What is Microsoft Office Suite?

April 27, 2023 - (Free)

A group of productivity software programs called the Microsoft Office Suite were created and made available by the Microsoft Corporation. The suite contains a variety of tools for word processing, spreadsheet analysis, presentation production, email communication, and database management that are often used in companies, homes, and educational institutions.

You may purchase the Microsoft Office suite, commonly known as MS Office, which is a group of software programs that let you do things like compose papers, edit spreadsheets, make slide shows, and more.

Due to the vast array of capabilities it provides, this suite has long been a go-to computing option for businesses, students, and home users. It is one of the most adaptable collections of programs on the market.

The Microsoft Office package is available from Microsoft directly as well as via a number of other merchants, including Staples, Best Buy, Amazon, and more.

It is offered as a subscription that can be installed on up to 6 devices or as a standalone set of apps that can be installed on one computer.

what is microsoft office suite

There are versions of Microsoft Office that can be used in Web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge in addition to versions that are compatible with Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. The following applications are included with Microsoft Office suite subscriptions:

  • Microsoft Word – word-processing application (.docx files)
  • Microsoft Excel – spreadsheet application (.xlsx files)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint – presentation application (.pptx files)
  • Microsoft Outlook – email application
  • Microsoft OneNote – note-taking application
  • Microsoft Publisher – desktop publishing application (.pub files)
  • Microsoft Access – database application (.accdb file types)

All of the software mentioned above are included in the subscription choices, but only Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are included in the standalone Home & Student edition.

Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are all included in the stand-alone Home & Business version.

Alternatives to Microsoft Office

Although Microsoft Office is frequently cited as the best option for these kinds of apps, some users might find it to be a touch on the pricey side.

The following are some available options if you require the ability to create these types of papers but don’t want to invest any money:

Google Apps – This provides features like Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and more and is free with your Google account.

LibreOffice – another free office suite that includes tools like Writer, Calc, Impress, and others.

FreeOffice – This extra free suite of programs, which includes tools like TextMaker, PlanMaker, and presentations, offers yet another strong alternative to Microsoft Office. They do offer a premium version as well, however the free version can handle a lot of basic jobs.

Microsoft Office Online – Office apps that may be utilized in a browser for free. By creating a Microsoft Account, you can access these.

Additional Information

If you choose to purchase a Microsoft Office subscription, you will receive a version of Office called Office 365, which enables you to install all of the most recent program updates as soon as they are made available.

When you purchase Office as a standalone product, you receive Office 2019 (as of the time this article was written), which does not contain future updates as they become available.

Additionally, each user receives 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage if you choose the subscription option.

Conclusion

Microsoft Office Suite is a valuable and essential tool for anyone looking to boost productivity and efficiency in their work or personal life.