Seattle Public Schools

Support, Training, and Forms

Office

Office 365 for Student and Staff

Through an enterprise agreement with Microsoft, Seattle Public Schools is now able to provide Office 365 services to students and staff. Office 365 is constantly being updated. Click here to learn more about Microsoft’s Office 365 roadmap. See below for the Office 365 services available to students and staff.

Email and Teams

For Student: Email and Teams

In 2020, the district enabled student email accounts and the online meeting tool Microsoft Teams. These changes will help improve communications, user experience, and security for students and teachers. Read more about email for students.

For Staff: Microsoft Teams

Staff now have access to Microsoft Teams, a tool that allows you to connect and collaborate with your colleagues. Learn more about Microsoft Teams (staff login required).

OneDrive for Business

SPS students and staff now have access to Microsoft OneDrive for Business, powered by Office 365. OneDrive for Business makes it easy to collaborate on MS Office documents. OneDrive for Business also features 1 TB of file storage for each individual with an account. Some benefits of OneDrive for Business include:

  • Real-time collaboration editing documents using the online Office Web Apps or Office desktop client apps
  • Sharing files with others and managing who can edit documents
  • Accessing the same files via a phone, tablet or computer away from the office

OneDrive for Business for students and staff: Collaborate with colleagues and share documents online. To get to Office 365, enter onedrive.wxhl.org in a web browser. Log in by entering your SPS username@wxhl.org and SPS password.

Office ProPlus

As part of Seattle Public Schools’ enterprise agreement with Microsoft, eligible SPS students, teachers and staff have free access to download and install Office ProPlus, powered by Office 365, on their personal/home devices. All students and employees may download and install the latest, full version of Office ProPlus software on up to five of their personal devices (computers, tablets or phones) with Windows, iOS, or Android operating systems.

Office ProPlus for students and staff can download the latest version of Microsoft Office on up to 5 personal devices.

Office FAQ

How can I access OneDrive for Business?

You can access your OneDrive for Business account through a web browser on any device by visiting onedrive.wxhl.org. Log in using your SPS username@wxhl.org and password.

On mobile devices, there are several options to access OneDrive for Business:

  • Any web browser on the device 
  • OneDrive for Business app for iPhone and iPad with read-only access.
  • Microsoft Office Mobile app for iPhone with the ability to edit, open and create files.
  • Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint individual apps for iPad with read-only access.
  • Microsoft Office Mobile app for Android with the ability to create, open, edit and save files

Is OneDrive for Business a replacement for the H drive?

No. OneDrive for Business is not a replacement for your H drive. 

Can I access my OneDrive for Business documents from home?

Yes. Documents saved to your OneDrive for Business account can be accessed anywhere through a web browser or on your mobile device.

Does OneDrive for Business allow for external sharing?

Yes, OneDrive for Business allows you to share files with people outside the District. Please be mindful of who you are sharing files with and ensure they have a valid business reason to see that data.

How large files can I upload to OneDrive?

When using OneDrive in the web, you can upload files up to 10 GB*.

What web browsers is OneDrive for Business compatible with?

For the best experience with OneDrive for Business, users should use the current version of Chrome/Edge Chromium (new Microsoft Edge). Internet Explorer is no longer supported for Office 365.

*If you experience issues with functionality when using OneDrive for Business on a District computer, please try using Chrome/Edge Chromium (new Microsoft Edge).

Is OneDrive for Business available for students?

Yes.

I have a personal OneDrive account. Is that different from OneDrive for Business?

Yes. OneDrive for Business is different than OneDrive. A OneDrive account is tied to a personal Microsoft consumer account that is not managed by SPS. A OneDrive for Business account is tied to your SPS (Office 365) account that is managed by the district and is meant for business use only. Please note that these two accounts cannot be combined.

How can I learn more about how to use OneDrive for Business?

To learn more about how to use OneDrive for Business, please visit the Microsoft OneDrive for Business resource site.

What customer support is available?

For assistance on accessing your OneDrive for Business account, staff should contact the Techline. Please note that the Techline is unable to assist with support of any issues on personal devices. If you are a student and are having trouble with OneDrive, please contact your teacher.

How do I use Outlook client application?

If you use the Outlook client to access your email, you will notice little to no change to your email. If you use web mail to access your email, you will see some user interface changes that will be similar to the full Outlook client experience. Basic introduction to navigation.

Will I need to update the settings on my mobile device?

Click below to see the instructions to update your mobile device.

If you don’t have access to email on your mobile device, you can now set it up by following the above instructions. Configuring your mobile device to access your district email, will require you to set up a passcode/pin on your device.

Note: By configuring e-mail on a mobile device such as a cell phone, using ActiveSync or other mail clients, due to privacy and public information data contained in e-mail, you agree to notify SPS if the device is stolen, lost, or infected with a virus or malware by calling the TechLine at 206-252-0333. All data on the device will be remotely wiped, including all messages, contacts, calendar, pictures, etc. and the device will be reset to the factory default state. Once erased, the employee should also contact their carrier to disable cellular phone service and prevent unauthorized phone use. In the event SPS determines that the data on a mobile device poses a security risk to the District, SPS reserves the right to notify the user and remotely wipe the device./p>

I am in web mail, but I can’t get to my calendar or contacts.

To get to your calendar or contacts, click on the waffle  on the top left corner of your screen. From here, you can access your calendar or contacts (also called people).

Here you will also see other applications you have access to in Office 365 (including Office Online and OneDrive). To get back to your email, click on the waffle and then select Mail.

When I reply to an email, the default setting is “Reply all”. How can I change the default to be “Reply”?

To change the default reply setting, click on the drop-down arrow next to “Reply all”, select “Change default” and then select “Reply”.

Is our information secure in the cloud?

Security is a major priority for the District. We are confident that the security provisions in Office 365 to cover all information (whether generated in email, SharePoint, or Office-create files stored in OneDrive), and meet all the necessary security provisions. This includes stringent security requirements including FERPA and HIPAA.

Can I change my password?

If your password has expired, when logging in you will be prompted to change your password. If you would like to reset your password, you will need to be on a district computer.

How can I manage the Junk Email folder?

Overview of the Junk Email folder.

What is included in Office 365 ProPlus?

The Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus suite includes:

Who is eligible to download Office 365 ProPlus?

This program is available for active SPS students and SPS staff. Note that this software will only work for as long as you are a student or staff member at SPS. All students will have access to download Office ProPlus.

How do I install Office 365 ProPlus?

Install Office ProPlus on desktops and log in using their SPS username and password. Your username should be entered as username@wxhl.org. Students – please note that this does not give you access to email. This is simply your login method.

Once logged in, click on the gear (Settings) icon at the top-right menu. After clicking on Office 365 Settings, students and employees may click Software to begin the installation process.

To install Office ProPlus on mobile devices, go to the App Store or Google Play to find the applications and enter your SPS account information.

Need Help?

Due to liability and the overwhelming number of variables related to home computer environments, the TechLine is unable to assist with support of Office installed on personal computers at home.

Here are some step-by-step instructions provided by Microsoft for downloading and installing Office ProPlus

Employees and students downloading Office 365 ProPlus are entitled to the same support options as other Microsoft customers purchasing software for home use, including free access to resources and newsgroups on the support.microsoft.com website, pay-per-use e-mail and telephone support.

Where can I get instructions to download and install Office ProPlus?

Here are some step-by-step instructions provided by Microsoft for downloading and installing Office ProPlus.

To install Office ProPlus for the Mac, please follow these instructions.

Is this a fully-functioning version of Microsoft Office? Can I use it offline?

Yes, this is the latest version of Office with complete functionality. You can install Office ProPlus directly to your device and use it with or without internet access.

Note: Users must log in to the Internet once at least every 30 days on at least one of the devices that downloaded Office 365 to automatically validate their license eligibility. Failure to do so will cause the software to operate in reduced functionality mode.

I have both a Macintosh and a PC in my office and at home. Can I install Office ProPlus on both of my home computers?

Yes. You can download Office ProPlus on any 5 personal devices, including PCs, Macs, mobile, or tablets.

Can I install this software on my district-issued device?

No. You can only install Office ProPlus on personal/home devices for students and employees, and not to district-owned devices. The district has a separate agreement with Microsoft for software installation on district-owned devices.

How long does a SPS student have access to Office ProPlus?

SPS students have access to their Office ProPlus services as long as they are a student of SPS. In November of each year, licenses will expire for students who are no longer enrolled in SPS. After that, they will have read-only access to their Microsoft files and will have the option to purchase the Office 365 ProPlus on their own (at a monthly fee).

How long does a SPS employee have access to Office ProPlus?

SPS employees have access to Office ProPlus as long as they are an employee of SPS. Within 30 days of their departure, their software will enter a Reduced Functionality mode, which will give users read-only access to their Microsoft files. They will have the option to purchase Office ProPlus on their own (at a monthly fee).

I recently purchased Microsoft Office for my personal use. Can I be reimbursed?

No. Microsoft Office purchased for personal use is a consumer product. Office 365 ProPlus is available through SPS’s existing license with Microsoft.

What is Reduced Functionality Mode?

In reduced functionality mode, Office 365 ProPlus remains installed on the computer, but users can only view and print their documents. All features for editing or creating new documents are disabled, and the user will see a “Product Deactivated” message.

Where can I get training on Office?

Here are some training resources available from Microsoft:

End user training on Office for Mac or PC.

Help guides on Office Mobile for iPhone

Help guides on Office Mobile for Android

What customer support is available?

For installation assistance, please refer to this step-by-step guide.

Due to the overwhelming number of variables related to home computer environments, the Techline is unable to assist with support of Office installed on personal devices.

Employees and students downloading Office 365 ProPlus are entitled to the same support options as other Microsoft customers purchasing software for home use, including free access to resources and newsgroups on the website, pay-per-use e-mail and telephone support.

Need Help?

Additional Resources

OneDrive for Business – Quick introduction from MicroSoft

Office Training Center – Many resources, videos, training, etc. for Office 365 programs.

Office 365 mobile app setup

Office Quick Start Guides

Office for Mac Quick Start Guides

Contact us

Students and families: Get help with our student techline

Staff: For staff who need tech support, please create a tech ticket.