Microsoft Launches Office 2024 for Mac and PC

[russell_314]

The only reason I can think of someone would pay for Microsoft Office on a Mac is if they’re using it for work or school. For personal use the built in office products work very good. I used to pay Microsoft a monthly subscription to use Office and then thought why am I doing this?

I will agree it’s a learning curve going from Excel to Numbers. There’s been quite a few times where I’ve been frustrated thinking I’ll just pay the $10 a month but I spend a few extra minutes and figure out what I need to do. It’s just another subscription draining your wallet. It’s easy to get caught up in the hole. It’s only $9.99… if you do the “it’s only $9.99 a month” ten times, then you just blew $100 a month not including taxes.

 

[minimalistdave]

Does it support Hubspot ? Plug-ins and text replacement Mac native ? If not I’m passing too

 

[Timpetus]

There's no mention of the price, and from what I can see, it's not yet in the App Store.

I also wonder why they consider 365 to be the preferred version, yet in this version Excel performs faster.

I'm totally fine with it not having updates, but wonder if will at least get bug fixes and changes needed to remain compatible with future MacOS versions. If not, then I wonder when it will no longer work.

From the article:

Office 2024 is compatible with macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma, and macOS Sequoia. The suite of apps requires both a Microsoft account and an internet connection for installation and activation. Two editions are available: Office Home 2024, priced at $149.99, includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Office Home & Business 2024, at $249.99, adds Outlook and includes commercial use rights. Both editions are available now from retailers worldwide and via the Microsoft website.

 

[jakebrosy]

Good! It’s been a long time since I installed Office in my Mac, and it usually was Office 2016. Getting Office 2024 now, as someone who hates subscriptions, would be really nice, as I’m likely getting a new M4 Mac shortly.

I wonder if this license can be installed in more than one Mac. Anyway, if there’s the possibility to get this one-time purchase from the MacApp Store, I’ll get it from there.

Give it a few minutes. I bought Office 2021 2 years ago for $40 through a Stack Social offer.

 

[chrfr]

In 2019, I purchased the 2019 stand-alone version for Mac.

Then, in 2021 I purchased the "new" 2021 stand-alone version for Mac. However, that "new" 2021 version was the exact same version number as the 2019 version. Microsoft simply rebadged the same software. Very sneaky and disappointing.

Fortunately, Microsoft offered an immediate refund when I called them out on it.

So - my advice - be wary that the "new" 2024 version is not simply the 2021 (and 2019!) version that has been rebadged. For anyone that buys the (potentially new, potentially not) 2024 version, please note the current 2019/2021 version is 16.89.1.

As I explained elsewhere in the thread, the type of license applied determines the features you get. You don't get the same features in each year of the license, so upgrading does get you new features but I haven't seen a matrix comparing what you do get in each of the versions.

 

[ZipZap]

From the article:

Office 2024 is compatible with macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma, and macOS Sequoia. The suite of apps requires both a Microsoft account and an internet connection for installation and activation. Two editions are available: Office Home 2024, priced at $149.99, includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Office Home & Business 2024, at $249.99, adds Outlook and includes commercial use rights. Both editions are available now from retailers worldwide and via the Microsoft website.

Where is MS Access?

 

[hans1972]

According to their website the Office 2024 requires internet connection and a MS account to run. Is that like at all time?
I haven't touched MS Office since 95 I think.

It requires a MS account and Internet connection when you install/configure it. After that, it only needs to be able to "phone home" through Internet within a 30 or 45 days period.

So you can use it offline for a few weeks.

 

[ivan86]

The top toolbar is way too small for my licking. I’d love it to take at least half width of the display.

 

[chrfr]

Where is MS Access?

Access has never existed for Mac.

 

[GeoStructural]

However, I moved all my work to Pages, Keynote, Numbers and iCloud. On Mac and iOS this is best, I think.

Keynote is perhaps a close competitor to Powerpoint, but Pages and Numbers are nowhere near Word and Excel in capability, functionality and global adoption. Also, as convoluted as Excel’s UI is it is still better than that dumb-down UI Numbers is giving us.

 

[212rikanmofo]

I hate and won't support any company that uses the subscription model. Good on MS to release a regular stand alone version. Pay once to own.

 

[dontwalkhand]

In 2019, I purchased the 2019 stand-alone version for Mac.

Then, in 2021 I purchased the "new" 2021 stand-alone version for Mac. However, that "new" 2021 version was the exact same version number as the 2019 version. Microsoft simply rebadged the same software. Very sneaky and disappointing.

Fortunately, Microsoft offered an immediate refund when I called them out on it.

So - my advice - be wary that the "new" 2024 version is not simply the 2021 (and 2019!) version that has been rebadged. For anyone that buys the (potentially new, potentially not) 2024 version, please note the current 2019/2021 version is 16.89.1.

That is very underhanded. Wow.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

I’m glad the free Pages/Keynote/Numbers has everything I need.

 

[Tagbert]

ZERO UPDATES?? HAHAH. Okay so this for those folks who MUST stand-their-ground and OWN their software. They’ll pay the annual required (Apple macOS updates can break third party software and require updating) $250 to get an updated version versus $100 subscription. So, they can proclaim from atop the mountain… “BUT I OWN IT!!!”

And for those saying to use Apple’s versions of the MS apps? Or even older versions of Office? This is not practical or even possible in some cases, for those using the software for business or in a WFH setup. Where you’re tightly integrated into the OFFICE ecosystem. Even as a contractor, I look for monthly subs where ever I can. I then turn them off when no longer needed. Much like streaming TV services.

If you are using it professionally, particularly if you are exchanging files with other people, then the subscription Office365 makes the most sense.

If you are just using it for your own documents, this stand alone version might work for you if you don’t mind not having updates. The pricing is a little cheaper than the subscription but not massively so unless you wait 5-6 years between updates. What you own is only for as long as you can use it.

If you are working with your own documents, it might also make sense to switch to Pages/Numbers, Libre Office, or something else.

 

[platinumaqua]

In 2019, I purchased the 2019 stand-alone version for Mac.

Then, in 2021 I purchased the "new" 2021 stand-alone version for Mac. However, that "new" 2021 version was the exact same version number as the 2019 version. Microsoft simply rebadged the same software. Very sneaky and disappointing.

Fortunately, Microsoft offered an immediate refund when I called them out on it.

So - my advice - be wary that the "new" 2024 version is not simply the 2021 (and 2019!) version that has been rebadged. For anyone that buys the (potentially new, potentially not) 2024 version, please note the current 2019/2021 version is 16.89.1.

anyone know what's the current version if you buy and download the 2024 version today?

If the version is the same, I will consider getting 2024 rather than 2021 in case I ever want to upgrade from Monterey, otherwise I have to buy 2021.

 

[Tagbert]

The top toolbar is way too small for my licking. I’d love it to take at least half width of the display.

You can quickly toggle the ribbon with Opt-Cmd-R depending on what you need to do. Unless you are on a small screen the ribbon doesn’t get in the way and it pretty useful. I just wish it were customizable like it used to be.

 

[Dr McKay]

They usually restrict these one time licenses to one machine, and if you change machines, you can't move the license (last I looked).

The 365 version allows for installation on up to 5 'mobile' (laptop) and 5 desktop computers.

At least that's how its been working on the windows side of the fence.

The last standalone MS Office I bought was 2019, it shows as tied to my MS account. If I go on my account page it shows on the Services & Subscriptions page under a "products you've purchased" category. I've installed it on 3-4 Windows machines in the last 5 years, and it hasn't complained.

Unless they've changed it with the 2021 Office version onwards 🤷‍♂️

(Edit: Nvm just double-checked and I have Office 2019 Profesional Plus, which doesn't have the 1 machine limit)

 

[mreg376]

Very good. I hate so much all kind of subscriptions that are robbing out people (even though there might be no use at all for the service).

I disagree. With the standalone you get a license for one computer for $150. With 365 it's $99 (or $69 with easy-to-find discounts) for up up FIVE people to use at the same time.

 

[UK-MacAddict]

I hate subscription models for stuff like this. I usually buy this pay once and done model but they've recently announced they will stop support around the 5 year mark after release. So basically pushing people onto the 365 subscription for future security.

 

[UK-MacAddict]

Its a shame what he's saying is what Apple has become since he passed.

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

No productivity suite rivals Office. Apple is known for choosing its battles and this is one fine example.

 

[jasperj8]

Anyone who purchased this or have it installed through other channels? I was told the “about” still says Office Home and Business 2021 despite with 2024 copyright. Version 16.91

Thank you.

 

[Trusteft]

It requires a MS account and Internet connection when you install/configure it. After that, it only needs to be able to "phone home" through Internet within a 30 or 45 days period.

So you can use it offline for a few weeks.

Thanks for the info. Not good, but ok.

 

[Daul]

I've always been curious: To those of you who use MS Office on your Mac, what makes you decide to use those programs oppsed to Keynote, Pages, and Numbers?

The interface for the Apple apps is extremely unintuitive and too simplistic for serious use. It’s like Numbers is built for formatting and charts rather than serious data analysis. Literally anything I try to do besides typed formulas and formatting I have to look it up and even then it’s cumbersome. It’s also just missing features.
I don’t have this problem with MS Office or Google Suite or Libre Office. Those all work as expected and I rarely have to google how to do something.

 

[Daul]

that price is way too high.

Considering how vital MS Office is for businesses and students it’s actually a bargain. By comparison, others like Adobe and Autodesk are getting away with highway robbery.