Quick Start Guide for Office 365 Templates

Quick Guide: Using Book Design Templates in Microsoft Office 365 Online

Getting Started

  1. Upload the Template
    • Sign in to Office 365 and open Word Online
    • Upload the .DOCX template file to your OneDrive
    • Open the template in Word Online
  2. Enable Editing
    • Click "Edit Document" and select "Edit in Browser" to make changes
    • Note: Some advanced formatting features may require the desktop version

Essential Features

Using Styles

  • Access styles from the Home tab in the Styles gallery
  • Apply styles by highlighting text and clicking the desired style
  • Common styles include:
    • Body (for main text)
    • Chapter Title
    • Subheads (A and B levels)
    • Quotations

Section Breaks

  • Insert section breaks from Layout tab > Breaks > Section Break (Next Page)
  • Use section breaks between chapters
  • Note: Some section break types may not be available in the online version

Working with Images

  • Insert images via Insert tab > Pictures
  • Center images by selecting them and using the center alignment button
  • Avoid text wrapping in online version - keep images on their own lines
  • Recommended: Keep images simple and centered for best online compatibility

Headers and Footers

  • Double click in header/footer area to edit
  • Basic page numbers can be inserted
  • Keep headers/footers simple in online version

Key Limitations in Office 365 Online

  1. Limited Style Options
    • Some advanced style formatting may not be available
    • Stick to basic style applications
  2. Formatting Restrictions
    • Drop caps may not function properly
    • Complex text wrapping should be avoided
    • Some margin and spacing controls are limited
  3. Page Layout
    • View exact page breaks in "Reading View"
    • Some layout features work best in desktop version

Best Practices

  1. Keep It Simple
    • Focus on basic formatting
    • Use straightforward styles
    • Avoid complex layout features
  2. Regular Saving
    • Changes save automatically but make backup copies
    • Download important versions as .DOCX files
  3. Check Desktop Version
    • For advanced formatting needs
    • When preparing final files for publication

Final Steps

  1. Review Document
    • Check formatting in Reading View
    • Verify chapter breaks and pagination
    • Review all styles are correctly applied
  2. Export Options
    • Download as .DOCX for backup
    • Download as PDF for review
    • Share document as needed

Getting Help

Remember: Office 365 Online is best for basic editing and collaboration. For complex formatting and final preparation, consider using the desktop version of Word.

Creating Files for Publication in Office 365 Online

PDF Creation

  1. Using Built-in PDF Export
    • Click File > Download As > PDF Document
    • Note: This creates a basic PDF without advanced options
    • Best for: Initial reviews and basic documentation
  2. Limitations
    • Cannot create PDF/A compliant files directly
    • No advanced PDF optimization options
    • Limited control over PDF quality settings
    • Some formatting may not translate perfectly
  3. Best Practices for PDF Creation
    • Review the PDF thoroughly after creation
    • Check all formatting, especially:
      • Page breaks
      • Image placement
      • Headers and footers
      • Font embedding
    • For print publication: Download as .DOCX and use desktop Word for final PDF creation

eBook File Creation

  1. Preparing for eBook Conversion
    • Ensure all styles are correctly applied
    • Keep formatting simple and consistent
    • Remove any complex layout features
    • Save images in web-compatible formats
  2. Options for eBook Creation
    • Download as .DOCX and use:
      • Direct upload to vendors accepting .DOCX
      • Calibre or other conversion tools
    • Note: Direct ePub creation is not available in Office 365 Online
  3. Recommendations for Publication
    • Use vendor-direct .DOCX upload when available
    • For critical publications:
      • Download as .DOCX
      • Complete final formatting in desktop Word
      • Create publication files using recommended desktop tools

Important Notes

  • Many vendors now accept .DOCX files directly
  • Check your vendor's requirements before creating PDFs or ePubs
  • Consider downloading and using desktop Word for final publication files
  • Always validate final files before submission