Something strange is going on with Microsoft Office apps on ChromeOS

Date:
Mon, 02 Aug 2021 10:20:24 +0000

Description:
Some Chromebook users, when bringing up individual Office apps, are instead being redirected to web apps.

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Chromebook users have reported that some Microsoft Office tools no longer appear to be supported on their Chrome OS devices, which are pushing them towards web apps instead.

As reported by Windows Central , some Chromebook users who tried to launch certain Office apps on Android were greeted with this message: Go to Office.com: This version of the Office app is no longer supported. For the best and most recent experience with this device, go to Office.com

This prompted some to speculate that Microsoft could be favoring its web
apps, especially as the non-web services dont always provide a smooth user experience on Chromebooks, and often use more system resources compared to their web counterparts - which also dont take up any storage space on the device. Heres our list of the best productivity tools right now Weve built a list of the best free office software on the market Check out our list of the best collaboration tools available

On the other hand, theres the problem of being able to use the web apps while offline, and managing locally stored documents through a web app. Consolidation, not migration

However, About Chromebooks Kevin C. Tofel writes that this pivot into web
apps probably isnt happening, at all.

Although bringing up individual apps, for example Excel, will result in the popup message seen above, the apps can still be accessed through the central Office app.

Instead, I see Microsoft consolidating its Android apps to a degree because
it would rather people use all of its Office apps, not just a single one such as Excel, for example, Tofel said, before adding that Microsoft combined some of the main Office apps into a single suite in 2020.

Furthermore, individual Office apps can still be installed as PWA, it was said.

At the moment, not all of the users are being redirected, and Microsoft is keeping quiet on the matter. Here's our rundown of the best Office alternatives out there

Via: Windows Central



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/something-strange-is-going-on-with-microsoft-of fice-apps-on-chromeos/


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