What is in Microsoft Office?

What is in Microsoft Office largely depends on what you have bought and what licences you are paying for, here's a brief overview: 

Desktop Versions of Microsoft Office Apps:

  • Word (Mac or PC)
  • Excel  (Mac or PC)
  • PowerPoint (Mac or PC)
  • Outlook (Mac or PC)
  • Microsoft Publisher (PC only)
  • Microsoft Access (PC Only)
  • Word 
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Outlook for Web
  • Teams (Microsoft 365 Business Standard) 

How Much is Microsoft Office?

Desktop Versions of Microsoft Office Apps costs* one time purchase price of €299. Or on a monthly basis €8.80 per for the Microsoft 365 Apps for business version and €10.50 for the Microsoft 365 Business Standard version. More details on the Microsoft website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/microsoft-365/get-started-with-office-2021

*All prices are quoted here are dated March 1st 2022 and excluded VAT. 

What's the difference between Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365?

Microsoft Office is a group of some core Microsoft apps, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access*, Publisher*

Microsoft 365* subscription package offers all those apps alongside some others such as MS Teams, SharePoint etc. 

*Depending on the licence group that you buy.

Can Microsoft 365 be used offline?

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) is a subscription-based plan that requires Internet access to sign up initially, however you can still use Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Office applications while you are offline too. Note: to stop Microsoft 365 apps from de-activating you need to connect to the internet (go online) every 30 days.

Does Microsoft 365 Expire?

Yes, unless you have the onetime purchase version (see an earlier FAQ for details)

Normally people go for recurring billing subscription, unless you turn recurring billing off or cancel it beforehand. In you account details; the next charge info shows you when you'll be charged next, and for how much. If you see Expires on [date], then your subscription will expire on that date, unless you renew. More about this on the Microsoft website: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/find-out-when-your-microsoft-365-subscription-expires-2eb89f06-bd1c-4f57-9269-f1cbab894341

Is Microsoft Office difficult to use?

Most people who have some exposure to PCs or computers will find Microsoft Office fairly easy to use. The interface is common throughout the entire Microsoft Office suite of Apps and it provides plenty of help inside of each App. So most queries can be answered as you go. In addition, you can take a course or practice at home by following some simple tips on YouTube. For more detailed or advanced users we would recommend a training course that can help you bring it all together and maximise your use of time within the applications. 

Disadvantages of Microsoft Office

Firstly there are alternatives (see next FAQ), but here is a summary of the disadvantages: 

  • You can buy the Microsoft Office package on a one time basis - but you will not get the next version. 
  • If you go with the annual subscription: You can subscribe to the the Microsoft Office 365 but subscriptions aren't for everyone. 
  • You don't have to pay out one-time costs, but you do have to pay every month. 
  • There can be some compatibility issues with bespoke systems. 
  • Constant updates mean constant changes. 
  • Without proper training most people only use 20% of the functionality. 
  • You don't actually own the software.

Microsoft Office Alternatives?

Here's a list of the alternatives to Microsoft Office, each has their own unique benefits. Even if you are not worried about cost, it makes sense to consider whether there’s a better option for your organisation out there.

  • Google Workspace 
  • Apple Office Suite 
  • Apache Open Office 
  • WPS Office
  • LibreOffice

Need Training?

If you want to learn more about our Excel training or are you are just looking for advice on a training project, contact a SureSkills training consultants. We have lots of experience and are here to help you. Click here to go to our Contact Us page.

Contact us

Whether you are thinking of doing any of our Microsoft Offices Courses you can book it here now. Alternatively, if you need advice or would like to discuss a business discount account - email: info@sureskills.com or call: 01 240 22 62 (Irl)/ 028 9093 5565 (UK).

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