7 things Microsoft didn’t tell us about the new Office application

Microsoft last week launched Office, a new mobile app for iOS and Android that the company included in an already crowded lineup of individual apps.

Simplemente denominada «Office», la nueva aplicación para teléfonos inteligentes (se ejecuta en tabletas, pero Microsoft prometió algo más sesgado hacia ellas en una fecha posterior) retrocede en el tiempo al combinar múltiples aplicaciones: Word, Excel y PowerPoint. (Para aquellos que se irritan con el «OK, boomer», el concepto huele a las primeras suites de gama baja, como AppleWorks o Microsoft Works).

However, Microsoft touted Office not as a return to the working days, but as the way it sees a future of mobile productivity, with small tasks squeezed into any available spare moment. If Microsoft is right, Office may be a harbinger of workable work on a smartphone or even a small tablet. Editing a complex Word document on such a device? No thanks. Select it here and add it there? Maybe.

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Although Microsoft hinted at a revolution in the concept of mobile productivity, it offered a basic Office walkthrough. It left a lot of details on the cutting room floor.

These are some of the things Microsoft didn’t tell us about Office or, if they did, they understated them. We’ve fixed that for them.

Recalls the revenue generation clause

Like virtually every free downloadable bit created by Microsoft, the new Office mobile app is licensed in such a way that completing only personal tasks is legal.

«…you may not (and shall not have the right to)… use the software for commercial, non-profit or revenue-generating activities unless you have commercial use rights under a separate agreement,» the application’s license terms state.

In this case, «business entitlements» accrue from an Office 365 subscription assigned to the user by the user’s employer. Consumer-level subscriptions, including Office 365 Personal and Office 365 Home, do not grant such rights. Those that do: Office 365 Enterprise E3 and E5, as well as Microsoft 3.

This is not new; Microsoft has long required users to have a proper subscription to create or edit documents using its mobile apps. But it bears repeating because it’s easy to forget or ignore.

The new Office application does not change this licensing requirement. If you use it for work without an Office 365 subscription from your employer, you are in violation of the terms of service.

It’s not just Word + Excel + PowerPoint

The new Office application does more than simply combine three existing applications into one. It also adds some features that are unique to the application or were previously only available in other Microsoft applications.

For example, the Office application allows you to scan QR codes to open files and links. It also lets you sign PDF files with your finger or a stylus. It also integrates with OneDrive and SharePoint for collaboration and cloud storage.

One of the most interesting features is the ability to create and edit PDF files from images or Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. You can also convert PDF files to editable Word or Excel files.

Another feature is the Lens mode, which allows you to use your device’s camera to capture text, tables, images and whiteboards. You can then edit them in Word, Excel or PowerPoint, or save them as PDF files.

The Office application also includes some templates for creating documents quickly. You can choose from several categories, such as reports, resumes, brochures and invoices.

The application also supports voice dictation and voice commands for creating and editing documents. You can also use voice to search for files and commands within the application.

The application does not replace individual applications.

While the new Office application combines Word, Excel and PowerPoint into a single interface, it does not completely replace them. The individual applications still offer some features that are not available in the Office application.

For example, the Word application has more formatting options than the Office application, such as page layout, headers and footers, footnotes and endnotes, citations and bibliography, and change tracking.

The Excel application has more functions and formulas than the Office application, as well as more chart types and data analysis tools.

The PowerPoint application has more transitions and animations than the Office application, as well as more themes and design layouts.

Individual applications also support add-ons that extend their functionality with third-party services and tools.

If you need these advanced features, you can still use the individual applications on your mobile device. You can also switch between the Office application and the individual applications seamlessly by tapping the Open button in the upper right corner of the screen.

The application is optimized for smartphones.

The new Office app is designed primarily for smartphones, not tablets. Microsoft said it will release a separate version of the app for tablets later this year.

The application works on both iOS and Android devices, but there are some differences between them. For example, the iOS version supports dark mode, while the Android version does not. The Android version also has a home screen widget that allows you to quickly access your recent and pinned files.

The application requires iOS 13.0 or later, or Android 6.0 or later. It also requires a device with at least 1 GB of RAM.

The application is free, but not for everyone.

The new Office application can be downloaded and used free of charge for personal and educational purposes. You can create and edit documents without an Office 365 subscription, as long as you comply with the license terms.

However, if you want to use the application for business, non-profit or revenue-generating activities, you need an Office 365 subscription that includes the mobile applications. These include Office 365 Enterprise E3 and E5, as well as Microsoft 3.

If you have an Office 365 subscription, you can log in to the application with your business or education account and access all the features and benefits of your plan.

The application is not available in all regions.

The new Office application is currently available only in selected regions. Microsoft said it will roll out the application to more regions over time.

You can check if the app is available in your region by visiting the App Store or Google Play Store and searching for «Office». If you see the app with the icon showing Word, Excel and PowerPoint in a square, then you can download it. Otherwise, you will need to wait until it is available in your region.

The application is still under development.

The new Office application is not a final product. Microsoft said it will continue to improve and update the application based on user feedback and suggestions.

You can share your comments and suggestions with Microsoft by tapping the Settings icon in the lower right corner of the screen and then tapping Help & Feedback. You can also rate and review the app in the App Store or Google Play Store.

Microsoft also said it will add more features and capabilities to the app in the future. Some of the planned features include tablet support, dark mode for Android, support for more languages and integration with more Microsoft services and apps.