Last month, we heard a rumor which suggested that Microsoft may rename its online Office suite of apps to Office Online. It seems it was correct after all, as the Redmond-based company has renamed Office Web Apps to Office Online, which in my opinion is much better compared to it’s old name.
Recently, Microsoft renamed SkyDrive to OneDrive due to some legal issues, but why Office Web Apps? Well, Microsoft’s product marketing manager for Office Online Amanda Lefebvre says, “We heard from customers that the inclusion of Apps in our name was confusing. Are they something I install? Do I go to an app store to get them? No, to use them all you need is a web browser. Ah! You say. So it’s like Office, online. Yes, exactly. Office Online.” That makes some sense to me. What about you?
It appears many people don’t know that Microsoft Office Online exists as it’s a little difficult to find, although we do use it online when working with OneDrive (formerly known as SkyDrive). Now, users can just head over to Office.com, login with their Microsoft credentials, and get started with the online version of Office. Simple isn’t it?
Additionally, all the documents, spreadsheets or presentation you make using Office Online are automatically saved in your OneDrive so you don’t lose your precious data. With the new Office Online, Microsoft has also introduced a bunch of templates for Word, Excel and PowerPoint to help you get started and make budgets, resumes, calendars and more, using the online version.
Office Online also brings an improved way to collaborate with other people, and see who is reading/editing the document in real-time. Lefebvre further states, “With Office Online, you can dynamically collaborate in real-time. You’ll see where your co-authors are working in the document, and see their changes as they happen. And here’s the best part. You can also work at the same time with your classmates and colleagues using your Office desktop applications, too.”
Last but not the least, Office Online is also included in the app switcher along with Outlook.com and OneDrive, giving you quick access to your desired service with a few simple clicks.
Head over to Office.com and give the online version a try. Also, what do you think about the rebranding of Office Web Apps to Office Online?
