Microsoft changed the name from Office 365 (Its software as a service – SaaS) at Microsoft 365 recently, after putting it away for a bit. This article is about Microsoft 365 and frequently asked questions about the cloud offering.
Microsoft 365 FAQ
Microsoft 365 is the new name for Office 365. It is a cloud-based subscription service offering Microsoft Office productivity tools and numerous cloud spaces on OneDrive. It is available in different editions:
- Staff,
- Home,
- Pro,
- Basic business
- Commercial standard
- Business Premium
- Applications for companies
- E5
- E3.
These productivity tools belong to the Microsoft Office suite. There are Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Additional apps are available depending on the operating system you are using and also depend on the type of subscription you get. For example, Microsoft 365 has a Publisher application for PC but not for Mac. The editor is not available for the personal edition, but it is present in the other editions.
The Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription includes these apps:
- Word
- Excel
- Perspective
- A note
- OneDrive
- power point
- Editor
- Sharepoint
- Exchange
- The teams
- Power BI
- Kaizala
- Sink
- Make
- PowerApps.
Microsoft 365 also offers 1TB of cloud storage on OneDrive to each user covered by the subscription. For example, the Home Edition offers 1TB of cloud space each to a maximum of six authorized users in the plan.
1. What is Microsoft 365 for?
Microsoft 365 is used to create, share, and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real time. It allows work to be saved directly to OneDrive so that you can access the latest version of files from any computer running a supported operating system.
Note that this service is different from the online version of Office Productivity Tools available at office.com Applications include Mobile Word, Mobile Excel, Mobile PowerPoint, Mobile OneNote, OneDrive, and messaging solutions. They can be used simply in a browser which presents different options for working and collaborating in real time.
Microsoft’s office apps on office.com are free and lack some of the best features only available in Microsoft 365 and standalone Microsoft Office for desktop. For example, you cannot use headings and captions in document being created or edited in MS Word web application online in free version.
To understand Microsoft 365, just think of it as MS apps that are available on all devices with an internet connection and has a lot more options than the online version of Office available on Office.com (also known as Office web apps).
2. What is the difference between Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365?
Microsoft Office is a suite of applications that require a single license. This is not a cloud-based offer, but is downloaded to your computer. So you cannot access it from other computers. You can only access it from the computer where you have Microsoft Office installed. If you need a new version of Microsoft Office, you must upgrade the applications using a new license key.
Rather, Microsoft 365 is a Software as a Service subscription offering. You can choose to pay monthly or annually. You can access your files and documents from any computer with an Internet connection. You can edit them using desktop apps or using web apps. You have the option to store files directly in the cloud even if OneDrive is not installed on your computer. You can turn off saving files to OneDrive if you don’t want your files to be in the cloud.
3. Do I need Microsoft 365?
It depends on your needs. Web applications – MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint – should be sufficient for an average user. But there is a lack of functionality in Office Online (the mobile apps). For example, you cannot create a “Table of Contents” using these applications. If you need all the features of Microsoft Office, you can purchase a desktop version or subscribe to Microsoft 365.
With the purchase of a Microsoft 365 subscription, you get all the features, you get the latest versions of Microsoft Office applications at no additional cost; and you also get a terabyte of OneDrive. In addition, you can share the subscription between six people: each of the six people can download the latest version of MS Office applications: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, etc. Each user receives a terabyte of OneDrive where he / she can store files automatically (or manually if desired) and collaborate with other users in real time.
On the other hand, if you want to pay once and use the apps for as long as you want, you can go for the MS Office desktop package.
4. Is Microsoft 365 free? Is Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office better?
Microsoft 365 is not free. But it exists in different editions and its price is accordingly. You can check the cost here. Additionally, some editions may have a one month free trial period. Office mobile apps are free on Android and iOS.
5. Do I have to pay Microsoft Office 365 every year?
It depends on you. There are two payment options: monthly and yearly. The annual plan saves you money because it offers a discount (up to 16%)
6. Can I buy Office 365 for life?
No. You can buy Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) for a month or a year. This is a subscription-based service, so you have to pay for it monthly or annually until you choose to cancel the subscription. There is no lifetime option.
7. Is Microsoft 365 Worth It?
Yes. This saves you time and money in the long run compared to Microsoft Office desktop apps. You don’t have to buy the latest Office software every time it’s released. You can share each subscription with other people – for example, six people can share a Home Edition. Each of them receives 1 terabyte of OneDrive in addition to the office software.
8. Can I buy Microsoft Office without a subscription?
Stand-alone Microsoft Office applications like MS Word, MS Excel, MS OneNote, etc. can be purchased without a subscription. But if you are referring to the web service, Microsoft 365 needs a subscription. If you want to use Mobile Word, Mobile Excel, and Mobile PowerPoint, you don’t have to pay anything.
9. Can I buy Microsoft Office permanently?
Microsoft Office is a suite of office applications. Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based cloud offering available for a recurring monthly or annual fee. If you buy the office suite, it is definitely for you. For example, if you buy Office 2013, you can use it for as long as you want. But unlike Microsoft 365, the version will not update automatically. If you need an advanced version like Microsoft Office 2019, you will need to purchase the 2019 version again.
10. Do I have to buy Microsoft Office every year? What happens if I don’t renew Microsoft 365?
Unless you set it to manual renewal, the Microsoft 365 fee will be billed to your card multiple times, and then you will receive a change notice from the registered card. Over time, you will no longer be able to access the applications.
11. Which version of Microsoft 365 is the best?
The latest version of Microsoft Office is always the best because it is more secure and offers a better interface. Thus, it keeps changing with each release of new versions. If you don’t want to miss out on the latest features, Microsoft 365 is better for you. If you don’t want to pay a recurring fee and are okay with skipping updated versions, Microsoft Office is right for you. At the time of writing this article, the best version is Office 2019.
12. On how many devices can I install Microsoft 365 Home?
Microsoft 365 Home can be used on six devices at a time. This does not include mobile apps (Mobile Word, Mobile Excel, Mobile PowerPoint, and OneNote) as they can be used for free on mobile devices as long as they are available as such.
The above have been frequently asked questions (FAQs) for Microsoft 365. If you have any unanswered questions, please comment. We will do our best to answer them.