These 'for dummies' guides are great aids to complete novices and inexperienced users of microsoft software packages. They are laid out in a helpful way (the author of this volume, and the word edition, have little symbols in the margin to highlight really important stuff) and they are written in very informal, plain English, so that they are very easy to understand. The author suggests that you shouldn't attempt to read this guide like a book, but instead should use it in the way you would use a dictionary (as a reference book when you are stuck with something, or want to see how to liven up a presentation)and used in this way, this book is brilliant. An index at the back covers every topic I needed advice on, and all in all, the money this item cost (14.99) was money well spent.