8 Microsoft Office Books That Experts Rely On to Excel

Recommended by Dona Sarkar @ Msignite, Jordan Goldmeier, and Bille Jelen for mastering Microsoft Office efficiently

Dona Sarkar @ Msignite
Updated on June 26, 2025
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What if you could unlock the full power of Microsoft Office without sifting through endless tutorials? Many users only tap into a fraction of these tools’ capabilities, missing out on ways to save hours each week. As work increasingly demands digital fluency, mastering Office isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for efficiency and impact.

Consider the insights of Dona Sarkar @ Msignite, a leading developer advocate at Microsoft, who found "Adopt & Embrace Microsoft Teams" pivotal in reshaping workplace collaboration and reducing burnout. Then there’s Jordan Goldmeier, a Microsoft MVP, whose endorsements of books like "101 Most Popular Excel Formulas" spotlight practical, hands-on learning that transforms how professionals approach data and automation. Bille Jelen, bestselling author of over 20 Excel titles, praises resources that fill Excel’s functional gaps with clarity and depth.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific Microsoft Office background, skill level, and goals might consider creating a personalized Microsoft Office book that builds on these insights for a more targeted learning experience.

Best for mastering essential Excel formulas
Jordan Goldmeier, a Microsoft MVP known for his deep Excel expertise, recommends this book for its concise and practical approach: "This is a great book. Short and to the point. Filled with the Excel formulas you need to know!" His endorsement reflects how the book delivers exactly what Excel users need to master essential formulas efficiently. Additionally, Bille Jelen, bestselling author of over 20 Excel books, praises the detailed examples and coverage of functions that fill gaps in Excel's native capabilities, demonstrating the authors' thorough understanding of what users seek.

Recommended by Jordan Goldmeier

Microsoft MVP recognized for Excel expertise

This is a great book. Short and to the point. Filled with the Excel formulas you need to know!

101 Most Popular Excel Formulas (101 Excel Series) book cover

by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?

2022·378 pages·Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Data Analysis, Reporting

What started as John Michaloudis's mission to save busy professionals hundreds of hours became a practical guide packed with 101 essential Excel formulas covering lookup, logical, math, statistical, text, date, time, and information functions. You’ll gain hands-on skills like mastering VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, and SUMPRODUCT with clear syntax explanations and step-by-step screenshots, making data analysis and reporting more efficient. This book suits anyone from beginners to intermediate Excel users eager to build confidence and speed in formula application, with downloadable practice workbooks and bonus video tutorials supporting your learning. It doesn’t promise to make you an expert overnight but offers a focused toolkit to elevate your Excel fluency.

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Best for practical Excel macro automation
Jordan Goldmeier, a Microsoft MVP known for his deep Excel expertise, recommends this book for its practical approach to VBA macros. During his extensive work helping users optimize Excel, he found this guide invaluable for beginners eager to build functional macros quickly. "This book was really well written with macros you could begin using immediately. If you're just getting start with building macros in VBA, this book will help you create productive macros in no time," he notes. Goldmeier highlights how the book’s clear instructions and immediate usability helped him rethink how accessible macro programming can be to everyday Excel users.

Recommended by Jordan Goldmeier

Microsoft MVP and Excel expert

This book was really well written with macros you could begin using immediately. If you're just getting start with building macros in VBA, this book will help you create productive macros in no time.

101 Ready To Use Microsoft Excel Macros (101 Excel Series) book cover

by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?

2022·361 pages·Office Automation, VBA, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Excel Macros

After years of guiding professionals through Excel's complexities, John Michaloudis teamed up with Bryan Hong to offer a collection of 101 ready-to-use macros designed to save you time instantly. This book doesn't just list code snippets; it walks you through applying macros for tasks like chart creation, pivot table manipulation, and automating reports with clear screenshots and downloadable workbooks. Whether you’re new to VBA or have some experience, you'll gain practical skills to streamline repetitive Excel tasks and enhance productivity. The inclusion of advanced macros alongside fundamental ones means you can grow your capabilities progressively without feeling overwhelmed.

Microsoft MVP Award to Author John Michaloudis
Author of multiple #1 Amazon Excel bestsellers
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Best for personalized efficiency plans
This AI-created book on Microsoft Office is tailored to your skill level and goals, delivering content that directly matches your experience and interests. By focusing on what matters most to you, it bridges expert knowledge with personalized learning, making it easier to grasp complex tools and workflows. Creating a custom guide like this helps you avoid generic tutorials, instead offering a clear path to mastering Office applications with your unique needs front and center.
2025·50-300 pages·Microsoft Office, Office Productivity, Excel Mastery, Word Processing, PowerPoint Design

This tailored book explores the core functionalities and advanced features of Microsoft Office, crafted specifically to align with your background and objectives. It covers applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, focusing on how to apply them efficiently in your daily tasks. By blending expert knowledge with your unique learning needs, this personalized guide reveals practical techniques and productivity tips that match your interests and skill level. The book examines real-world scenarios and common challenges, providing a tailored pathway through complex Office tools to help you master the suite with confidence and purpose.

Tailored Guide
Office Efficiency
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for boosting Excel efficiency quickly
Jordan Goldmeier, a Microsoft MVP recognized for his extensive Excel expertise, recommends this book as a comprehensive resource for Excel users striving to improve efficiency. After engaging with the book, he noted, "This book covers EVERYTHING in Excel. It really has tips across the spectrum - and even the 'advanced' tips are explained so that anyone can grasp them. You can use these tips immediately. Excel is all about efficiency - and this book will provide you awesome tips to save time." His endorsement highlights the book’s ability to demystify complex features and deliver practical value to both beginners and more experienced users.

Recommended by Jordan Goldmeier

Microsoft MVP Excel expert

This book covers EVERYTHING in Excel. It really has tips across the spectrum - and even the 'advanced' tips are explained so that anyone can grasp them. You can use these tips immediately. Excel is all about efficiency - and this book will provide you awesome tips to save time.

101 Best Excel Tips & Tricks (101 Excel Series) book cover

by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?

2022·538 pages·Microsoft Excel, Office Automation, Microsoft Office, Formulas, Macros

What started as John Michaloudis's mission to help busy professionals master Excel evolved into this detailed guide packed with 101 tips and tricks that enhance your efficiency. You’ll learn how to leverage formulas, pivot tables, macros, and data formatting with clear, step-by-step instructions supported by screenshots and downloadable practice workbooks. The book targets beginner to intermediate users aiming to speed up data analysis and reporting, offering practical shortcuts and insights that save time. For example, chapters on VBA macros introduce automation in a digestible way, while pivot table sections simplify complex data summarization. If you want to move beyond basic Excel skills and cut down on repetitive tasks, this book offers a solid foundation and useful techniques.

Microsoft MVP Author
Amazon #1 Bestselling Excel Book
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Best for rapid Excel skill development
Vincent Fairmont began his journey with Excel in the early 2000s and holds an education from MIT. Having trained over a thousand professionals and supported many businesses in harnessing data effectively, Fairmont brings a wealth of practical expertise to this book. His experience shapes a clear, structured path through Excel 2024’s features, aimed at helping you overcome spreadsheet challenges and elevate your proficiency quickly.
2023·112 pages·Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Formulas, Data Management, VBA Basics

Vincent Fairmont's deep experience with Excel, dating back to the early 2000s, informs this focused guide designed to take you from basic familiarity to confident mastery of Excel 2024 in just six days. You’ll explore essential formulas, tables, charts, and the fundamentals of VBA, all presented with practical exercises and visual aids that help cement your understanding. Fairmont’s approach emphasizes eliminating common beginner errors and building core skills that empower you to handle complex spreadsheets with ease. This book suits professionals keen to quickly ramp up their Excel capabilities, especially those who want a structured, time-efficient learning path without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.

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Best for team collaboration managers
Dona Sarkar @ Msignite, leading developer advocate at Microsoft, highlights how this book became a key resource during her efforts to support healthier workplace tech setups. She recalls appreciating Paul Woods' insights on preventing burnout through smarter use of Microsoft Teams and the Power Platform, describing the conversation as eye-opening. "Really loved this convo between Paul Woods & Sonia Cuff talking about setting up tech in your org to improve people’s lives & prevent burnout," she shared, emphasizing the book's practical impact on her approach to technology adoption.
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Recommended by Dona Sarkar @ Msignite

Leading Dev Advocacy at Microsoft

Really loved this convo between Paul Woods & Sonia Cuff talking about setting up tech in your org to improve people’s lives & prevent burnout. He shares his best advice on doing this with Microsoft Teams & Power Platform. Check out his book on the topic (from X)

2019·272 pages·Microsoft Office, Collaboration, Communication, Team Management, Business Processes

After working with hundreds of organizations and earning Microsoft's Global Partner of the Year award for Teamwork in 2018, Paul Woods and his co-authors offer a focused guide for managers aiming to transform how their teams communicate and collaborate using Microsoft Teams. The book dives into practical strategies for reducing inbox overload, enhancing situational awareness, and empowering teams to work more efficiently, with chapters dedicated to new work practices and sustainable adoption. If you manage a distributed or connected team and want to reclaim your time while improving business processes, this book lays out a clear path without unnecessary jargon or fluff.

Microsoft Global Partner Of The Year 2018
Author awarded Microsoft MVP 10 times
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Best for personalized skill boost
This AI-created book on Excel proficiency is tailored to your background and specific learning goals. You share your current skill level and which Excel features you want to improve, and the book provides a focused 30-day plan just for you. This personalized approach helps you avoid overwhelm and zeroes in on what matters most to your growth in Excel.
2025·50-300 pages·Microsoft Office, Excel Fundamentals, Formulas Usage, Data Management, Pivot Tables

This tailored book explores focused exercises and practical tips designed to rapidly boost your Excel proficiency in just 30 days. It covers essential features such as formulas, data management, pivot tables, and automation techniques, all aligned with your current skill level and learning preferences. By tailoring the content to match your background and specific goals, the book ensures you focus on the most relevant skills for your needs. The personalized approach fosters an efficient learning experience, helping you build confidence and practical ability in Excel without wading through extraneous material. This custom plan reveals a clear pathway through complex expert knowledge, making Excel mastery accessible and achievable on your terms.

Tailored Guide
Excel Skill Acceleration
1,000+ Happy Readers
Vickie Sokol Evans is a globally recognized productivity instructor and Microsoft Certified Trainer with over 20 years of experience training professionals on both PC and Mac platforms. She has worked with top-tier clients including Microsoft, The Gates Foundation, and Amazon. Her deep expertise and engaging teaching style form the foundation of this book, which aims to help you work smarter with Microsoft Office on Windows by sharing practical tips and shortcuts drawn from decades of professional training.
100 Life-Changing Tips Using Microsoft Office for Windows book cover

by Vickie Sokol Evans, MCT, Vickie Sokol Evans;MCT··You?

2020·249 pages·Microsoft Office, Productivity, Automation, Windows Tips, Keyboard Shortcuts

Drawing from over two decades as a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Vickie Sokol Evans designed this guide for professionals eager to sharpen their efficiency with Microsoft Office on Windows. You'll explore over 100 targeted tips that cover everything from mastering keyboard shortcuts to automating repetitive tasks, with detailed screenshots and multi-version support. The book balances foundational skills with lesser-known features across Office 2007 through 2016 and Windows 7 to 10, making it a versatile companion whether you're a beginner or looking to refine existing expertise. If you want to reduce errors, speed up your workflow, and stay current with evolving Office tools, this book lays out practical tactics without fluff.

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Best for mastering all core Office apps
James Holler, an IT consultant with twelve years of corporate experience, wrote this book after realizing how many people use Microsoft Office programs superficially, wasting time and energy. His passion for teaching and extensive knowledge of software updates led him to create a detailed guide covering nine essential Office apps. This book aims to empower anyone working at a desk to handle seemingly complex programs with ease and professionalism.
2024·348 pages·Microsoft Office, Software, PC, Excel, Word

When James Holler noticed how many employees across America were only scratching the surface of Microsoft Office's capabilities, he set out to change that. With over a decade of IT consulting experience, he crafted this extensive guide to help you go beyond the basics in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and more. You'll learn how to leverage shortcuts, understand program differences, and unlock hidden features across nine core Office apps, making your daily work faster and more efficient. Whether new to these tools or looking to deepen your skills, this book breaks down complex functions into clear, approachable steps, ideal for anyone aiming to use Microsoft Office with genuine proficiency.

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Best for absolute beginners learning Excel
Leonard Webb’s extensive background as a programmer and his lifelong passion for technology shine through in this user-friendly Excel guide. Drawing on over 26 years of experience, he crafted this book to fill a gap in clear, accessible software instruction, especially for beginners. His approach combines practical exercises with visual aids, making complex Excel features approachable and manageable for anyone starting out.
2023·131 pages·Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Data Management, Formulas, Charts

When Leonard Webb first realized how confusing Excel can be for beginners, he set out to create a guide that breaks down the program into manageable daily lessons. You’ll find a carefully structured path through Excel basics, data management, formulas, tables, and chart creation, supported by over 200 illustrations and more than 100 exercises to reinforce your skills. For example, Day 5 dives deep into functions and formulas with clear examples, while Day 7 helps you craft professional charts and introduces time-saving keyboard shortcuts. This book suits anyone eager to move from zero to confident Excel user within a week, especially if you prefer hands-on learning over scattered online tutorials.

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Conclusion

Across these eight books, three clear themes emerge: practical application, efficiency, and mastery. Whether you want to automate repetitive Excel tasks ("101 Ready To Use Microsoft Excel Macros"), accelerate beginner learning ("Excel" by Leonard Webb), or lead collaborative teams effectively ("Adopt & Embrace Microsoft Teams"), there’s a resource here tailored to your needs.

If you're navigating a specific challenge like boosting Excel formula skills, starting with "101 Most Popular Excel Formulas" offers immediate benefits. For rapid skill-building, pair "EXCEL 2024" with "101 Best Excel Tips & Tricks" to combine structured learning with efficiency hacks. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Microsoft Office book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation.

These books can help you accelerate your learning journey, turning you from a casual user into a confident, capable Microsoft Office professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "The Microsoft Office 365 Bible" if you want a broad foundation across all core Office apps. If Excel is your focus, "101 Most Popular Excel Formulas" is a concise, practical entry point endorsed by experts like Jordan Goldmeier.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Microsoft Office?

Not at all. For beginners, "Excel" by Leonard Webb breaks down Excel basics in manageable lessons, while "Adopt & Embrace Microsoft Teams" guides managers new to collaboration tools. These books balance clarity with depth.

What’s the best order to read these books?

Consider your main goals: start broad with "The Microsoft Office 365 Bible" for overall mastery, then dive into specialized topics like Excel formulas or macros. For team collaboration, read "Adopt & Embrace Microsoft Teams" early.

Can I skip around or do I need to read them cover to cover?

You can definitely skip around. Many of these books, like "101 Best Excel Tips & Tricks," are structured for quick reference. Use them to solve specific problems or learn targeted skills as needed.

Are any of these books outdated given how fast Microsoft Office changes?

Most books included are recent, like "EXCEL 2024" and "The Microsoft Office 365 Bible," ensuring coverage of the latest features. They keep pace with updates, helping you stay current with evolving software.

How can personalized Microsoft Office books complement these expert titles?

Personalized books build on these expert insights by tailoring content to your experience, goals, and favorite tools. They bridge general advice with your unique needs—create your own tailored Microsoft Office book for focused learning.

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