Customizing Resources Using Microsoft Office in VEX 123

Modifying VEX 123 Activities as well as other resources from the Teacher Portal using Microsoft Office can be accomplished in a few easy steps by using ‘Download.’


How to ‘Download’ a VEX 123 Google Doc to be opened in Microsoft Word

Screenshot of a 123 Activity opened in Google Docs with the File button on the toolbar highlighted.

Open the Educator Resource or Activity you would like to modify.

For this example, the Block Pull VEX 123 Activity will be used.

Open the activity and select ‘File.’

Screenshot of a 123 Activity opened in Google Docs with the File dropdown menu opened and the Download - Microsoft Word option highlighted. The Download option is the fourth from the top of the file menu, and Microsoft Word is the first option within the expanded Download menu.

Select the expand icon beside ‘Download’ and select ‘Microsoft Word (.docx).’ This will download the file as a Microsoft Word document to your device’s download location.

Screenshot of the Open option in Microsoft Word with a downloaded 123 Activity .docx file highlighted.

You can launch Microsoft Word and open the file from your device’s download location. Note that the file now has a .docx extension for Microsoft Word.

Screenshot of a 123 Activity downloaded as a .docx file and opened in Microsoft Word, demonstrating that after downloading the document it can be edited.

You can now use Microsoft Word’s features on the document.

Note: when opening a Google Doc in Microsoft Word, there may be formatting changes depending on the document.


How to ‘Download’ a VEX 123 Google Sheet to be opened in Microsoft Excel

Screenshot of the VEX 123 Cumulative Pacing Guide opened in Google Sheets with the File button on the toolbar highlighted, demonstrating that other resources can be downloaded and customized too.

Open the Educator Resource you would like to modify.

For this example, the VEX 123 Cumulative Pacing Guide will be used.

Open the activity and select ‘File.’

Screenshot of the VEX 123 Cumulative Pacing Guide opened in Google Sheets with the File dropdown menu opened and the Download - Microsoft Excel option highlighted. The Download option is the seventh from the top of the file menu, and Microsoft Excel is the first option within the expanded Download menu.

Select the expand icon beside ‘Download’ and select ‘Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).’ This will download the file as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to your device’s download location.

Screenshot of the Open option in Microsoft Word with a downloaded VEX 123 Cumulative Pacing Guide .xlsx file highlighted.

You can launch Microsoft Excel and open the file from your device’s download location. Note that the file now has a .xlsx extension for Microsoft Excel.

Screenshot of the VEX 123 Cumulative Pacing Guide downloaded as a .xlsx file and opened in Microsoft Excel, demonstrating that other resources can be downloaded and edited too.

Now you can use Microsoft Excel’s features on the spreadsheet.


Some example resources

Screenshot of the Little Red Robot Letter Home downloaded as a .docx file and opened in Microsoft Word, demonstrating that other resources can be downloaded and edited too.

You can use the procedures above to ‘Download' many different resources. Some examples include:

Letter Home: another great example of a resource that is found in every VEX 123 STEM Lab. This letter can save countless hours by having all the pertinent information already created for parents and by using ‘Download,’ you can use Microsoft Word to customize it for each class!

Screenshot of the VEX 123 Content Standards downloaded as a .xlsx file and opened in Microsoft Excel, demonstrating that other resources can be downloaded and edited too.

VEX 123 Content Standards: a resource to show the alignment of standards to the VEX 123 STEM Labs. Downloading this spreadsheet will allow you to use the many features in Microsoft Excel.

Resources from the VEX 123 STEM Labs Teacher Portal page, including the Teacher Portal, VEX 123 Activities, and the Cumulative Pacing Guide.

There are many other resources found within the VEX 123 STEM Labs Teacher Portal that can be easily modified using ‘Download.’

For more information, help, and tips, check out the many resources at VEX Professional Development Plus

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