Microsoft Office Online

By | January 4, 2020
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Microsoft Office Online

We received an email this morning that reminded me to remind those of you who want to create and open MS Office files that Microsoft offers a free online version of MS Office that’s quite good. And though it is not a desktop application, MS Office Online is the closest you’ll ever come to legally acquiring a free copy of Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office Online was created by Microsoft no doubt as an answer to Google Docs, but unlike Google Docs it has the Office applications with which you’re no doubt familiar.

And let’s be honest. Yes, it’s true, it is a trimmed-down version of Microsoft Office. It lacks many of Microsoft Office’s advanced features. But if you want basic Microsoft Office features, Microsoft Office Online may be just what you’re looking for. Microsoft Office Online has online versions of MS Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, and Excel that you can use free of charge.

Most file types that work with Microsoft Office will work with Microsoft Office Online. And that means you can edit any file and then save a copy to your computer or save online. You can also create files using Microsoft Office Online and save them in the cloud or download them to your computer

Microsoft Office Online - Cloudeight Freeware Pick
MS Office applications available with Microsoft Office Online are shown above.

Microsoft Office Online - Cloudeight Freeware Pick

Open a recent document or file, a document you’ve pinned, or one that was shared with you.

Microsoft Office Online - Cloudeight Freeware Pick

Upload a file from your computer to MS Office Online and edit it.

Microsoft Office Online - Cloudeight Freeware Pick

Edit a document using MS Office Online. In the screenshot directly above I’m editing an MS Word document I uploaded from my computer. You can also create new documents. And when you’re done creating or editing a document, you can download the file(s) to your computer, save them online, or share them with others.

And just one more thing… You’ll need a Microsoft Account (in other words a @hotmail, @outlook.com, @live.ca, @live.com or @msn.com email address) to use Office Online.

Get more information and/or sign in to Office Online with your Microsoft account here.

If you don’t have a Microsoft account you can create one here. It’s free and easy.

5 thoughts on “Microsoft Office Online

  1. Bev Pollock

    I presume I have to go to the website every time I wish to use Office free? Don’t people find that time consuming? Is there another way?
    What is Office App & is it used with free Office & how do I use it?
    Sorry but I am not sure if these go together , i’m just not understanding.

    THanks BP

    Reply
    1. Annabelle

      Bev, if you have a Microsoft account like One Drive, you can sign into that and use the office programs for free. If you purchased a newer Computer with Windows 10, you might have the Microsoft 2016 app listed in your programs, which you will have to download and install, it will be free for a set amount of days…but after that time is up, if you want to continue to use this, you will have to pay for it.
      The Office program that Cloudeight is telling us about is free to use, but yes you will have to sign into your Microsoft account to use it every time unless you never log out. TC mentioned a few above (@hotmail, @outlook.com, @live.ca, @live.com or @msn.com email address) that will allow you to use it for free. It won’t be installed as a program on your pc as we are used to just clicking on an icon and the program opens to use. You will be working online, but after you are finished with the document, you could save it to your computer.
      I have a paid version of the Office program and it will work until Oct. 2020, at which time Microsoft is going to stop supporting it, so then I will have to use the free online version. Hope this helps you understand it.

      Reply
    2. Anjnabelle

      Bev, I’m sorry…I typed the wrong site…not one drive, it is @live.com.

      Reply
  2. Jason Miller

    Thank you for this. I have some Outlook emails that I need to open and no longer have Outlook to do that. This will come in very handy. You two always come up with something very useful every week.

    Reply

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