Microsoft has just updated Office Online, a suite of web apps that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Whilst the changes are minor tweaks, together they could streamline the Office experience, bringing it ahead of the competition.
1. Better for readers
The rise of the tablet has fuelled demands for more reading options among Microsoft’s users, and the software vendor has obliged with an updated toolbar. This will put the main edit, print, share and comment functions a mere click away, while filing advanced tools in a more intuitive place.
2. Saving overhaul
These days productivity suites that are not connected to the cloud are old hat, and so Microsoft is changing its saving process for the age of the web. Users can now easily copy documents to or from the OneDrive cloud storage service, and also convert a file to PDF before downloading it.
3. Smoothing the launch
Microsoft wants to get its users to their documents as fast as possible, and is updating the launch screen of OneDrive to facilitate this. Recently accessed documents will now be shown on the front page, alongside a range of templates. The "Tell Me" help tool has also been updated.
4. Proofing proofreading
Office has undoubtedly irked most users at one point or another with bizarre spelling and grammar suggestions, and Microsoft is looking to update the backend to improve this. The company is also rolling out more word count features for Office Online, bringing itself in line with other office suites.
5. Android app linkage
Having just launched a set of Android apps, Microsoft is planning on linking them to Office Online. Users who have installed the apps can now open all their Online documents directly into the programs customised for the touchscreen.
