Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Optimizing My Productivity with Microsoft 365: A Revelatory Experience

Last month, I decided to conduct a thorough test of Microsoft 365 by downloading OneDrive on my main computer, an additional device, and my mobile phone. The experience has been, without a doubt, exceptional, as it has provided an efficient way to consistently organize my files across all my devices.

The ability to access and update documents seamlessly, regardless of the device I'm using, has proven to be an invaluable tool in boosting my productivity. For instance, the ability to view a document on my mobile when my computer is not available and then continue working on the same document when I return to my computer is a functionality that, until now, I had not found in other office suites, such as LibreOffice.

Although LibreOffice is a valid option, the utility and integration that Microsoft 365 offers are incomparable. After a month of testing, with a focus on the utilities of Word and, especially, Excel, which I frequently use in my work, I have made the decision to exclusively adopt the Microsoft suite. Currently, I subscribe to the personal version for €69 per year, which averages a monthly expense of 5.5 euros. I passionately believe that this cost is more than justified by the smoothness and effectiveness it brings to my daily work.

An additional revelation I experienced when migrating to Microsoft 365 was the improvement in managing my emails. When checking my Gmail account in Outlook, I discovered emails that I had surprisingly never seen before, which turned out to be important at the time. It seems that Gmail had categorized them in such a way that they went unnoticed. This integration between Outlook and OneDrive has been a positive change in my daily routine.

Furthermore, I have decided to review and reduce subscriptions to emails from various websites, as I noticed the saturation of messages I received daily. This adjustment will allow me to focus on what truly matters and avoid the accumulation of non-essential information.

Currently, I am using the web version of Word, and a feature that has truly surprised me is the ability to work in dark mode. This functionality is not only aesthetically pleasing but also contributes to a more comfortable user experience, especially during long work sessions.

So, those who can afford the transition to Microsoft 365 will find a set of tools that not only enhance productivity but also offer seamless integration between applications and efficient data management. Personally, I am delighted with this transition and am confident that it will continue to enhance my effectiveness in daily work.

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