Most Used Microsoft Apps: A Complete Guide

Microsoft is a global productivity platform that offers tools like Windows, Azure, Office, and Teams. These tools power businesses, communication, and education. It helps drive global innovation and connectivity.

In this guide, you’ll discover the most used Microsoft apps, what Microsoft AppSource is, how it works, and how to use it.

Table of Contents:

1. What are the Most Used Microsoft Apps?
2. What is Microsoft AppSource?
3. How Microsoft AppSource Works?
4. How to Use Microsoft AppSource?
5. How to Visualize Data in Power BI?
6. Wrap Up

First…

What are the Most Used Microsoft Apps?

The most used Microsoft apps span across multiple categories, from communication to productivity and development tools. These are some of the most used Microsoft apps.

Microsoft Office Suite

• Word: It’s used for document creation and word processing.
• PowerPoint: Used for creating presentations.
• Excel: It’s the best fit for spreadsheets, data analysis, and charts.
• Outlook: Used for calendar scheduling and email management.

Examples of Microsoft Excel Charts

• Mosaic plot

• Horizontal Waterfall Chart

• Stacked Waterfall Chart

• Multi-Axis Spider Chart

• Circular Org Chart

• Progress Circle Chart

• Gauge Chart

• Funnel Chart

1. Microsoft Teams

It’s a collaboration and communication platform that integrates video meetings, chats, app integration, and file storage. It’s a great fit for companies that are embracing remote work.

2. OneDrive

It’s a cloud storage service that allows users to store files and access them from any device. It can integrate with other Microsoft apps like Excel and Word.

3. Microsoft Edge

It’s a Microsoft web browser and the default browser on the Windows operating system.

4. Microsoft Azure

It’s a cloud computing service used for building, deploying, testing, and managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers.

5. Visual Studio

It’s an integrated development environment (IDE) used by developers to create websites, applications, and services.

6. SharePoint

It’s a web-based collaboration platform that integrates with Microsoft Office. It’s best used for document management and storage systems.

7. Microsoft 365

It’s a subscription service that includes the Office Suite, OneDrive, Teams, and other productivity tools. It’s the best fit for businesses and educational institutions.

8. Power BI

It’s a business analytics service that’s designed with a simple interface, and it offers business intelligence capabilities and interactive data visualizations.

Examples of Power BI Charts

• Sankey Diagram

• Comparison Bar Chart

• Multi-Axis Line Chart

• Likert Scale Chart

9. Microsoft Planner

It’s a task management tool that integrates with Outlook, Teams, and other office apps. It’s also used for project management, helping teams track progress and align with KPIs for project management.

What is Microsoft AppSource?

Definition: Apple offers apps to millions of people through their Apple app store. It’s where you can download and use various types of apps for personal (or business) use. Software vendors, Microsoft partners, and developers can reach a wide range of customers in various industries by publishing their apps on the AppSource.

How Microsoft AppSource Works?

• Browsing and Searching

As a user, you can search for apps, extensions, or add-ins using keywords, industries, or categories.

• App Listings

Each listed app comes with a detailed description, user reviews, pricing information, ratings, and screenshots. The listings also show the Microsoft products the app can integrate with. It could be Power BI, Azure, Office 365, or Dynamics 365. Many apps come with free trials that allow users to test the software before committing to a purchase.

• Installation and Integration

Users can install add-ins or apps directly from AppSource to their Microsoft environment. And it can be done with just a few clicks. These apps are designed to smoothly integrate with Microsoft products, and that enhances functionality and provides additional features without disrupting existing workflows.

• Customization

Apps in AppSource can be customized to meet specific business needs. There are apps that are supported by Microsoft partners, and this helps provide additional customization, support, and implementation services.

• Subscription and Purchase

Depending on the developer’s pricing model, apps can be free, subscription-based, or one-time purchases. App subscriptions and purchases can be managed with the user’s Microsoft account.

• Updates and Support

App updates are received directly through the Microsoft AppSource. This enables users to access the latest features and security enhancements. App support could be community forums, direct support from the app’s developer, or documentation.

How to Use Microsoft AppSource?

• Access Microsoft AppSource

Visit the Microsoft AppSource or use products like Power BI, Office 365, or Dynamics 365.

• Search for Apps

Using the search bar, find or browse apps by industries, categories, or product types. You can narrow down your options with the filter feature.

• Explore App Details

View the app description, pricing, features, and user reviews.

• Purchase or Try an App

Start a free trial or purchase the app by clicking “Get It Now.” After that, sign into your Microsoft account and follow the installation prompts.

• Install the App

The app will be installed on your device.

• Use and Configure the App

Launch the app, and configure settings to start using the app.

• Get Support

To get support, access documentation, or contact the developer.

How to Visualize Data in Power BI?

Stage 1: Logging in to Power BI

• Log in to Power BI.
• Enter your email address and click the “Submit” button.

• You are redirected to your Microsoft account.
• Enter your password and click “Sign in“.

• You can choose whether to stay signed in.

• Once done, the Power BI home screen will open.

Stage 2: Creating a Data Set and Selecting the Data Set to Use in Your Chart

• Go to the left-side menu and click the “Create” button.
• Select “Paste or manually enter data“.

• We’ll use the sample data below for this example.

Application Channels	Initial Screening	Conduct Interviews	Employee Onboarding	Total Candidates
Social Media	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	32
Social Media	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	400
Social Media	Short Listed	Knocked Out		800
Social Media	Knocked Out			1100
Company Career Page	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	20
Company Career Page	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	250
Company Career Page	Short Listed	Knocked Out		500
Company Career Page	Knocked Out			900
Events	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	5
Events	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	100
Events	Short Listed	Knocked Out		200
Events	Knocked Out			350
Paper Media	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	3
Paper Media	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	80
Paper Media	Short Listed	Knocked Out		135
Paper Media	Knocked Out			700
Employee Referrals	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	10
Employee Referrals	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	70
Employee Referrals	Short Listed	Knocked Out		80
Employee Referrals	Knocked Out			110
Direct	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	25
Direct	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	150
Direct	Short Listed	Knocked Out		425
Direct	Knocked Out			600

• Paste the data table above into the “Power Query” window. After that, select the “Create a dataset only” option.

• Navigate to the left-side menu, and click on the “Data Hub” option. Power BI will populate the data set list. You’ll get an error message if no data set has been created.

• Click on the “Create report” dropdown.

• To add the Power BI Sankey Diagram Extension by ChartExpo, you’ll have to use an add-in or the Power BI visual from AppSource. Navigate to the right side of the Power BI dashboard, and open the Power BI Visualization panel. Next, click on the ellipsis symbol (…) to import the Power BI Sankey Diagram extension by ChartExpo. In the menu that opens, select the “Get more visuals” option.

• In the window that opens, enter “ChartExpo” in the highlighted search box. You’ll see “Sankey Diagram for Power BI by ChartExpo” similar to the one shown in the image below.

• Click on the Sankey Diagram. Next, click on the highlighted “Add” button.

• The “Sankey Diagram for Power BI by ChartExpo” icon will be added by Power BI in the visualization panel.

• To draw a Sankey Diagram with ChartExpo’s Power BI extension, you’ll have to select the “Sankey Diagram for Power BI by ChartExpo” icon in the visualization panel. After that, you’ll see the report section displayed on your dashboard.

• Select the fields to use in the Sankey Chart.

• Follow the sequence below when selecting the fields:
• • Application Channels
  • Initial Screening
  • Conduct Interviews
  • Employee Onboarding
  • Total Candidates
• You’ll have to provide your email address or a ChartExpo license key. Add the key under the Visual section.

• After that, the Sankey Chart will be displayed on your screen. There’s the option to add the top header text in the chart under the General section:

• Click on Visual to set the number. You should also enable the options as shown below:

• You can change the “Node Font Style.”

• You can also change the “Level Font Style.”

• Here’s how to see the Level Labels.

• The following step below shows you how to change the Nodes color.

• You’ve seen “How to change Level 1 color.” Follow the same steps to change the Nodes color of the other levels.

• After changing the all-nodes color, here’s what the HR Dashboard in Power BI using ChartExpo will look like:

Insights

• Social Media is the primary application channel with the highest number of candidates (1100).
• With 900 candidates, the Company’s Career Page has the second-highest number of candidates.
• Paper Media and Events have comparatively lower candidate counts of 700 and 350, respectively.
• Direct applications have 600 candidates.

FAQs

How do Microsoft Apps Support Data Analysis and Visualization?

Microsoft apps like Power BI, Excel, and Azure offer powerful tools used for data analysis and visualization. This enables users to create dashboards, charts, and models used for interpreting complex data.

What are the Best Microsoft Apps for Handling Large Datasets?

Power BI, Excel, and Azure Synapse Analytics are the best Microsoft apps for handling large datasets.

How can I integrate Microsoft Power BI with Other Microsoft Apps?

You can integrate Microsoft Power BI with other Microsoft apps like Teams, Azure, and Excel by embedding reports, connecting data sources, and using Power Automate for workflows. This will enable you to share insights across platforms.

Wrap Up

Most used Microsoft’s apps include Word, Teams, Excel, and Azure. The Microsoft AppSource is a marketplace where you can discover and acquire apps that enhance Microsoft products.

To get the most out of the Microsoft AppSource, you should search for apps, extensions, or add-ins using keywords, industries, categories, or the name of the specific Microsoft product you want.

Installation is easy and straightforward. You can do that with just a few clicks. Installed apps are designed to integrate smoothly with other Microsoft products. Apps can be free, subscription-based, or one-time purchases — and it all depends on the developer’s pricing model.

One of the most used Microsoft’s apps is the Power BI. And it is used to create interactive visualizations.

Aside from the Power BI, what other Microsoft’s most used app will you be installing into your device?