Choosing among business office course books is harder than it sounds because the titles span very different versions of Microsoft Office. Do you invest in a current Office 365 course, or save money on an older spiral-bound guide that covers the fundamentals? The right choice depends on the Office version you actually use and whether you need a broad introduction or deep Excel practice.
Quick Take
The four course guides here span a price range from just over $25 to roughly $66. At the top sits a brand-new hardcover for Office 365 Level 1 (2019 Edition). At the bottom, two good-condition introductory guides cover Office 2003 and Office 2000. A fourth title focuses on advanced Excel 2003 in acceptable condition. If you need to use current Office 365 applications, the newer hardcover is the only one that reflects that environment. If you just need to learn core Office skills on older software, the budget spiral-bound books are much cheaper.
Listed Prices at a Glance
| Product | Listed Price | Format & Condition | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Microsoft Office 365 Level 1 2019 Edition Neilsen Wiexel Wempen | USD 66.53 | Hardcover, Brand New | |
| New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2003, First Course, Second Edition | USD 25.27 | Spiral, Good | |
| Microsoft Office 2000 - Introductory Concepts and Techniques (Enhanced Edition | USD 25.15 | Spiral-bound, Good | |
| Microsoft Office Excel 2003: Advanced (Illustrated Course Guides) - Wermers | USD 28.05 | Spiral, Acceptable |
Which Book Matches Your Situation?
- If you are learning in a current Office 365 / Office 2019 environment and want a clean, brand-new reference, the Office 365 Level 1 book matches that setup.
- If you want a broad, affordable introduction to Microsoft Office and do not need the newest software, the Office 2003 First Course is a good-condition spiral guide.
- If your only goal is to spend the least money and you are comfortable with an older Office generation, the Office 2000 Introduction is the lowest-priced option.
- If your project is Excel-specific and you need advanced coverage, the Excel 2003 Advanced guide is the one that goes beyond introductory material.
Product Notes
Learning Microsoft Office 365 Level 1 2019 Edition Neilsen Wiexel Wempen
At $66.53, this is the most expensive of the four, but it's also the only one offered as a brand-new hardcover. Its title signals that it's built for Office 365 Level 1, which makes it the practical choice if you are working with a current Office 365 subscription or Office 2019. The "New Edition" label means you're getting a recent update of the material, and the hardcover format is ideal for a reference that will stay open on a desk. The main limitation is the price: it's the highest of the four by a clear margin. Also, because it's Level 1, it focuses on introductory skills rather than advanced techniques.
New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2003, First Course, Second Edition
This spiral-bound book is priced at $25.27 and listed in good condition. If you want a low-cost way to work through first-course Office material, this guide covers the core applications without the expense of a brand-new textbook. It may show normal signs of use, such as light writing, highlighting, or library markings, but the pages are intact, meaning it should still function as a study resource. The biggest limitation is the software version: it's for Office 2003, so your learning applies to an older interface and file format. If you're preparing for work that uses current Office 365, this might not line up with what you need.
Microsoft Office 2000 - Introductory Concepts and Techniques (Enhanced Edition
The least expensive option here is this $25.15 enhanced edition, spiral-bound and in good condition. It covers introductory Office 2000 skills and was published in 2001. The Enhanced Edition label points to a version with additional instructional content beyond a base textbook. If your goal is simply to learn foundational Office concepts and you don't care about the specific version, this is the lowest financial commitment. The flip side is that Office 2000 is the oldest version in this group, so the skills you pick up will reflect a much earlier generation of the software. It's also a spiral-bound format, which is different from the hardcover of the Office 365 title.
Microsoft Office Excel 2003: Advanced (Illustrated Course Guides) - Wermers
This Excel-specific guide is listed at $28.05 and is in acceptable condition, which means it shows noticeable wear but remains usable. Unlike the other three books, this one zeroes in on a single application rather than covering Office as a whole. The word "Advanced" in the title indicates it's aimed at learners who already have some Excel background and want to take their spreadsheet skills further. The trade-offs: it's built for Excel 2003, so it won't help you with other Office apps, and the acceptable condition could include creased covers, folded page corners, or minor stains. If your project is Excel-focused and you can tolerate a worn copy, this is the only advanced option in the lineup.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
So, which one should you pick? If you are working with Office 365 or Office 2019 and want a clean, brand-new course, the Office 365 Level 1 book is the clear match. If you need a general Office overview on a budget, the Office 2003 First Course gives you a good-condition spiral guide for far less money. The Office 2000 Introduction is the cheapest of the four, but you'll be learning a much older version. And if Excel is the only application you care about, the Excel 2003 Advanced guide is the one that goes beyond introductory skills, even though the copy shows wear.
