MICROSOFT OFFICE 2000 8-1 STEP BY STEP instructs the beginning to advanced user on getting the most out of this popular suite of business applications. The personal training system offers easy-to-follow lessons that include clear objectives and real-world examples. Users can learn exactly what they need to know, at their own pace. Each volume consists of approximately eight hours of instruction with dozens of screen shots and illustrations. A companion CD is included with practice files tightly integrated with the lessons. Other features include a "QuickLook Guide" for easy visual navigation and "Finding the Best Starting Point for You" to help users get the most out of the book. A special binding stays flat when the book is open.

In trying to keep the needs of every user in mind, this book might intimidate the novice and yet go too slowly for the power user. In comprehensively touring the eight main programs in the Office package, it may be best suited to intermediate users.

Anywhere from two to five lessons on each application explain usage, including tutorials that show you how to design business cards or schedule meetings. As part of a training program, this would make for a pretty good reference book since each lesson ends with a table of quick explanations for performing the tasks you've just learned.

Microsoft Office 2000 8-in-1 Step by Step comes with a CD-ROM containing examples and multimedia walkthroughs for many of the lessons valuable to "hands-on" learners. Between the lessons, the diagrams, and the information in the book, you should be able to master Office with some patience and diligence. Of course, this is a Microsoft book, so if you're looking for bug reports or unofficial tips and tricks, you'll have to try elsewhere. But if a no-questions-asked tutorial and reference is good enough for you, there's nothing better. --Rob Lightner