Unit Description

This lesson is learning how to use software that is fundamental to computing, ranging from Microsoft Office products, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to using draw.io to create mindmaps to help organize thoughts and processes. In addition to using Microsoft Office, we learned concepts of best practice like Information Hierarchy, Styles/Headings in Word, and cell referencing in Excel.

Terms and Definitions

Information Hierarchy

Displaying and arranging information in an organized fashion prioritizing information in an organized fashion, prioritizing essential elements, highlighting key information, and facilitating a logical flow for users. Source: Mobasseri, N. (2023, September 12). The art of information hierarchy. Retrieved from Medium: https://medium.com/design-bootcamp/the-art-of-information-hierarchy-f79dea3fcebf

Root Folder

The top-level folder in a file system hierarchy, serving as the starting point for all other directories(folders) within the system. Source: Blog Admin. (2026, April 17). Root Directory--Definition & Detailed Explanation -- Operating Systems Glossary Terms. Retrieved from PCPartsGeek: https://pcpartsgeek.com/root-directory/

Working File vs Deliverable File (in concept)

A working file is a file that a user works with during the development process. A deliverable file is the finished product that is disseminated. Source: Morgan. (2022, July 20). Work Product vs. Deliverable. Retrieved from The IT BA: https://www.theitba.com/work-product-vs-deliverable/

Saving vs Exporting

Saving is updating changes made to the file you are viewing, i.e., editable files where file type doesn’t change. Exporting is for a final output, usually as a common file type, such as a pdf, or a csv. Source: Kristensen, J. (2025, December 27). Save As vs Export -- What is the Difference? Retrieved from Beamtic: https://beamtic.com/save-as-vs-export

Operating System

A program that manages a computer’s resources, especially the allocation of those resources among other programs. Source: Hemmendinger, D. (2026, May 5). Operating System. Retrieved from Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/technology/operating-system

Open-Source Software

Source code that is developed and maintained through open collaboration. E.g. Firefox browser, or Linux operating system. Source: Smalley, I. &. (2026, June 19). What is open source software. Retrieved from IBM: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/open-source

Styles/Headings

Styles is a way to quickly apply a set of formatting choices consistently throughout the document. Headings provide both structure and visual points of reference to help readers scan content. Source: Microsoft. (2026, June 19). Customize or create new styles. Retrieved from Microsoft | Support: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/Word/customize-or-create-new-styles and Microsoft. (2026, June 19). Headings. Retrieved from Microsoft | Learn: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/scannable-content/headings

Relative Reference (in Excel)

When you copy a formula that contains a relative cell reference, the reference cell in the formula will change. This is the default. Source: Microsoft. (2026, June 19). Switch between relative, absolute, and mixed reference. Retrieved from Microsoft | Support: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/Excel/switch-between-relative-absolute-and-mixed-references

Absolute Reference (in Excel)

Absolute reference is when you copy a formula and want to maintain the original cell reference. This is done by inserting dollar signs ($) before and after the column letter in a formula. Source: Microsoft. (2026, June 19). Switch between relative, absolute, and mixed reference. Retrieved from Microsoft | Support: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/Excel/switch-between-relative-absolute-and-mixed-references

Formula vs Functions (in Excel)

Whenever you enter an equal-to sign (=), followed by cell reference, operators, numbers, etc., it’s a formula. Functions are pre-defined formulas in excel that takes arguments as the input and provides results. Source: Bansal, S. (2026, June 19). Formula vs Function in Excel -- What's the Difference? Retrieved from TrumpEXCEL: https://trumpexcel.com/formula-vs-function-excel/

6 x 6 Presentation Guideline

The idea that a powerpoint slide should contain no more than 6 lines of text and each line of text should contain no more than 6 words. Source: SlideModel.com. (2025, June 18). What is the 6x6 Rule in PowerPoint? Retrieved from SlideModel.com: https://slidemodel.com/6x6-rule-powerpoint/

Lessons Learned

This lesson was a great crash course in all things Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The professor was talking about how people would use Word as a glorified typewriter and I am completely guilty of that. These lessons really taught me how to use navigation panes alongside headings and subheadings along with managing sources. In addition, I studied international relations in graduate school, and we were consistently instructed to keep PowerPoint slides as basic a possible, which doesn't lend itself to learning cool features and functions, such as SmartArt, themes, or transitions, let alone PowerPoint Live. Excel is something I have always been pretty well versed in (as in writing VBA scripts), so I didn't learn as much there, but it did still give me good practice of the basics.