Microsoft Office: What is Office 365?
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What is Office 365?

Office 365 is a subscription-based version of the Microsoft Office Suite. Unlike traditional versions of Office that you purchase once, Office 365 ensures you always have the most up-to-date tools from Microsoft. You have a few options when purchasing an account:

  • Office 365 Personal: Gives a single user full access to every Office application.
  • Office 365 Home: Designed for families where multiple people will be using Office across different devices.

Watch the video below to see more of what Office 365 has to offer.

Exclusive features

There are a lot of similarities between Office 365 programs and the traditional Microsoft Office Suite, so the overall experience should feel familiar if you've used Office before. However, Office 365 offers several advantages:

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  • Advanced Tools: Access to features like the Translator, Resume Assistant, and Smart Lookup.
  • Real-Time Collaboration: Co-authoring in Excel lets multiple people edit a workbook simultaneously.
  • Enhanced Mobile Apps: Subscribers can insert page breaks, use expanded color palettes, and create PivotTables on mobile devices.
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Note: Free editions of the Office mobile apps only allow basic tasks like creating files and entering text.

SharePoint and software updates

Another distinct advantage to using Office 365, especially for businesses, is access to SharePoint Online. This service allows you to share and collaborate with colleagues or customers seamlessly. Because documents live in the cloud, security permissions can be set so anyone in the organization can view them regardless of location.

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Office 365 subscribers also get more frequent software updates than those who purchased a non-subscription version. This means you have immediate access to:

  • The latest productivity features
  • Critical security updates
  • Essential bug fixes
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Storage Bonus: Office 365 includes significantly more file storage in OneDrive and dedicated technical support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Office 365 the same as Microsoft 365?

Yes. Microsoft rebranded Office 365 to Microsoft 365 in 2020, though many people still use the terms interchangeably. The service still provides the same subscription-based access to Office apps.

Do I need internet to use Office 365?

You need the internet to install and activate the apps, and to sync files to OneDrive. However, the desktop applications (Word, Excel, etc.) can be used offline once installed.

What happens if my subscription expires?

Your apps will enter "Reduced Functionality Mode." You will still be able to open and print your documents, but you won't be able to edit them or create new ones until you renew.

Continue to Lesson: Creating a Microsoft Account →

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