{"id":8320,"date":"2018-10-22T14:51:36","date_gmt":"2018-10-22T14:51:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.investintech.com\/resources\/blog\/?p=8320"},"modified":"2019-09-16T11:02:26","modified_gmt":"2019-09-16T11:02:26","slug":"ms-office-productivity-plugins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.investintech.com\/resources\/blog\/archives\/8320-ms-office-productivity-plugins.html","title":{"rendered":"Content Creator\u2019s Toolbox: Top 12 MS Office Productivity Plugins"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Computer<\/a><\/p>\n

Productivity has an altogether different meaning today than it did ten years ago, let alone five. It doesn\u2019t mean just getting things done anymore — it means being able to get more complex things done in the same amount of time. This is especially true for content creators.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a blogger, freelance writer, analyst, presenter or online marketer, then creating content in MS Office is your bread and butter. It requires meeting tight deadlines and turning over projects quickly. Productivity-wise, it means your workflow and tools have to keep up. <\/span><\/p>\n

One problem, though. The plugins that worked before won\u2019t work effectively now. With the complexity of digital tasks increasing, you need a better list. <\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we put together a super collection of 12 productivity plugins for taking your work to the next level.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note: <\/b>Using any of these plugins requires an account with MS Office and in some cases an account with the plugin\u2019s website, as well. To install add-ins, click on <\/span>My Add-ins<\/b> from the <\/span>Insert<\/b> menu. A window will appear that will display your options. Double-clicking an add-in will open it. Or you can click on the arrow next to the button and you can pick one of your recently-used add-ins from there.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Plugins For MS Word <\/b><\/h2>\n

Working in Word is all about content creation and document management. The following plugins will get you ahead of the game and working more efficiently. <\/span><\/p>\n

Curly<\/b><\/p>\n

Can\u2019t find the right template? <\/span>Curly<\/span><\/a> can help. Once installed, this plugin allows you to create a template out of your own documents so that the templates you create are exactly what you need. The plugin will open a side panel where you can create your template by creating placeholders for your text. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dictate<\/b><\/p>\n

With <\/span>Dictate<\/span><\/a> your productivity level increases with the app because you don\u2019t even have to be at a keyboard to create your documents. You can dictate your content into MS Word. As you start talking, your text automatically appears on the page. Perfect for working on the go or multitasking when you\u2019re on a tight schedule. <\/span><\/p>\n

Pixabay Images<\/b><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a must-have: Pixabay Images. If you\u2019ve ever created a blog post, then you know all about adding images in. Pixabay has some awesome photographers and graphic artists uploading their photos under the Creative Commons CC0 license. Simply use the <\/span>Pixabay Images<\/span><\/a> side panel and insert your image with one click without leaving MS Word. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Pixelbay<\/a><\/p>\n

DocSync 365<\/b><\/p>\n

If you create content that relies on numbers in Excel, this is one plugin you need to check out. <\/span>DocSync 365<\/span><\/a> connects Excel data with content in Word, keeping both instances updated. The aim is to help cut down on the time needed to update content across both files. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sorc\u2019d<\/b><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re referencing material in your content, you don\u2019t have to fuss about it when you can have <\/span>Sorc\u2019d<\/span><\/a> pull your collected research material for you into your documents. This plugin requires an account to be created with the service, from which you can paste it in your content. It works very much like a citation tool with sticky note capabilities. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Plugins For<\/b> MS PowerPoint <\/b><\/h2>\n

Despite the extent to which video, images, and social media are being used nowadays, nothing beats a good ol\u2019 PowerPoint slide deck to present your content. These plugins are aimed at \u00a0making your work with presentations just as easy as it is with social networks. <\/span><\/p>\n

Scan&Paste for Office 365 <\/b><\/p>\n

This free app lets you use your phone to scan a picture into PowerPoint slides with your phone. It\u2019s as easy as snapping a QR code with your phone and inserting the photo through the <\/span>Scan&Paste<\/span><\/a> tab as you would any other image. No account is needed for personal accounts, but you can sign up for a <\/span>Scan&Paste business account<\/span><\/a> if needed. Data is deleted from their servers after 7 days.<\/span><\/p>\n