All about Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, Microsoft 365, Office 2021 and earlier versions.
Python Meets Pixels: Excel Now Analyzes Images Like a Pro
Excel, long known for its love affair with numbers, has now developed a taste for images—thanks to Python. Microsoft has rolled out a feature that lets users insert images into individual Excel cells and analyze them using Python code. Yes, the spreadsheet just got a little more artsy and a lot more tech-savvy. Forget floating […]
Excel’s better text splitting powers
Discover Excel’s Text-Splitting Power – Unlock Faster, Smarter Data ManagementMicrosoft has elevated text handling in Excel by rolling out powerful formula functions—TEXTBEFORE, TEXTAFTER, and TEXTSPLIT—that revolutionize how you extract and split strings. No more convoluted nested LEFT, RIGHT, or SEARCH formulas . Normally when working with text it’s common to need to break the text apart […]
Discover more in Word’s spelling corrections
Everyone knows that Word checks your spelling with red underlines but do you know everything that’s possible in the spell check menus. Simply click the underlined word to view suggested corrections. Choose the right option, and Word will replace it instantly. So far, so easy. More choices below the suggestions What people often overlook are […]
Password-Protecting Your PowerPoint Decks: What You Need to Know
To prevent somebody ripping off your prized presentation or deck, you should password-protect your presentation, making it accessible only to people you trust. PowerPoint includes a built‑in password‑protection feature that ensures only authorized users can open and modify your presentation. Why password lock a PowerPoint presentation? To keep the deck safe from prying eyes either […]
Finding missing files on Windows computer
Sometimes whole folders or files seem to disappear from a Windows computer. Here’s how to find them again including places that Windows doesn’t normally check. Open Explorer and look for the “This PC” label that’s lower down the left-side menu, or type “This PC” in the address bar. This PC means all the indexed locations […]
Make your own “Keep Calm and Carry on”
The BBC has published a good history of the famous “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster from World War 2 but missed what, to us, is the most important 21st Century innovation. When “Keep Calm and Carry On” first became popular, we saw the opportunity to showcase what Word and PowerPoint can do beyond standard […]
PivotTables get auto refresh at long last!
Finally, PivotTables are going ‘live’ and will automatically refresh if other parts of the workbook change. It’s something that Excel users have wanted for years. Auto Refresh turns your PivotTable into a live mirror—updates to source data within your workbook now instantly refresh any connected PivotTables, without you lifting a finger. No more manual “Refresh” […]
Microsoft Alert: Update Office or voice features are silenced
Microsoft has officially warned all Microsoft 365 customers to update Office—or risk losing handy features like Read Aloud, Transcribe, and Dictate. Most people will already be OK but it’s worth checking to make sure. Microsoft is totally revamping the backend services that powers the voice related parts of Microsoft Office; Dictate, Read Aloud or Transcribe. […]
See which Excel cells need updating or stale
Excel 365 is getting (at last) a clear warning that some cells have not been recalculated aka a ‘stale cell’ with the addition of a ‘Format Stale Values’ option. This feature only applies if you’re using partial or manual calculation modes. Most of us use the default Automatic mode where Excel updates cells when necessary. […]
Microsoft Store Edition of Microsoft 365 Apps Is Heading Into Retirement
Microsoft has quietly announced that the Microsoft Store version of Microsoft 365 apps will no longer receive feature updates after October 2025, nor security updates after December 2026. Microsoft 365 for Windows via the Microsoft Store was delivered via the Store’s Appx installation—sandboxed, safe, but increasingly outdated for modern enterprise needs. There was a time when […]
Secret stuff saved on your OneDrive
OneDrive isn’t just used for documents and photos. Microsoft saves a lot of related files in secret, hidden folders taking up the space customers pay for and preventing proper backup. Let’s look at the messy mix of things hidden in OneDrive and other Microsoft online locations. You can see what’s saved on your OneDrive storage […]
How to Switch Back to Classic Outlook from New Outlook
Looking for a way to revert to classic Outlook after trying the new Outlook for Windows? This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to switch back to classic Outlook, explains how both versions are probably on your PC. If you’ve tried the new Outlook for Windows and wish to return to the classic version, follow […]
Why doesn’t an Outlook change of address stick?
If you’re wondering why a contacts address change in Outlook doesn’t stick, you’re not alone—many Outlook users face this frustrating issue. There are three possible reasons starting with a little known quirk in how Outlook saves email addresses. An Office Watch reader asks why Outlook keeps remembering an old email address despite updating the contact […]
Easy Way to Copy Slides Between PowerPoint decks
Microsoft is retiring the Reuse Slides feature, however you can still copy slides manually—and it’s simple. Whether you’re preparing for a meeting, a lecture, or a project presentation, knowing how to quickly and efficiently move or copy slides between presentations can save you both time and hassle. To get started, you will need to have […]
SharePoint Security Alert: Critical Zero-Day Vulnerabilities and Emergency Updates
Recent zero-day vulnerabilities in SharePoint have exposed serious “ToolShell” risks, prompting Microsoft to issue an update then an emergency patch when the original fix wasn’t enough. We break down the latest SharePoint security flaws and the steps administrators need to take which go beyond just applying patches. The ‘zero day’ security hole affected SharePoint servers […]
Microsoft buys poo to look ‘green’
In the ongoing race to win the “We’re Totally Green Now” medal, Microsoft has galloped ahead—by offloading human waste and investing in tree-planting projects that may or may not be in the same hemisphere as their data centers. Editors note: never, in the 30 year history of Office Watch, did I think we’d have a […]
