Choosing the best version of Microsoft Office for your device and usage can feel overwhelming. Or, you may assume that you have the best version for your needs simply because its the latest, but this is not always the case.
The preview period is over. Microsoft is making Office 2019 generally available starting today, September 24, for Windows and Mac. Office 2019 is the successor to Office 2016. It's the 'perpetual. Mac: Office 2016 or 2011. If you’re using Office for Mac, open one of the Office programs, such as Word, and click on the Word (or Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) menu. Select “About Word”. The About Word (or Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) dialog box displays, listing the current version number and the build number.
Here is a simple summary of your options to make choosing one as painless as possible!
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Keep in mind that some versions of Microsoft Office are intended to integrate with cloud or mobile lifestyles, though this is optional.
Free Microsoft Office Viewers
You can view, copy, or print Office documents authored by others without buying the suite yourself. However, these Office Viewers are becoming obsolete because they offer fewer features than Microsoft Office Online.
Since these are free, we feel it makes more sense for users to sign up for Office Online instead (see next item on this list).
Free Microsoft Office Online (Web Apps)
The Office Web Apps are free, simplified versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. The apps are used on your Android, iOS, Mac, or Windows device through an internet connection.
The programs themselves are housed on a remote server. Users are therefore working through Microsoft's cloud environment known as OneDrive.
Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows
Office 2019 is the latest version of Microsoft Office. As opposed to the cloud-based Office 365, just below, it is the traditional desktop version of the suite, but can be cloud-integrated.
Office 2019 comes in a variety of versions you can read more about through this link. In particular, you may be interested in a discounted student version, if you qualify.
You purchase Office 2019 the same way as past versions, by paying for it once.
Alternatively, you could opt for older versions: Office 2016, Office 2013, Office 2010 or Office 2007. Support for Office 2003 has ended. The tradeoff is that, while these versions may be cheaper, they will lose support sooner and could cause you compatibility issues with users who have upgraded.
Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac
Microsoft Office 2019 is the latest version for Mac users. Follow this link for more details and download information.
Alternatively, you could opt for Office 2011 for Mac. Again, the tradeoff for saving money on an older version is that the software loses relevancy faster.
Microsoft Office 365
Office 365 is the productivity portion of Microsoft's SkyDrive cloud, and the new Office 2013 is part of Office 365.
Office 365 comes in professional, organizational, personal, or student subscription plans rather than a one-time purchase.
Microsoft Office for iPad
This version is optimized for iPad tablets and is available in a free version. Additional features are available with an Office 365 subscription.
Microsoft Office Mobile for iPhone
This is an app you can use alone or with an Office 365 subscription. The latter gives you more features and options.
Microsoft Office Mobile for Android Tablets
This version for Android tablets is in preview. You can download it for free and use it, then upgrade to the final release version. Once that happens, you should have the option of integrating this app with Office 365 for even more features.
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT (for RT Tablets such as Surface RT)
Office 2013 comes in a special version for Windows 8 RT devices such as Microsoft's Surface RT.
A few limitations exist in this version, so it really pays to check this out before deciding on your hardware. If you already have an RT device, this is the most robust version of Office that will work on it, and it probably came pre-installed anyway.
Microsoft Office Mobile for Android Phone
This free version for Android phones can also be used as a standalone app or integrated with Office 365.
Microsoft Office Mobile for Windows Phone
Your best experience for Microsoft Office on Windows Phone comes from a version built just for this device, and it most likely is pre-installed on newer phones. This also can be used as an independent app or with an Office 365 subscription.
Office 365 is a subscription that comes with premium apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, and Access (Publisher and Access available on PC only). The apps can be installed on multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Android tablets, and Android phones. Office 365 also comes with services like 1TB of OneDrive storage, 60 Skype minutes per month, and Microsoft chat and phone support. With a subscription, you get the latest versions of the apps and automatically receive updates when they happen.
Office 2019 is a one-time purchase that comes with classic apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for PC or Mac, and does not include any of the services that come with an Office 365 subscription. One-time purchases don’t have an upgrade option, which means if you plan to upgrade to the next major release, you'll have to buy it at full price.
Learn more about the differences between Office 365 and Office 2019 in Office Support, or use the comparison chart to help you pick the right Office version for your needs.
First, check to see if you are eligible for Office 365 Education, which is free for qualified teachers and students, and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, and other classroom tools from Microsoft. Office 365 Education is not a trial, and is available for free to accredited academic institutions who have successfully signed up for this program.
If your school is not eligible for Office 365 Education, you can choose among these other options to find the Office version that fits your budget and needs.
To see if your computer, mobile device, and/or browser can run Office, please visit the Office system requirements page.
Internet access is required to install and activate Office, but not to use Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint once you have these fully installed on your computer.
For Office 365 customers, connecting to the internet regularly ensures that you can receive automatic updates and your Office apps are on the latest versions. Internet access will also be needed to manage your Office 365 account - for example, to change payment options or to access documents stored on OneDrive.
Once you have purchased Office, you can install it from the Services & subscriptions section of your Microsoft Account page.
For further assistance with downloading, installing, reinstalling, or activating Office, and/or more guidance on Office updates, see this article in Office Support.
People using Office 365, Office 2019, Office 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007 as well as Office for Mac 2011 and 2008 will be able to open and view your documents, but those on earlier versions may need to install a compatibility pack.
Documents that you have created or copied from others fully belong to you, and you can save them locally like on your PC or Mac, and/or store them online via a cloud service like OneDrive. Once your subscription expires, your Office apps enter read-only mode, which means you can still view or print documents but you can't create or edit them.
Find out how you can renew or cancel your Office 365 subscription, or turn automatic renewal on or off in this article in Office Support.
To manage your Office 365 subscription, including changing billing options or turning automatic renewal on or off, visit the Services & subscription section of your Microsoft Account page.
To share your Office 365 Home subscription, go to the Services & subscription section of your Microsoft Account page. Make sure to sign in with the same Microsoft Account you used to set up your subscription, and select Share Office 365 from there.
For step-by-step guidance on how to Share your subscription, visit this article in Office Support.
Microsoft Word For Mac
The steps for switching between Office 365 Home, Personal, and University differ slightly depending on the subscription you currently have and want to switch from. Click on the relevant link below for further guidance:
Yes, the Office 365 Training Center has quick start guides, cheat sheets, tips and tricks, and training courses on how you can make the best use of Office.
Office 365 FAQ with chat link: https://products.office.com/microsoft-office-for-home-and-school-faq
Office Support forum with chat link: https://support.office.com/