Microsoft is reportedly discontinuing support for its Office apps encompassing Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook for Chromebook user come September 18. Chromebooks run on Google's Chrome OS—Linux-based operating system. The relatively inexpensive laptops can run Android apps available on the Play store.
The tech giant are not abandoning Chromebooks altogether, they just want encourage the user to transition to the web based version of the app. Microsoft has offered its Office suite to Chromebook users via Google Play store since 2017.
The decision
will be implemented by mid-September and although the apps will not be supported
by Microsoft anymore they will continue to function. Chromebook customers can
download Microsoft's Office apps from the Google Play store and use all their
features, though the Web experience with Microsoft 365 service provides enhanced
functionality.
The
information is delivered according to the email statement cited by TechCrunch, Microsoft stated that starting
September 18, Microsoft apps will be transitioned to Web experiences for
Chromebook users. This means after September 18, Microsoft will stop supporting
Office apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, so they will
not be updated or optimised further. Instead, Microsoft wants Chromebook users
to switch to the Web versions of these apps for “the most optimised experience”.
The statement reportedly reads, “In
an effort to provide the most optimised experience for Chromebook customers,
Microsoft apps (Office and Outlook) will be transitioned to web experiences
(Office.com and Outlook.com) on September 18, 2021”.
The Web
experience by the Microsoft offers Chromebook users to move to Microsoft 365
service, which provides additional functionality over individual apps.
TechCrunch also points out that the Web approach is better optimised for larger
screens than the apps. It further reveals that mobiles and tablets will
continue to be supported with Office apps.
Microsoft
has also shared steps for using Office on a Chromebooks via Web. All you require is a Microsoft account or any account associated with your Microsoft 365
subscription.
