Category: Microsoft Office

Microsoft is experimenting with a free version of its Office suite for Windows. The new products allows editing documents without needing to buy a license or subscribe to Microsoft 365. However, this isn't the lightweight web-based version of Office. Instead, it includes the classic desktop applications: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Microsoft Office comes with the Connected Experiences feature that analyzes user-created content. Looks like the Redmond firm is using it now to bind a data set for training artificial intelligence. The unwanted behavior was spotted by the X user nixCraft on X.

Microsoft has announced Office 2024 for consumers and small businesses. The release is classic app suite without the subscription requirements. It is a one-time purchase that includes newest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook for Windows and macOS.

Office LTSC 2024 is now available. It is a classic version of the app suite that can work offline and doesn't require a subscription for its apps and basic features. Office LTSC 2024 will be supported for five years.

The Redmond software giant is changing how their Office suite handles ActiveX controls. With the launch of Office 2024 in October, ActiveX controls will no longer be enabled by default in the Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio apps.

In Word 2019, you can still paste with formatting from other sources, but it now requires a little effort. Word 2019 Build 17624.20000 has changed how the copy & paste feature works by default. With that build and onward, the famous text processor app no longer saves formatting copied from an external source. It now only keeps a limited set of text attributes like bold and italics, in addition to lists and tables.

The preview of Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 is now accessible for both Windows and Mac platforms. Designed for specific use cases requiring long-term servicing channels, such as managed devices, OEM devices without internet access, or medical testing equipment with embedded apps needing to remain unchanged over time.

Microsoft has officially announced the end of support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 suites, as well as related solutions, on October 14, 2025. Following this date, security patches and technical support will no longer be provided, potentially resulting in decreased performance and increased vulnerability to security threats.

Microsoft Excel web app now supports exporting sheets in CSV format. To export a file, you need to create a new spreadsheet or open an existing one, click the File menu, click the Export button, and then click Download this sheet as CSV.

Microsoft has revealed that Office LTSC 2024 will enter public beta testing in April, eyeing a full launch by the close of 2024. This iteration of the office suite is tailored for users opting for a single-purchase model, offering an alternative to the Microsoft 365 subscription-based service.