This new feature will make Microsoft Word feel even more like Google Docs
@mentions are coming to Microsoft Word
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The battle for word processor supremacy continues to heat up, with a new update toMicrosoft Wordbringing it back to the forefront.
The platform, a key part ofMicrosoft’soffice softwaresuite, will soon benefit from @mentions, a new tool that will allow users to tag others in their shared document.
The function will allow Microsoft Word users to create a comment that will let them create, assign and track tasks associated with the document.
Microsoft Word @mentions
The entry for the update on theMicrosoft 365 official roadmapcontains little extra detail, save for the fact that the feature will be coming to desktop users.
Although it’s still listed as being “in development” for the time being, the update has a scheduled general availability launch date of December 2022, so users won’t have to wait too long.
The lack of detail may be down to the fact that @mentions arealready launchingacross the company’s software suite, most recently in itsMicrosoft Excelspreadsheet offering.
The tool can help with greateronline collaboration, particularly in shared documents or files that multiple colleagues may be editing or working on at the same time.
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Such mentions have also been a part ofGoogle Workspacefor some time, with users of Docs, Sheets, Slides and other tools able to create tags or comments for shared users.
The news is the latest Microsoft Word update as the company looks to make the software more intuitive and engaging for users everywhere.
Recently, it revealed that it is working on a new feature for its OneDrivecloud storageplatform that looks to make it easier toshare and review Microsoft Word files online.
The update will mean that Microsoft Word web users will now be able to simply click the Share command in the eponymous button, then add the people they need to review the document to push it to OneDrive.
Another recent update will allow users toeasily switch between editing, reviewing, and viewing a document.
Users will now see a new Editing button in the Microsoft Word ribbon, which when clicked, offers up three options; Editing, which is on by default, allows the user to make direct changes to the document, Reviewing, which allows the user to suggest alterations, suggestions or comments, and Viewing, which just lets you look over the document without making changes.
Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK’s leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he’s not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.
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