Microsoft announced several new cloud-powered features for its Office 365 apps yesterday, including the New Microsoft Editor for Word, Outlook, and the web. If you’re an Office Insider, you can now try the new intelligent writing assistant by installing the latest Office Insider Fast update, as spotted by Microsoft watcher Richard Hay today.
Hey, the Microsoft Editor has gone live in Word for Office 365. I am on Fast Ring in the #OfficeInsider Program so that might be why it is showing up. pic.twitter.com/vsBhuNfw1r
— Richard Hay (@WinObs) March 31, 2020
The new Microsoft Editor is replacing the existing Ideas in Word feature. If you’re logged in to Word with your Microsoft account, the Microsoft Editor will provide basic spelling and basic grammar correction for free, but advanced grammar and style refinement require an Office 365 (soon to be rebranded Microsoft 365) subscription. ” When you want additional assistance, simply open the Editor pane by clicking on the pen icon in the ribbon. Editor can analyze your writing and give you statistics on readability, distinct words, and time to read the document,” Microsoft explained yesterday.
To join the Office Insider program and get the new features (we checked and the latest update is available immediately once you sign up) if you have an Office 365 subscription that includes full Office installations, open Word and go to File>Account>Office Insider and opt in to the program, choosing the Insider level (Office Insider Fast and Slow are now Insider and Monthly Channel). Then click on Office Updates, and your Office installation will be updated to include the new Editor.
The software giant said that the Microsoft Editor will be generally available in Word (including Word Online), Outlook.com, and Outlook and the web by the end of April. As for the Microsoft Editor extension for Microsoft Edge, it’s already available on this page.
