Microsoft is a leading provider of software, services, and solutions. Its office software suite is one of the most popular in the world, and it offers a wide range of features to meet the needs of users of all levels. Most people don't know what features Microsoft apps have. What is the difference between Microsoft Web and Microsoft apps,How to download Microsoft Desktop apps,Which Microsoft Office suite is the best for you, and What is Office 365?
This article will give you a detailed overview of Microsoft apps.
What Does Microsoft Office Desktop Apps include?
Microsoft Office desktop apps are a suite of productivity software that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. These apps help users create, edit, and share documents, spreadsheets, presentations, emails, and notes.
Microsoft Office desktop apps offer several benefits, including:
Powerful features: Microsoft Office desktop apps are packed with features that can help users be more productive.
For example, Word has a powerful grammar checker and style editor, Excel has a variety of financial and statistical functions, and PowerPoint has a wide range of animation and transition effects.
Ease of use: Microsoft Office desktop apps are designed to be easy to use, even for beginners. The user interface is intuitive, and the apps are well-documented.
Compatibility: Microsoft Office desktop apps are compatible with various operating systems and devices. You can create and edit documents on your PC, Mac, or mobile device and be confident they will look the same on any other device.
Collaboration: Microsoft Office desktop apps make it easy to collaborate with others on documents. You can share documents with others and track changes in real-time.
Features of Popular Office Desktop Apps:
Word: Word is a word-processing app that allows you to create and edit documents. It has various features to help you format your documents, including fonts, styles, and layouts. Word also includes a grammar checker and style editor to help you improve your writing.
Excel: Excel is a spreadsheet app that stores, organizes, and analyzes data. It has a variety of functions to help you perform calculations, create charts, and create pivot tables. Excel is also a powerful data visualization tool.
PowerPoint: PowerPoint is a presentation app that lets you create and deliver presentations. It has various features to help you create visually appealing presentations, including animations, transitions, and templates.
Outlook: Outlook is an email client letting you send and receive emails, manage contacts, and schedule appointments. It also includes a task list and a calendar.
Microsoft Office Web vs Microsoft Desktop
The Microsoft Office versions on the web and desktop have both differences and similarities. The online Microsoft Office, available on the web, is an excellent option because it's free and offers most of the essential features. Just remember, you can only use it when connected to the internet, and it doesn't work offline.
To edit an Office document that's on your computer, you can't do it directly. You need to upload it to OneDrive first. This may be inconvenient, especially for extensive Word, PowerPoint, or Excel documents.
However, you can save files as PDFs online without any extra tools. Plus, you can save files both online and on your computer.
Now, let's talk about the Microsoft Office apps you can install on your computer. Unlike the free web version, these apps need a one-time payment. It costs $249.99 for a license on your PC or Mac. This gives you the entire Office 2019 suite; you can use it even when you're not online.
The desktop apps have more features than the web version, which I'll explain below. But, the one-time payment doesn't include extras like OneDrive storage or special features like Audio Transcribe.
And remember, you can't use one license for both your PC and Mac – you'll need separate licenses.
If you don't want the one-time payment option, there's another choice: Office 365. It's a subscription that starts at $6.99 per month.
With this, you can use offline desktop apps too. And there are some cool things on the web version, like Office apps on Chromebooks, a tool to check grammar called Microsoft Editor, helpful AI tools like Audio Transcribe, 1TB of OneDrive storage, advanced formatting options, and more.
Here are the comparison tables of Microsoft Office Web and Microsoft Desktop applications list for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint:
Word
Features | Microsoft Office Web | Microsoft Office Desktop |
|---|---|---|
Availability | Online | Offline |
Features | No advanced editing or printing tools | Full functionality, including all editing and printing tools |
Collaboration | Can collaborate with others in real time | Can collaborate with others in real time |
Cost | Free | Paid subscription required |
Excel
Features | Microsoft Office Web | Microsoft Office Desktop |
|---|---|---|
Availability | Online | Offline |
Features | No advanced formulas or charts | Full functionality, including all formulas and charts |
Collaboration | Can collaborate with others in real time | Can collaborate with others in real time |
Cost | Free | Paid subscription required |
PowerPoint
Features | Microsoft Office Web | Microsoft Office Desktop |
|---|---|---|
Availability | Online | Offline |
Features | No advanced animations or transitions | Full functionality, including all animations and transitions |
Collaboration | Can collaborate with others in real time | Can collaborate with others in real time |
Cost | Free | Paid subscription required |
As you can see, there are some key differences between Microsoft Office Web and Microsoft Office Desktop. Microsoft Office Web is a good option for users who need to access their documents from anywhere, but it does not have all of the features of desktop apps.
Microsoft Office Desktop is a better option for users who need the most powerful features and who want to be able to work offline.
How to Download the Desktop Version of Microsoft Office on Windows/Mac?
In this section, we'll learn how to download the desktop version of Microsoft Office on Windows/Mac. Whether you're a Windows 10 or 11 user and wondering how to download for Windows 10 or 11. You'll learn the entire procedure step-by-step.
Note: The new Microsoft Office version, Microsoft 365, provides a one-month free trial. Unlike its past versions, Microsoft 365 needs a monthly or yearly subscription. This lets users experience their products before purchasing. Only new customers can use its free trial.
Step 1. Visit the official website of Microsoft Office.
Step 2. Select the right subscription based on your needs. Microsoft Office 365 offers two plans: Microsoft 365 for Home and Microsoft 365 for Business.
-Microsoft 365 for home
You can pick between Family and Personal versions. The Family version is for up to 6 people sharing one plan, while the Personal version is for individuals with a separate account.
-Microsoft 365 for business
It's made for big company attendees, offering various services based on the chosen subscription plan.
Step 3. Select and click "Try free for 1 month".
Step 4. You have to sign in to your account or create a new one.
Step 5. Finally, Microsoft Office desktop apps will be downloaded and installed on your PC. This package contains Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
A Free Office Desktop Apps: WPS Office
WPS Office is an excellent solution compatible with various platforms. This free tool comes with essential tools like Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation, boasting an intuitive interface that users can personalize. WPS Office is lightweight, saving device space.
Compared to Microsoft Office, WPS Office's straightforward interface is particularly user-friendly, especially for those unpracticed to complex software.
Key features of WPS Office:
Writer (Like Word): Edit, format, and design documents with ease. This component supports text formatting, templates, and styles.
Spreadsheets (Like Excel): Manipulate and analyze data using formulas, graphs, and pivot tables.
Presentation (Like PowerPoint): Craft engaging slideshows with animations, multimedia, and various templates.
PDF Reader and Editor: Edit and view PDFs directly within WPS Office.
Advantages:
WPS Office is free, providing essential features comparable to Microsoft Office.
Its interface is simpler and more user-friendly, ideal for newcomers.
Compatibility with Microsoft formats ensures smooth document exchange.
Being lightweight, it takes up less storage space on your device.
It supports different operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
In short, WPS Office is a powerful and versatile office suite that offers a similar set of features to Microsoft Office but at a fraction of the cost. It is a great option for users who are looking for a free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Office.
FAQs
1. How long is Office free?
You can use Office for free with its 1-month free trial.
2. Why not use Outlook?
There could be various reasons why not to use Outlook. It can be slow, resource-intensive, and difficult to use.
Summary
In this article, we have covered each aspect of the Microsoft Office applications list with differences between Desktop and Web versions.
Simultaneously we provided a great alternative to Microsoft Office as it's too expensive to purchase and maintain a Microsoft Office subscription, especially for individuals.
WPS Office is a free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Office that offers a similar set of features. It is a great option for users who are looking for a free and powerful office suite.
WPS Office is easy to use, has an expansive range of features, and is compatible with various operating systems.
So, if you want to enjoy all benefits for free, just download WPS Office free of cost with absolutely zero charges.
