Microsoft has released a new version of Office, designed for users who prefer not to subscribe to Microsoft 365. Office 2024, available for both consumers and small businesses, includes locked-in-time versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook across Mac and PC.
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Office 2024 incorporates many updates previously available to Microsoft 365 subscribers. This release includes improvements to core apps, accessibility features, and user interface changes.
The new default theme in Office 2024 aligns with Microsoft’s Fluent Design principles, matching the visual changes in Windows 11. Accessibility enhancements have been added to help users identify potential issues in documents, slideshows, workbooks, and emails.
Excel 2024 introduces new functions for using text and arrays in worksheets, along with an IMAGE function for pulling pictures from the web. The software can now reference Dynamic Arrays in charts, enabling automatic updates instead of fixed data points. Microsoft claims that Excel 2024 offers improved overall speed and stability.
PowerPoint features the new cameo function, allowing users to insert a live camera feed into slides. The recording studio feature enables recording narration, animations, transitions, and inking. Additionally, users can add closed captions or subtitles to videos and audio files, enhancing accessibility.
Outlook 2024 includes improved search functionality for messages, attachments, contacts, and calendar entries. The latest Outlook release also offers more meeting options, such as automatic shortening. Mac users can customize swipe left and right gestures in Outlook.
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint now allow users to easily insert pictures from Android mobile devices. Microsoft also supports version 1.4 of the OpenDocument format (ODF), which includes various new improvements. Word and PowerPoint also enable users to like and react to comments in documents.
Word 2024 includes a session recovery feature, automatically reopening documents if the PC crashes, loses power, or Word closes unexpectedly. OneNote 2024 users will also benefit from the new inking and drawing experience.
Microsoft requires a Microsoft account and internet connection for Office 2024. However, similar to Office 2021, an internet connection is only needed for installation, activation, and security updates. Office 2024 runs on Windows 10 and 11, as well as the three most recent macOS releases.
Office 2024 is available in two editions: Office Home 2024, priced at $149.99, includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for PC or Mac. For Outlook, users will need to purchase the Office Home and Business 2024 version, priced at $249.99, which also includes commercial usage rights.
