Microsoft OneDrive

 Making Collaboration Easier 

Did you know that Prince George’s Community College has purchased Microsoft OneDrive for all faculty and staff? So, what is it and why should you use it? In this short article, we’ll answer these questions and more. 

 

What is Microsoft OneDrive? 

Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud-based storage service provided by Microsoft. It allows users to store files and data in the cloud, making them easily accessible from various devices with an internet connection. OneDrive is integrated with Microsoft Office applications, so it provides a seamless experience for creating, editing, and collaborating on documents, spreadsheets, and more. Each PGCC account has 1 TB of storage space! For those of us that aren’t techies, I’ve been told that this is a lot of space! 😊 

 

What are some Benefits of Microsoft OneDrive? 

Automatic Backup 

OneDrive automatically backs up files and folders, so when you forget to hit save or have a computer problem, your work isn’t lost.   

 

Sharing Options  

OneDrive makes it easy to share files and folders with others. You can set permissions, control who can view or edit documents, and generate shareable links. This can limit sending attachments via email, making it easier for people to find and access documents later. 

 

Collaboration  

OneDrive makes it easy for multiple users to collaborate on the same document at the same time. This helps to streamline communication and ensures everyone has access to the latest version. So, while in a meeting we can screen share the document and make changes, add comments, and more simultaneously. No more sharing files via email and hoping that everyone is looking at the latest version. 

File Accessibility 

OneDrive allows you to access your files from any device with an internet connection. This ensures that your documents, photos, and other files are always within reach, whether you're using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. So, you can work from anywhere. Hmm, not sure if this is a benefit. 😊 

 

Integration with Microsoft Office  

OneDrive works with Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This allows for easy editing and saving of documents directly from these applications to OneDrive. 

 

Offline Access 

OneDrive allows you to mark files and folders for offline access, ensuring that you can view and edit documents even when you don't have an internet connection. Changes made offline are synchronized when the device reconnects. 

 

With all these benefits, hopefully you see the advantage of using Microsoft OneDrive to store and share documents. Read this knowledge article to learn more about OneDrive and how to access it.  If you have questions, feel free to send an email to elearning@pgcc.edu