In the last few months, many of us have got used to working remotely. At one time it may have been something that we did occasionally. But recently, working from home has become the norm - and so has trying to collaborate without being in the same room.
That’s where OneDrive comes in. It’s an online drive where you can store, share and work on the same file at the same time. So, no more emailing that PowerPoint file back and forth. But more on that later.
First, let’s talk about the new Microsoft 365...
What’s new with Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 is the new name for Office 365. Microsoft 365 has the same reliable programs that we use every day – but there’s some brand-new features to look out for too.
While you’ll probably recognise the likes of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, even these come with new features on Microsoft 365. For example, PowerPoint has been upgraded with a new AI design assistant which makes presentations look even better without you having to know much about design. It’s a huge help when you’ve got all the great ideas, but don’t know how to make them look good.
Then there’s Ink Editor. It lets you edit documents using a compatible pen or stylus. So, if you’re the kind of person who likes to scribble notes down the side of the page – this is your dream addition.
And Word, Excel and PowerPoint all now work with OneDrive to allow easy co-authoring. Because OneDrive is something that can be accessed from anywhere, it means lots of people can work on the same file at once. So, no more confusion over what version of a document you should be working on. It’s a lifesaver when you want to collaborate without being at the same desk.
To get the latest on OneDrive and some expert tips, we talked to Hannah from Microsoft for the insider’s view.
Top tips for collaborating on OneDrive
1. Chat while you collaborate
“Being able to work on the same at the same time doesn’t really work unless you can talk through what you’re trying to do. That’s why you can use Skype or chat in-app as you work.”
2. It’s not JUST for work
“While a lot of people use OneDrive for work – it has no many more uses. You could be working together on a quiz, a party invite or something for uni.”
3. Share your work easily
"You can send someone a link to what you’re doing through email or social media. You can control whether that person can view or edit what you’re working on. It’s totally up to you.”
But what about Microsoft Teams?
And finally, the good news is that that Microsoft Teams is coming to the home edition of Microsoft365 later in the year. Teams packages up video calls, messaging, planning tasks and collaboration into one program. It’s been an awesome tool for people working from home, and now it’s going to make video chatting with your mates even better!
For more information about how to use Microsoft Teams, look at our handy guide!
