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

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.
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!”
by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?
by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?
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.
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.”
by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?
by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?
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.
by TailoredRead AI·
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.
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.”
by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?
by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?
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.
by Vincent Fairmont··You?
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.
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)
by Paul Woods, Helen Blunden, Benjamin Elias, Darrell Webster··You?
by Paul Woods, Helen Blunden, Benjamin Elias, Darrell Webster··You?
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.
by TailoredRead AI·
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.
by Vickie Sokol Evans, MCT, Vickie Sokol Evans;MCT··You?
by Vickie Sokol Evans, MCT, Vickie Sokol Evans;MCT··You?
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.
by James Holler··You?
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.
by Leonard Webb··You?
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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