Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Prep Courses

These courses will prepare you to take the exam for Microsoft Office Specialist certification in Excel or PowerPoint. You must have basic computer literacy skills and experience using Microsoft programs, and you must commit to attending the full six-week series of classes. To register, call 216.749.9424.

Excel: Mondays, October 10 – November 14 / 6 – 8:30 PM
Parma-Snow Branch

PowerPoint: Fridays, October 14 – November 18 / 10 AM – 12 PM
Parma-Snow Branch

Computer Classes

See all in-person classes. | See all virtual classes.

Guidelines

• All classes are free.
• Classes are for adults 18 and over.
• Classes start promptly! We cannot hold seats for attendees who arrive after an in-person class has started.
• Registration is required for all classes and begins 30 days before the date of the class.
• To register, call the host branch or register online.
• For virtual classes beginning at 10 AM, registration closes at 3 PM the day before the class. For virtual classes beginning at 1 PM, registration closes at 6 PM the day before the class.
• Virtual classes are held using Zoom Webinar.
• A valid email address is required for virtual classes.
• Registrants for virtual classes will receive an email with a link to join the class at least an hour before the start time. If you do not receive this email, check your spam or junk folder, and be sure to allow techtrainer@cuyahogalibrary.org as a trusted sender.

Look for the Star ★

Classes with a star include an optional Northstar assessment. The Northstar Digital Literacy Project defines basic skills needed to perform tasks on computers and online. Learn more.

When students pass a proctored assessment at an approved site, they can obtain a Northstar Digital Literacy Certificate. This can be used to demonstrate proficiency or as a credential for employment. Customers are encouraged to bring earbuds or headphones to hear audio from the assessment. Log in to the CCPL assessment.

In-Person Classes

Computer Essentials

Computer Basics ★

Learn the basics about computing devices, including identifying hardware, using a mouse and keyboard, and navigating the desktop environment. Computer settings, file management and mobile devices will also be discussed. No prerequisites.
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Internet Basics ★

Learn how to use web browsers and search engines to navigate the internet. This class will also discuss how to stay secure while searching for and submitting information online. Prerequisite: Computers Basics or experience using a computer.
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Email Basics ★

Using Gmail, learn how to create, send and organize email, as well as attach files to messages. Spam, junk mail and email etiquette will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Internet Basics. Preferred: an existing email account.
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Windows 11 Lecture

Learn how to use the newest operating system for PCs and tablets in this lecture-style class. Explore new features, including the redesigned Start menu, system requirements and updated interface.
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Microsoft Word

Word 1 ★

Learn the essentials of Word, including how to enter and format text, copy and paste, and correct spelling and grammar errors. Saving and printing options will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Computer Basics or experience using a computer.
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Word 2

Learn how to organize and add visual interest to documents in Microsoft Word. Topics include creating and modifying tables, inserting and formatting images, and creating letters and mailing labels using the Mail Merge feature. Prerequisite: Word 1.
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Word 3

Learn about the advanced formatting features available in Word, including tab stops, styles, headers and footers. We will also discuss using tracking capabilities and comments to collaborate on documents. Prerequisite: Word 1.
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Microsoft Excel

Excel 1 ★

This session introduces spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. Topics covered include entering data, using autofill and performing calculations using basic formulas and functions. Prerequisite: Computer Basics or experience using a computer.
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Excel 2

Learn how to manage, manipulate and analyze data using the sort, filter and chart tools available in Excel. Other topics include paste special options and working with multiple sheets. Prerequisite: Excel 1.
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Excel 3

For those already familiar with Excel, this class will introduce a variety of functions, including text functions, summary functions and conditional summary functions. Learn how to use named ranges in functions and resolve common function errors. Prerequisite: Excel 1.
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Excel 4

Learn how to use some of the advanced functions available in Excel, including lookup and logical functions. We will also discuss the use of pivot tables and conditional formatting to analyze and visualize data. Prerequisite: Excel 3.
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Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint 1 ★

Create a simple presentation and learn how to add text, images and transitions to slides. Prerequisite: Computer Basics or experience using a computer.
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PowerPoint 2

Learn how take your presentation to the next level. Topics include using slide master and adding animations, hyperlinks, videos and sound. Prerequisite: PowerPoint 1.
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Adobe Creative Cloud

Illustrator

Design a logo using the various shape, drawing and text tools available in Adobe Illustrator.
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Photoshop 1: Basics

Learn how to edit and manipulate images using basic tools available in Adobe Photoshop. Topics include how to crop and rotate images, use color correction tools and work with layers.
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Photoshop 2: Photo Retouching

Expand your knowledge of Photoshop and explore tools for retouching and correcting photos. Topics include using selection tools, patch tools, adjustment layers and layer masks. Prerequisite: Photoshop 1 or experience using Photoshop.
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Other Classes

Microsoft Access

Learn how to manage large amounts of information and link data to create a seamless array of information. Features covered include tables and queries. Prerequisite: Excel 1.
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Google Apps

Explore Google’s popular web-based office applications, such as Google Docs and Google Sheets. This class will also discuss using Google Drive to store and organize files in the cloud. Prerequisite: Word 1. Preferred: A Google/Gmail account (bring your password!).
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Microsoft Publisher

Learn how to create publications such as flyers, brochures and newsletters. Prerequisite: Word 1.
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Virtual Classes

Microsoft Word

Introduction to Word

Learn how to enter and format text and images, change line spacing and copy and paste in Microsoft Word. Saving and printing tips will also be discussed.
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Word: Tables, Tab Stops and Images

Learn how to add organization and visual interest to your Word documents using tables and images. We will also learn to use tab stops to control the layout of text on the page.
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Word: Mail Merge

Learn how to use a list of contact information to quickly create letters, mailing labels and other documents in Microsoft Word.
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Word: Managing Documents

Learn how to apply advanced formatting features to documents in Word. We’ll discuss how to apply formatting styles, use page and section breaks, and insert a table of contents, headers, footers and page numbers to a document.
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Word: Advanced Tools

Explore advanced features of Word, including Track Changes, Comments and Footnotes. Learn how Microsoft generates different citation styles – such as MLA and APA – in your document.
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Microsoft Excel

Introduction to Excel: Part 1

In this class, we will tour the Excel interface; learn how to enter, autofill and format data; and review saving and printing tips.
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Introduction to Excel: Part 2

Continue learning some of the basic features in Excel. Topics covered will include number formats, sorting and filtering, moving and copying worksheets, and freezing panes.
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Excel: Data Visualization

Learn how to use tools to visualize your spreadsheet data. We’ll discuss how to insert and format charts and quickly highlight trends using conditional formatting rules.
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Excel: Formulas and Functions

Learn how to calculate and summarize spreadsheet data using formulas and functions in Excel. This class will review basic mathematical formulas as well as introduce a variety of popular functions, including text and summary functions.
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Excel: Advanced Functions

Learn how to evaluate and retrieve data using some of the logical and lookup functions available in Excel. This class will also discuss defining and using named ranges in a spreadsheet.
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Excel: Pivot Tables, Part 1

Learn how to use Pivot Tables to quickly analyze and summarize large amounts of information. In this introduction to Pivot Tables, we will discuss how to design and manage Pivot Tables, explore tips for setting up source data and learn how to summarize numerical, date and time data.
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Excel: Pivot Tables, Part 2

Continue learning Pivot Table features that help summarize and organize large sets of data. This class will discuss sorting, filtering, grouping and creating Pivot charts.
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Excel: Advanced Tools

Learn how to use advanced tools in Excel to manage and work with spreadsheet data. We’ll review how to apply data validation rules, convert data to a Table, use Paste Special options and work with multiple worksheets.
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Excel: Introduction to What-if Analysis

Learn how to use some of Excel’s data analysis tools, such as Goal Seek, Scenario Manager and Data Tables.
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Microsoft PowerPoint

Introduction to PowerPoint

Create a simple presentation and learn how to add text, images and transitions to slides.
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PowerPoint: Advanced Tools

Learn how take your presentation to the next level. Topics include using slide master and adding animations, hyperlinks, videos and sound.
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Microsoft Access

Introduction to Access

Explore database fundamentals in this introduction to Microsoft Access. Learn how to build a simple database, create tables and import existing data from Excel. We will also discuss how to establish relationships and create a simple query.
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Access: Queries

Learn how to calculate, retrieve and manage data in Access using queries. We will review how to build a simple query, explore different query types and learn how to create calculated fields.
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Other Classes

Introduction to Google Apps

Explore Google’s popular web-based applications Drive and Docs. We will discuss how to use Google Drive to store and organize files in the cloud, as well as how to create and share documents in Google Docs.
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Google Sheets

Learn how to enter, modify and organize data using Google’s free web-based spreadsheet application. We’ll also discuss filtering and sorting, inserting functions and formulas, and creating charts.
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Windows 11

Learn how to use the newest Windows operating system. Explore new features, including the redesigned Start Menu, Taskbar and File Explorer.
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Publisher Basics

Learn the basics of Microsoft Publisher by learning how to use objects to create flyers, newsletters and other types of documents.
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Introduction to Photoshop

Learn how to edit and manipulate images using basic Photoshop tools. Topics include cropping and rotating images, using color correction tools and working with layers.
Find a class.