are taught to use the Accessibility Checker to ensure content is readable by all audiences, including those using screen readers. Additionally, features like Presenter Coach Speaker Notes

are emphasized as tools to refine delivery, helping presenters speak with confidence while staying on track. Conclusion

The "Office 365 PowerPoint Essential Training" is more than a technical manual; it is a guide to effective communication. By mastering these tools, users can bridge the gap between complex data and audience understanding. In a world where attention is a scarce commodity, the ability to create concise, professional, and engaging presentations is a vital asset for any career. specific feature like Morph transitions or the use of Slide Masters?

The LinkedIn Learning course "PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365)" led by Jess Stratton provides a comprehensive overview of creating professional presentations, ranging from slide management to advanced AI-powered tools. It covers modern features like Microsoft Copilot, PowerPoint Designer, and Morph transitions, alongside collaboration tools for effective presentation delivery. Explore the full course on LinkedIn Learning PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365) Online Class

a. Interface & Setup

  • PowerPoint start screen, ribbon, and backstage view
  • Tell Me search, Quick Access Toolbar
  • Working with OneDrive for cloud saves and access

9. Presentation Delivery

Building the deck is only half the battle. The final module teaches you how to present.

  • Presenter View: Using your laptop screen for notes while the projector shows the slide.
  • Teleprompter view in newer Office 365 builds.
  • Practicing with Rehearse with Coach (AI that tells you if you say "um" too much).
  • Presenting remotely via Teams or Zoom.

Master Your Slides: A Review of the "PowerPoint Essential Training (Office 365)" Course

Whether you are a student preparing a thesis defense, a business professional pitching a quarterly report, or a teacher organizing lecture notes, Microsoft PowerPoint remains the gold standard for presentations. However, there is a massive difference between simply knowing how to open the program and knowing how to create a compelling, professional slide deck.

For those looking to bridge that gap, the "PowerPoint Essential Training (Office 365)" course on LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is widely considered the definitive starting point.

In this post, we break down why this course is a must-watch and the key takeaways you can expect to walk away with.

Why This Course Matters

The modern workplace demands digital literacy. By completing the "PowerPoint Essential Training," you aren't just learning software; you are learning how to communicate visually.

The course usually runs about 2 to 3 hours, but it is broken down into bite-sized videos (2-5 minutes each). This makes it easy to learn during a lunch break or on your commute.