The free Office version shows ads on the sidebar and includes 15-second video ads.
Users cannot store documents locally, with OneDrive being the only option for saving files.
The test version lacks features like design tools in Word, macros in Excel, and dictation in PowerPoint.
Microsoft is reportedly testing a free version of its popular office suite for Windows users. This means that applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will be available to users for free, without the need for a Microsoft 365 subscription. However, the free version will be ad-supported, with advertisements on the right side, according to a Beebom report.
SurveyAccording to reports, this ad-supported plan is currently being tested, and only a few users in select countries, including India, can access the Office version. According to the reports, the testers noticed some changes, including popup ads.
How this version will work
Users of the test version see banners in the sidebar, as well as a 15-second video ad that plays after a few hours. Furthermore, free version users are unable to store documents in OneDrive with local file storage disabled.
According to the report, Microsoft has clarified that this is a closed testing phase, and the company has no plans to release a free ad-supported desktop version of Office anytime soon. However, the company says it is considering this option to make Office applications more accessible while maintaining the premium features of the Microsoft 365 subscription.
Free version lacks features
The report went on to say that it will not be a paid substitute and that it lacks features such as drawing and design tools in Word, add-ins, pivot tables, or macros in Excel, and dictation and custom slideshows in PowerPoint.
Interestingly, the move coincides with Microsoft’s aggressive experimentation with AI features within its 365 subscriptions. While the company has previously only offered free versions of Office on the web, this test may indicate a shift in how it plans to provide Office apps to users in the future. However, it is unclear whether Microsoft will continue to test or introduce ad-supported plans in the future.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
