The list of new features in Office 2024 isn’t exactly exciting. It brings perpetual Office 2021 folk up to date with a range of features introduced to the Microsoft 365 subscription offering in the interim.
Since Microsoft committed to its cloud computing strategy, it grudgingly refers to the one-off Office suite as providing “locked-in-time versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook for PC and Mac.” However, locking them in time is its business strategy, and MS could send more than justsecuritypatches down the tubes if it wishes.
Features that are new or improved in the perpetual Office 2024 release are as follows:
It may be tempting to call the one-off purchase of Office 2024 for consumers and small businesses the ‘offline’ version of the suite. However, Microsoft says it “requires both a Microsoft account and an internet connection.” We aren’t sure if that is just a necessity for registration and some online resources - it shouldn’t run much deeper than that.
Microsoft is selling Office 2024 in two editions. Office Home 2024 is $149.99 and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for one PC or Mac. Office Home & Business 2024 is $249.99 and adds Outlook, plus the rights to use the apps for commercial purposes, into the package. Businesses and organizations with five or more users should consider other licensing options.
Office 2024 is compatible with Windows 10 and 11 OSes, and Apple computer users can deploy the software as long as they are packing one of the three most recent versions of macOS.
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Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom’s Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.
