For users who cannot afford Microsoft Office 365 (subscription-based service) or Microsoft Office 2019/2021 (called perpetual version), Microsoft has been offering a free version of them.
Microsoft Office Online lets you use Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications for free. The Microsoft Office Online Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs have all the essential features to create and edit documents. However, they do miss out on some features available in Microsoft Office 365 or Office 2021/2019 programs for obvious reasons. In short, the Office Online applications are basic versions of Office 365/Office 2021.
Anyone with a Microsoft account (which can be created for free) can start using Microsoft Office Online Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
As the name indicates, these Office applications are available online only. Unfortunately, this means that you cannot install them as they are not available for download.
Can I install Microsoft Office Online Word/Excel/PowerPoint on Windows 10/11?
Microsoft does not offer the installable version of Office Online programs. However, if you often use these Online versions of Office programs, you can install them as an app using a feature available in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browser.
When installed as an app, the Office Online Word, Excel, or PowerPoint program will be opened in its own window. However, note that you cannot use them offline.
Install Microsoft Office Online Word/Excel/PowerPoint as an app in Windows 10/11 using Google Chrome
Step 1: In the Google Chrome browser, visit the Office Online website and sign in to your Microsoft account.
Step 2: Click the three dots next to the profile icon, click More tools, and click Create shortcut option.
Step 3: In the pop-up, type Office Online, select the Open as window option, and then click the Create button to install Microsoft Office Online as an app.
You can now use the search to open the Office Online app. Note that your computer must be connected to the internet to use the app.
Install Microsoft Office Online as an app in Windows 10/11 using the Edge browser
Step 1: Head to the Office Online website and sign in to your account in the Microsoft Edge browser.
Step 2: Next, click the three dots in the browser toolbar, click Apps and then click the Install this site as an app option.
Step 3: When you get the following pop-up, click on the Install button.
Step 4: In a few seconds, the Microsoft Office app will be opened along with a pop-up asking if you would like to pin it to the Start taskbar and create shortcuts on the desktop.
Select what you would like to do and then click the Allow button. That’s it!
You can now launch the Microsoft Office Online app using Start/taskbar search.
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