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7 things Microsoft didn't tell us about the new Office app

Microsoft

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

Simply called “Office,” the new smartphone app (it runs on tablets, but Microsoft promised something more biased towards them at a later date) goes back in time by combining multiple applications: Word, Excel and PowerPoint. (For those who chafe at “OK, boomer,” the concept smacks of early, low-end suites like AppleWorks or Microsoft Works.)

Microsoft
MicrosoftMicrosoft

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

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Even though Microsoft hinted at a revolution in the concept of mobile productivity, it offered a basic tour of Office. He 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 it did, it underestimated them. We've solved that for them.

Remember the income generation clause

Like virtually every free download 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 will not have the right to)…use the software for commercial, non-profit, or income-generating activities unless you have commercial use rights under a separate agreement,” the license terms of the company state. application.

In this case, “commercial rights” 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 an appropriate subscription to create or edit documents using its mobile apps. But it's worth repeating because it's easy to forget or ignore.

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

It's not just Word + Excel + PowerPoint

The new Office app does more than just combine three existing apps into one. It also adds some features that are exclusive to the app or were previously only available in other Microsoft apps.

For example, the Office app allows you to scan QR codes to open files and links. It also allows you to sign PDF files with your finger or a pen. 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 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 app also includes some templates to quickly create documents. You can choose from several categories such as reports, resumes, brochures, and invoices.

The app also supports voice dictation and voice commands to create and edit documents. You can also use your voice to search for files and commands within the app.

The app does not replace individual apps.

While the new Office app combines Word, Excel, and PowerPoint into a single interface, it doesn't completely replace them. The individual apps still offer some features that aren't available in the Office app.

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

The Excel app has more features and formulas than the Office app, as well as more types of charts and data analysis tools.

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

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

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

The app 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 app 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 app 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 app is free, but not for everyone.

The new Office app is free to download and use 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 app for commercial, nonprofit, or revenue-generating activities, you need an Office 365 subscription that includes the mobile apps. These include Office 365 Enterprise E3 and E5, as well as Microsoft 3.

If you have an Office 365 subscription, you can sign in to the app with your work or school account and access all the features and benefits of your plan.

The app is not available in all regions.

The new Office app is currently available only in select regions. Microsoft said it will roll out the app 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 have to wait until it is available in your region.

The application is still in development.

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

You can share your feedback 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 on 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 support for tablets, dark mode for Android, support for more languages, and integration with more Microsoft services and apps.