MADISON COUNTY – With online classes now available, Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is fulfilling its goals to help individuals explore ideas and connect with the community.

The library offers more than 260 free computer classes each year. Space for students is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Classes use the Go To Meeting app. If the student’s computer does not have the app, the software will prompt to download when the student joins the first class. A few days before the class, the student will receive two separate emails with an invitation link and class materials.

Three of the current offerings cover Microsoft products.

The Word Online 1 class will open on Jan. 13 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. This session is Part 1 of a three-part class, and additional sessions are scheduled for Jan. 20 and Jan. 27. Individuals should register for all three classes at https://hmcpl.libnet.info/event/4752133?registration=true.

Students in Word 1 class will prepare documents with a focus on text, paragraphs and formatting. The course will explain steps to insert photos and shapes, along with basic copy-and-paste techniques. To take this class, the student should have mastered skills in Basic PC Skills 2.

The Excel Online 1 class will open on Jan. 7 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. This session is Part 1 of a three-part course with additional classes scheduled for Jan. 14 and Jan. 21. The student will register for all three classes at https://events.hmcpl.org/event/4752156.

Concentrating on basic skills, the Excel Online 1 class will explain basic, necessary skills to create an Excel workbook. Instructions will include layout, cell formatting and basic formulas. To take this class, the student should have mastered the Basic PC Skills 2.

The class for Advanced Excel Online: Logic and Time Functions will open on Jan. 28 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Students should have completed the Excel 1, 2 and 3 courses with Huntsville-Madison County Public Library or have developed thorough knowledge of basic skills in Excel.

This advanced Excel class will look at how to use Logic functions with emphasis on the “AND” and “OR” functions and the steps to use these tools in real-world practice. Then, the class will look at “Time” functions and how to use these to work with time frames in Excel.

The student must complete any class prerequisites within the past 18 months before that class.

For more information, call 256-461-0046, email madison@hmcpl.org or visit madison@hmcpl.org.