Quick take
Choosing a business office course textbook comes down to two questions: which Office version does your course or workplace use, and how much hands-on study do you want from a physical book? The four listings here span Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft 365 with Access 2021. Listed prices run from $3.88 for a used New Perspectives Office 2013 spiral to $145.35 for a hardcover Office 2010 Introductory text, with the Microsoft 365 & Access 2021 title listed at $64.00. That spread means the best pick is less about one universal winner and more about matching software version, condition, and format to the way you study.
Listed-price comparison
Here is how the four listed prices compare. The bar gives a visual sense of the price positioning within this set.
| Product | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Illustrated Microsoft Office 2013 Introductory (spiral) | USD 8.55 | |
| Microsoft Office 2010 Introductory (hardcover) | USD 145.35 | |
| New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2013 (spiral) | USD 3.88 | |
| Microsoft Office 365 & Access 2021 Comprehensive (paperback) | USD 64.00 |
Decision matrix
The table below maps common study situations to the strongest match.
| Study situation | Best match | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You are in an Office 2010 course or workplace | Microsoft Office 2010 Introductory: First Course (Hardcover) | The book's contents and title align to Office 2010. |
| You need the lowest listed price in this set | New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2013, First Course | It is listed at the low end of the four prices and provides spiral-bound Office 2013 lessons. |
| You want the Microsoft 365/Access 2021 track | Microsoft Office 365 & Access 2021 Comprehensive | The trade paperback is listed as Like New and covers that title's Access 2021 scope. |
| You prefer screen-by-screen Office 2013 training | Illustrated Microsoft Office 2013 Introductory | The Illustrated Series format pairs step-by-step instructions with screenshots. |
Product notes
Illustrated Microsoft Office 2013 Introductory, First Course (Spiral-bound)
This spiral-bound edition from the Illustrated Series uses a step-by-step format for Office 2013, and its scope extends through Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint practice. The visual, screen-by-screen layout is a practical fit for learners who want to follow along at a computer. It is one of two Office 2013 options here, so it works well for a course built around that version. The condition is listed as Acceptable, which is a real trade-off for a textbook that will get daily handling. Choose this copy when the illustrated teaching style matters more than having a pristine book.
Microsoft Office 2010 Introductory: First Course (Hardcover)
This hardcover Office 2010 textbook bundles Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint training into a single Introductory First Course volume. The Good condition is a plus for a reference book that is likely to be opened repeatedly during a business office course, and the listed format is Hardcover. The main limitation is that this is the highest listed price in the group, so the price is considerable. Because the text is tied to Office 2010, it is the clearest match for a course or workplace that still runs that version.
New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2013, First Course (Spiral-bound)
New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2013, First Course is a spiral-bound textbook centered on Office 2013, and the listing credits Ann Shaffer as the author. The Good condition makes it a serviceable study copy, especially as a printed workbook for following the lessons. The printed-book focus is the real trade-off: the listing notes that supplemental items such as CDs or access codes may not be included. If your business office course depends on a bundled media component, this copy may not supply that part. For a learner who just needs the physical text and is willing to work through the lessons directly, the Office 2013 material is still the center of the book.
Microsoft Office 365 & Access 2021 Comprehensive (Trade Paperback)
This trade paperback comes from the MindTap Course List series and is listed as Like New, with an intended audience of adult and further education learners. The title targets Microsoft Office 365 and Access 2021, making it the Office 365/Access option among the four books. It is also the only book in this set with 352 pages and a comprehensive Access focus, which is useful for a course that spends significant time on database work. The practical limitation is that the physical textbook is sold without access codes, MindTap, or online resources. That is fine if you want the printed lessons on their own, but a student who needs the digital component would have to consider that separately.
Final recommendation by use case
For an Office 2010 course, the Microsoft Office 2010 Introductory hardcover is the most specific match, but it asks for the highest listed price in the set. For Office 2013, choose the New Perspectives spiral when the lowest listed price is your priority and you can work with the printed text alone; choose the Illustrated spiral when the screen-by-screen training style and spiral format fit your study routine and you can accept an Acceptable-condition copy. For Microsoft 365 and Access 2021, the Microsoft Office 365 & Access 2021 Comprehensive trade paperback gives you Like New condition and comprehensive 352-page coverage, though the digital resources are not included. Pick the version your course or workplace actually runs, then weigh condition and format from there.
