The free version of Office includes an ad banner. (Image credit: Beebom)
First spotted by Beebom, Microsoft is currently testing a free version of Microsoft Office for users in select countries and regions, featuring advertisements and functional limitations. This edition includes the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint suite.
The client version closely resembles a Microsoft 365 subscription. Upon launch, Microsoft prompts users to log in; if they choose to skip, a welcome dialog appears, inviting them to use the free version. Once confirmed, users gain access to the ad-supported edition.
The most noticeable aspect of the free version is the presence of large banner ads on the main interface. These ads may occasionally be replaced with brief video advertisements, which, as expected in a free edition, cannot be completely disabled.
In terms of functionality, the free Office version shares similarities with Office Online, offering a limited feature set. For instance, Word lacks dictation, line spacing options, WordArt, as well as all drawing and design tools. Excel is stripped of add-ins, pivot tables, various chart types, and other advanced functions. PowerPoint also suffers from reduced capabilities, missing add-ins, dictation, screenshots, and SmartArt, among other features.
Perhaps the most significant restriction is the inability to save files locally. Users are compelled to store their documents exclusively on OneDrive, necessitating a Microsoft account login for file preservation.
Nevertheless, Microsoft’s free offering does address a particular need: some users only require office software occasionally for basic editing tasks. In such scenarios, the free Office version can serve as a convenient solution.
Alternatively, users may opt for Office Online, the web-based counterpart, which provides a slightly broader range of features, including the ability to open and save files locally.
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