Hiring new techs is expensive. Training them is even more time-consuming. Most MSPs end up assigning a senior tech to “show them around” and waste hours walking them through Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams—even though these tools are basic. But there’s a faster, cheaper way to upskill your team. Free Microsoft Office training certification programs let MSPs build foundational knowledge in-house—without paying for every course or sending people offsite.
What Is Free Microsoft Office Training Certification?
It’s official Microsoft-approved training content available online, mostly at no cost. Users go through structured lessons, learn how to use Microsoft Office apps, and prepare for exams like Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS).
Some programs are fully free. Others give free training but charge for the exam. Either way, they’re much cheaper than traditional bootcamps or third-party trainers.
Microsoft itself offers the Microsoft Learn platform, which has dozens of role-based learning paths, including for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.
Why MSPs Should Care About Free Training Certifications
1. Speeds Up Onboarding
New techs waste time asking how to format documents, adjust Excel formulas, or set up shared OneDrive folders. That time could go toward learning your systems.
Free training certs let them get up to speed before their first client call. They learn the basics without slowing down the rest of your team.
2. Standardizes Team Knowledge
Not everyone learns Microsoft Office the same way. Some skip features. Others rely on shortcuts. That inconsistency shows when clients ask questions—and your techs give different answers.
Certifications force a baseline. Your team gets aligned on how Microsoft expects users to work with their tools.
3. Reduces Support Time for Client Issues
Many support tickets are simple Office misunderstandings. A user doesn’t know how to insert a formula. Or can’t find the track changes button in Word.
When your team knows the answer offhand—or can send a quick training video—it closes the ticket faster.
4. Adds a Trust Signal
When you say your team is Microsoft-certified, it sticks. Clients assume deeper knowledge. They trust your advice more. And they’re more likely to take your recommendations on new licensing, migrations, or upgrades.
How can I get Microsoft Office Specialist training for free?
Use Microsoft Learn for official learning paths. Platforms like GCFGlobal and Coursera (audit mode) also offer free Office courses. Some public libraries and state programs provide vouchers or access to paid courses for free.
Is the Microsoft Office certification free?
The training can be free, but the exam usually isn’t. Microsoft Office Specialist exams cost around $100, though some workforce programs or schools offer discounts or vouchers.
What are the best free Microsoft Office certification programs?
Start with Microsoft Learn. It’s updated often, works directly with Microsoft’s curriculum, and includes labs and quizzes. Pair that with GCFGlobal’s free tutorials for simpler walkthroughs of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint basics.
Do these free certifications matter for MSPs?
Yes. They show clients your team has a base-level skill set. They also cut training time and support costs. Even if not every tech takes the exam, going through the training is useful on its own.
When Free Makes More Sense Than Paid
Some MSPs pay for training bundles without checking the content first. They end up buying outdated videos, bloated courses, or platforms that lock into long-term contracts.
Here’s when free training makes more sense:
- For new hires in their first 30 days
- For interns or entry-level support roles
- When building internal SOPs or documentation
- When experimenting before rolling out paid training org-wide
You save budget while still improving the team’s knowledge.
What Free Training Covers (And What It Doesn’t)
Free Microsoft training usually covers:
- Word: formatting, styles, mail merge, comments
- Excel: formulas, charts, conditional formatting
- PowerPoint: layouts, transitions, speaker notes
- Outlook: rules, signatures, shared calendars
- Teams: meetings, file sharing, permissions
It doesn’t always cover:
- Admin panel tasks
- Advanced Power BI
- Deep SharePoint setups
- Custom scripting or macros
That’s where more specialized training or tools like ClipTraining come in.
ClipTraining Helps MSPs Go Beyond Just Free
Free is a good starting point. But once you’ve built the base, MSPs need more control, faster access, and real tracking.
That’s where ClipTraining fits in.
We offer:
- Task-based Office 365 training (short 3–5 min videos)
- Certification prep mapped to Microsoft standards
- Usage tracking to see who’s learning
- White-label support to train your clients under your brand
- Always-updated content, no manual upkeep needed
Techs learn fast. Clients get fewer delays. And your team gets certified without needing expensive live sessions.
Book a demo to see how you can combine free training with a managed training solution that works for MSPs.