Microsoft Office facts for kids
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| Developer(s) | Microsoft | ||||||||
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| Initial release | October 1, 1990 | ||||||||
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| Written in | C++ (back-end) | ||||||||
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows, macOS | ||||||||
| Successor | Microsoft 365 | ||||||||
| Standard(s) | Office Open XML (ISO/IEC 29500) | ||||||||
| Available in | 102 languages | ||||||||
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List of languages
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| Type | Office suite | ||||||||
| License | Trialware, volume licensing or SaaS | ||||||||
Microsoft Office for Mobile apps on Windows 10
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| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
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| Initial release | April 19, 2000 |
| Stable release |
17.0 / October 2021
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| Operating system | Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone, iOS, iPadOS, Android, ChromeOS |
| Platform | Smartphones and Tablet computers |
| Type | Productivity software |
| License | Proprietary software: |
Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac apps from top left to bottom right: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
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| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
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| Initial release | August 1, 1989 |
| Stable release |
Microsoft Office 2021
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| Written in | C++ (back-end), Objective-C (API/UI) |
| Operating system | macOS Classic Mac OS (discontinued) |
| Available in | 16 languages |
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List of languages
English, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish, Swedish
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| Type | Office suite |
| License | Proprietary commercial software (retail, volume licensing, SaaS) |
Microsoft Office, often just called Office, is a group of computer programs and online services made by Microsoft. It helps people create and manage documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. Bill Gates first announced it on August 1, 1988.
At first, Office was a package of three main programs: Microsoft Word (for writing), Microsoft Excel (for numbers), and Microsoft PowerPoint (for presentations). Over time, these programs gained many shared features, like a spell checker. Microsoft Office is available for computers running Microsoft Windows and macOS. There are also versions for mobile devices like Android phones and iOS (Apple) devices. You can even use a version of Office right in your web browser, called Office on the web.
Since Office 2013, Microsoft has offered Office through a subscription service called Microsoft 365. This means you pay a regular fee to use the software and get updates. This subscription model has become very popular, even more so than buying a one-time license for the software. In 2022, Microsoft started to change the name of "Microsoft Office" to "Microsoft 365" for many of its products, but they later decided to keep the "Office" name for some traditional versions.
What's Inside Microsoft Office?
Microsoft Office comes with many different programs and services to help you with school, work, and personal projects.
Main Programs and Services
- Microsoft Word is a program for writing and editing documents. You can use it to write essays, reports, letters, and more. It was first released in 1983.
- Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program. It's great for organizing numbers, making calculations, and creating charts. It helps you keep track of data, like grades or budgets.
- Microsoft PowerPoint helps you create slideshows. You can combine text, pictures, and other things to make presentations for school projects or speeches.
- Microsoft OneNote is like a digital notebook. You can type notes, draw, add pictures, or even record audio. It's a great way to keep all your ideas organized.
- Microsoft Outlook is an app for managing your emails, calendar, tasks, and contacts. It helps you stay organized and communicate with others.
- Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage service. This means you can save your files online and access them from any device with an internet connection.
- Microsoft Teams is a platform for group work. It combines chat, video calls, notes, and file sharing, making it easy for teams to work together.
Programs for Windows Computers
These programs are usually only available on Windows computers:
- Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing app. It's used for designing things like brochures, cards, newsletters, and other printed materials.
- Microsoft Access is a database program. It helps you organize and manage large amounts of information, like customer lists or inventory.
- Microsoft Project is a program for managing projects. It helps you plan tasks, track progress, and make sure projects stay on schedule.
- Microsoft Visio is an app for creating diagrams and flowcharts. It helps you visualize processes, systems, and other complex information.
Programs for Mobile Devices
These apps are designed for phones and tablets:
- Office Lens is a scanner app for mobile devices. It uses your phone's camera to scan documents, whiteboards, or business cards and turns them into digital files.
- Office Mobile is a combined app for Android and iOS. It brings Word, Excel, and PowerPoint together into one app, making it easier to work on documents on the go.
- Office Remote lets your mobile device act as a remote control for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on your computer.
Online Services
Microsoft also offers many Office services that you can use through a web browser:
- Microsoft Sway is a web app for creating interactive presentations and reports.
- Microsoft Forms lets you create online surveys and quizzes.
- Microsoft To Do helps you manage your tasks and to-do lists.
- Outlook.com is a free web-based email service.
- Microsoft Planner is a planning app for teams using Microsoft 365.
- Microsoft Stream is a video sharing service for businesses and schools.
- Microsoft Bookings helps you manage appointments and bookings.
Office on the Web
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Clockwise from top left: Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint in Office on the web as of September 2018[update]
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Type of site
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| Owner | Microsoft |
| Created by | Microsoft |
| Commercial | Freemium |
| Registration | Mandatory for webmail and file sharing; optional for others |
| Launched | June 7, 2010 |
Office on the web is a free, simpler version of Microsoft Office that you can use in your web browser. It includes online versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You can also access Outlook.com, OneNote, and OneDrive from the same place.
These online apps can open, edit, and save common Office files. You can also open older Office files, but they will be converted to newer formats if you want to edit them online. Files with special features like macros or passwords cannot be fully used in the web apps.
Office on the web doesn't have all the advanced features of the full desktop versions. However, you can easily open a document in the desktop app if you need more tools. Office on the web works with most modern web browsers like Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari. You can use it for free with a Microsoft account.
Most versions of Microsoft Office have a similar look and feel. For example, the "Ribbon" menu, which organizes tools into tabs, was first introduced in Office 2007. This design has even influenced how other Microsoft programs, like those in Windows 7, look.
Office programs can open and edit files saved on cloud services like OneDrive, allowing you to work on your documents from anywhere.
File Types
Before Office 2007, Microsoft Office used its own special file types. This meant that if you wanted to share files, everyone needed to use Microsoft Office. In 2008, Microsoft made information about these file types available for free.
Starting with Office 2007, the main file types became "Office Open XML" files (like .docx, .xlsx, .pptx). These are more open and can be used by other office programs too. Microsoft also made tools to help older versions of Office open these new files. Office 2010 and later versions can also open and save files in the OpenDocument Format (ODF).
Microsoft also provides tools to remove hidden information, called "metadata," from Office documents. This helps protect your privacy by removing details like who created the document or when it was last saved.
Adding More Features
A cool thing about Office is that people can create "add-ins" or "plugins" to make the programs do even more. These are like small apps that you can add to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. For example, you might find an add-in that helps you create special charts or translate text.
Developers can sell these add-ins in the Office Store. When you open a document that uses an add-in, you might be asked to download it or start a free trial. Companies can also create their own special add-ins for their employees to use.
Password Protection
Microsoft Office has a security feature that lets you protect your documents with a password. This means only people who know the password can open or change your Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Access files. The passwords use strong encryption to keep your information safe.
Support for Office Versions
Microsoft provides support for its Office products for a certain amount of time after they are released. This support includes security updates and technical help. Older versions of Office, like Office 2000 to Office 2016, usually received ten years of support. However, newer versions like Office 2019 and Office 2021 have shorter support periods.
Where You Can Use Office
Microsoft Office works on many different devices:
- Windows computers: This is the most common place to use Office.
- macOS computers: Office has special versions for Apple's Mac computers.
- Mobile devices: There are Office apps for Windows phones, Android phones and tablets, and Apple iPhones and iPads.
The Mac and Windows versions of Office have been able to share the same file types for a long time, making it easy to work on documents across different computers.
How to Get Office
You can get Microsoft Office in a few ways:
- Buying it once: You can buy a version like "Home & Student" or "Home & Business" with a one-time payment. These versions don't get major new features, just security updates.
- Subscription (Microsoft 365): This is the most popular way now. You pay a regular fee (monthly or yearly) for Microsoft 365. This gives you access to the Office programs on multiple devices, plus cloud storage and other online services. With a subscription, you always get the latest features and updates.
There are different Microsoft 365 plans for families, businesses, and schools. Students can often get special deals or even free access to some Office apps through school programs.
Programs and Features That Are No Longer Available
Over the years, Microsoft has stopped offering some Office programs and features. Here are a few examples:
- Binder: Used to combine several documents into one file.
- FrontPage: A program for creating websites.
- InfoPath: Used for designing and filling out electronic forms.
- Office Assistant: This was a helpful animated character, often a paperclip named "Clippy," that offered tips and help.
- Office Picture Manager: A basic photo management program.
- Skype for Business: An app for instant messaging and video calls in a business setting.
History of Office Releases
Microsoft Office has changed a lot since it first came out.
Windows Versions
- Early Versions (1990s): Microsoft Office for Windows first came out in October 1990. It included Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Microsoft Office 95: Released in 1995, this was a fully 32-bit version designed for Windows 95. It added programs like Schedule+ and Binder.
- Microsoft Office 97: This version, released in 1997, brought many new features, including the "command bars" that combined menus and toolbars. It also introduced the Office Assistant.
- Microsoft Office 2000: Released in 1999, it introduced "adaptive menus" that hid less-used options. It also added security features for macros.
- Microsoft Office XP: Released in 2001, it brought a "Safe Mode" for apps that wouldn't start. It was also the first version to require product activation to prevent piracy.
- Microsoft Office 2003: Released in 2003, this version had a new logo and introduced InfoPath and OneNote.
- Microsoft Office 2007: A big change in 2007 was the new "Fluent User Interface" with the Ribbon menu. It also introduced new XML-based file formats.
- Microsoft Office 2010: Released in 2010, this was the first version available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. It added new collaboration tools.
- Microsoft Office 2013: Released in 2013, it had a new look based on the "Metro" design of Windows Phone and Windows 8.
- Microsoft Office 2016: Released in 2015, it included the new Skype for Business app and introduced Microsoft Teams for group collaboration.
- Microsoft Office 2019: Released in 2018, this version added more features for Windows 10 and macOS.
- Microsoft Office 2021: Released in 2021, it continued to offer a one-time purchase option.
- Microsoft Office 2024: Announced in 2023, this upcoming version will also be available for a one-time purchase.
Mac Versions
- Early Office for Mac (1989–1994): Microsoft Office for Mac came out in 1989, even before the Windows version. It included Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Mail.
- Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition: Released in 1998, this version was designed to feel more "Mac-like" and included Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.
- Microsoft Office 2001 and v. X: Office 2001 (2000) was the last for the classic Mac OS. Office v. X (2001) was the first for Mac OS X.
- Office 2004: Released in 2004, it was the last version built for older PowerPC Macs.
- Office 2008: Released in 2008, this was the first version to work natively on Intel-based Macs.
- Office 2011: Released in 2010, it was made only for Intel Macs and brought back Outlook to replace Entourage. It also introduced a Mac-based Ribbon menu.
- OneNote and Outlook Release (2014): Microsoft OneNote for Mac was released for free in 2014. Outlook 2016 for Mac also came out, requiring an Office 365 subscription.
- Office 2016: Released in 2015, this version included Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote for Mac.
- Office 2019 and 2021: These newer versions continued to be released for macOS, offering updated features.
Mobile Versions
- Early Office Mobile (1996 onwards): Originally called "Pocket Office," it was released in 1996 for Windows CE devices. It included Pocket Word and Pocket Excel. Over time, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook were added.
- Office Mobile 2010: Released with Windows Phone 7 in 2010. Users could access and edit documents directly from their OneDrive accounts.
- Office for Android, iOS and Windows 10 Mobile: Office Mobile was released for iPhone in 2013 and for Android phones in 2013. In 2014, Microsoft made the Android and iOS versions free for personal use. In 2015, Office apps were released for Android tablets and Windows 10 devices, optimized for touchscreens. In 2020, Microsoft launched a new combined Office mobile app for Android and iOS, bringing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint into one app.
Online Versions
- Office Web Apps (2008-2014): First shown in 2008, these were lightweight online versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. They allowed people to create, edit, and work together on documents using a web browser. The final version was released in 2010.
- Office Online (2014-2019): In 2014, Office Web Apps were renamed Office Online and became more integrated with other Microsoft web services like Outlook.com and OneDrive.
- Office for the web (2019-present): In 2019, Microsoft changed the name again to simply "Office," often called "Office for the web" or "Office in a browser."
Images for kids
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Microsoft Office 4.0, inside Windows 3.1
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Microsoft Office v. X box art
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Office Hub on Windows Phone 8 and 8.1
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Word on the iPhone
