Once we’ve returned to the office this summer, life may feel rather hectic. It may take time to readjust, and your team’s productivity will no doubt take a hit. Thankfully we have a selection of Microsoft Add ins that can easily make your life more productive.
Chances are you’ll enjoy using them so much, they may become a cornerstone of your IT team’s training. Or even become as important as maintaining good cybersecurity and keeping your files organised.
Woodpecker
This Microsoft Add In was originally designed to create templates within legal documents. Today it’s used by a range of industries for any Word doc. Letters, emails, proposals, and reports. If you’re regularly creating slightly varied versions of the same document, Woodpecker is your best friend. Simply highlight the areas that you want editable and set the areas you want to remain constant to uneditable.
DocuSign
All businesses need to regularly sign documents. And this Microsoft Add In will let you sign documents without leaving Microsoft Word. All you need to do is drag and drop the space for a signature to different areas of the document, leaving recipients to fill it with their signature.
FindTime
Scheduling made easy. This Outlook Add-In will show you where the optimum openings in your co-workers’ calendars are. You can view multiple slots, and everyone can vote on their ideal time. Basically, it saves you from sending a bunch of emails or visiting everyone’s desk just to get a consensus.
Polly
Getting a quick response from your team can be a nightmare. Especially in a hectic office. Polly, the Microsoft Teams Add In, lets you create a poll and get feedback from your team rapidly. At the very least it saves clogging up your inbox or overloading Microsoft Teams with notifications.
Boomerang
This Microsoft Add In can help fight the headache that email creates. It has a range of functions including the ability to schedule an email for a later date, an “inbox pause” capability, and the option for creating a visual grid that – similar to FindTime – can display your availability for the week.
Read My Document
Sometimes you need a second pair of eyes to read your work aloud and make sure it sounds right. But sometimes there’s nobody in the office around to help. Read My Document will make your computer read your documents to you. This works for a range of programs including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Template Phrases
If you find you’re using the same phrases in your emails over and over again, Template Phrases can throw them in with just a single click. If you reply to lots of emails on a daily basis this tool is guaranteed to save you time. The more you get to know your technology, the more it’ll look after you. In a sense, treat your technology as you would an employee: with care and constant consideration. The Cloud has a world of benefits to offer your business beyond Microsoft Add ins and Microsoft 365.