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Microsoft 365 Online is free: Here’s how you can use it
It’s as good as the desktop version, but has a few limitations
4 min. read
Published onFebruary 20, 2024
published onFebruary 20, 2024
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With almost everything coming with a subscription fee these days, it always feels good when frequently used programs have a free version. For those of you who don’t know, our go-to editor suite, Microsoft 365 (previously Microsoft Office), is also available for free!
Microsoft 365 Onlineis the web version of our favourite editor apps,Word,PowerPoint,Excel, andOneNote, allowing easy access to everyone who needs just the basic features or doesn’t yet want to purchase a paid subscription.
The web version of Microsoft 365 is very similar to the desktop version, so you don’t spend any time adjusting to it. Let’s get straight to using Microsoft 365 Online!
How do I use Microsoft 365 online?
1. Sign-in and interface
2. Working with Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
Once you open a Microsoft 365 app, be it Word, PowerPoint, or Excel, the interface is similar to the desktop version, though not exactly the same.
You have every menu at the top, the toolbar under it, the different modes (Editing, Reviewing, and Viewing) at the top right, and theShareoption beside it.
At the top left, you will find the sync status, which will state that the file is stored on OneDrive. Every file that you work on inMicrosoft 365 Onlinegets automatically stored in OneDrive, along with all the changes. That’s why theSavebutton is missing!
If you want to make advanced changes to a file that are not available inMicrosoft 365 Online, directly open it in the desktop app. To do that, click theEditingbutton (or another, depending on the mode) near the top right > chooseOpen in Desktop app.
Microsoft 365 Onlinealso allows you to change the zoom level, add the ruler in Word and PowerPoint, and insert additional spreadsheets in Excel, including more basic functionality available in the desktop apps.
To download an offline copy of the file, click theFilemenu > selectSave as> chooseDownload a Copy.
The additional downloadable file formats depend on the app you are working with. For instance, with Word, you will get the option to download asPDFandODT. For Excel, it’s limited toODS. For PowerPoint, the options arePDF,ODP, andJPEGimages.
What are the pros and cons of Microsoft 365 Online?
If you are confused between a paid subscription andMicrosoft 365 Online, we recommend trying the latter for a while and see if it fulfils your requirements. In case not, there’s always the option to subscribe to a paid plan!
Still unsure? SeveralMicrosoft 365 alternativesmight be a better pick for you. So, check them out!
What do you think ofMicrosoft 365 Online? Let us know in the comments section!
More about the topics:Microsoft 365,Office 365
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
