PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365) course, originally from Lynda.com and now hosted on LinkedIn Learning , is a comprehensive guide for creating professional presentations. Led by instructors like Jess Stratton or Deborah Ashby, the training is designed for both beginners and experienced users looking for modern feature updates. Core Course Modules The course is typically structured into several topic-based sections to allow for both sequential learning and quick troubleshooting: Getting Started Quickly : Covers starting with themes or templates, creating new presentations from scratch, and saving files. Working with Slides : Includes adding, removing, and rearranging slides, as well as changing layouts, backgrounds, and using the PowerPoint Designer for automated formatting. Visual Elements : Instructions on inserting and formatting images, shapes, charts, and SmartArt diagrams. It also covers object layering and alignment. Multimedia and Animation : How to add and format video and audio files, apply slide transitions, and use advanced animation tools like Morph and Zoom Advanced Tools : Features newer M365 capabilities such as Microsoft Copilot for summarizing or generating slides and for live webcam integration. Delivery and Collaboration Preparation : Using speaker notes, rehearsing with timings, and utilizing Presenter Coach to improve delivery. Collaboration : Methods for sharing presentations, co-authoring in real-time, and viewing previous revisions. Accessibility : Focuses on creating inclusive presentations for users with disabilities and using the built-in Accessibility Checker Training Format PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365) Online Class
Master Presentations: A Deep Dive into the Lynda - Office 365 - PowerPoint Essential Training Course In the modern business landscape, how you present is often more important than what you present. Whether you are pitching to investors, teaching a virtual classroom, or reporting quarterly earnings, Microsoft PowerPoint remains the undisputed king of presentation software. However, most users only scratch the surface. They move text boxes, add clip art, and click through default templates. If you are ready to move from "competent" to "exceptional," the Lynda - Office 365 - PowerPoint Essential Training course is the gold standard. Now hosted on LinkedIn Learning, this comprehensive training program transforms novice users into confident presentation designers. In this article, we will break down everything you need to know about this course: what it covers, who it is for, how it integrates with the latest Office 365 features, and why it is the only PowerPoint resource you will ever need. Why "Essential Training" Matters in the Office 365 Era Before the cloud, PowerPoint was a static tool. You installed it, used it for three years, and upgraded. Office 365 changed the game. With monthly updates, AI integration (Designer), and real-time collaboration, the software you use today is vastly different from the version released last year. The Lynda - Office 365 - Power Point Essential Training specifically targets this fluid environment. This is not a legacy course for PowerPoint 2016 or 2019. It is built for the subscription-based, always-updating Office 365 ecosystem. Key differences covered in the course:
Real-time co-authoring: Learn how multiple team members can work on a deck simultaneously. PowerPoint Designer: How to leverage AI to generate layout ideas instantly. Morph Transition: The "magic" transition that creates cinematic animations without complex keyframes. Cloud saves and sharing: Mastering OneDrive integration to avoid "Final_v5_FINAL.ppt" disasters.
Course Instructor: The Authority of Jess Stratton A great course lives or dies by its instructor. The Lynda - Office 365 - Power Point Essential Training is led by Jess Stratton, a renowned staff author and productivity expert. Jess has a teaching style that is notoriously "low-fluff." She avoids jargon, moves at a comfortable pace, and focuses on practical workflow rather than theoretical feature lists. Unlike YouTube tutorials where you spend ten minutes listening to someone apologize for their microphone, Jess gets straight to the point. She understands the pain points of business users—like aligning logos or fixing font inconsistencies—and solves them with repeatable techniques. What You Will Learn: A Module-by-Module Breakdown This course is structured into logical chapters. Here is what you can expect when you enroll. 1. The Quick Start Guide (For the Procrastinator) Jess understands that sometimes you need a deck in 20 minutes. The opening module is a "speed run" of building a complete presentation from scratch. You will learn how to: Lynda - Office 365- Power Point Essential Training
Open a blank deck and choose a theme. Add and format text. Insert pictures from online sources. Run a basic slide show. Takeaway: A finished rough draft in under 30 minutes.
2. Working with Slides and Layouts Most users treat slides like blank canvases. That is inefficient. This module focuses on Slide Masters and Layouts .
How to edit the Slide Master to change every slide’s font at once. Creating custom layouts for quotes, data charts, and section dividers. Saving custom themes for brand consistency. Working with Slides : Includes adding, removing, and
3. Text and Tables: Beyond Bullet Points Death by bullet point is real. Jess teaches you how to use text as a visual element.
Converting boring lists into SmartArt graphics. Working with tables imported from Excel. Typography tips: When to use Serif vs. Sans-Serif in a boardroom.
4. Visual Impact: Images, Icons, and 3D Models Office 365 has an incredible built-in library of stock images and icons. This section covers: Multimedia and Animation : How to add and
Using the Icons library (a lifesaver for modern, flat design). Removing backgrounds from photos without Photoshop. Inserting rotating 3D models (exclusive to Office 365). Applying artistic effects and picture corrections.
5. Animation and Transitions (The Morph Secret) This is the most popular chapter in the Lynda - Office 365 - Power Point Essential Training .