Microsoft has just released a new version (16.9.0) of Office 2016 for Mac. The update introduces many new features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
One of the long-waited features is the real-time collaboration, which allows multiple users to edit the same document at the same time. Word, Excel and PowerPoint provide live preview when you are working with somebody else on a shared documents, and the Flag icon in the shared document lets you know who join the collaboration and view what contents are modified by the participants in real time.
In other words, users on Mac and Windows can now see each other’s modifications in share document and get real-time collaboration without platform limitation.
When you are editing the document stored in the cloud, it can be automatically saved and updated every few seconds. Accidentally deleting a part of content on your document or overwriting the original content? The History tool in the updated Office 2016 for Mac provides a list of changes so you can roll back to an earlier version.
Would like to try out the new features? Download the install packages in this page.
Every app (except OneNote) gets their own updates. Excel adds a host of new charts like funnel, sunburst and histogram. PowerPoint includes a QuickStarter feature to help users create an outline of the content with suggested talking points and designs. You can use your mouse as a laser pointer in Slide and trim video/audio clips in PowerPoint. Outlook allows users to manage their Google calendars and contacts.
The Office 2016 for Mac was released two years ago for Office 365 subscribers. It is an one-off purchase. Late this year Microsoft will release the Office 2019, and if you want to upgrade to the upcoming version, you will have to pay for the suite again.
As a contrast, Office 365 is paid by monthly or annual subscription. It includes an extra online storage via OneDrive, automatic software updates and tech support.
Having trouble to uninstall Office suite for Mac? Check the removal tutorial here.