HIGHLIGHTS

The free Office version displays advertisements on the sidebar and features 15-second video commercials.

Users are unable to save documents locally, with OneDrive being the exclusive option for file storage.

This evaluation version is missing key functionalities such as design tools in Word, macros in Excel, and dictation features in PowerPoint.

In an interesting development, Microsoft is currently testing a complimentary version of its well-regarded office suite aimed at Windows users. This new accessibility means that essential applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, can be utilized for free without necessitating a Microsoft 365 subscription. However, this free model comes with its own caveat: it will be heavily ad-supported, featuring advertisements prominently positioned in the right sidebar, as indicated in a recent Beebom report.

Reports suggest that this ad-supported initiative is in its testing stages and is only available to a select group of users in various countries, including India. During this testing phase, users have reported the presence of disruptive popup ads alongside their regular usage.

How This Version Will Operate

Those participating in the test version are encountering banners situated in the sidebar, along with 15-second video advertisements that appear after several hours of usage. Additionally, users are restricted from saving their documents locally, as local storage is disabled. Instead, OneDrive serves as the sole avenue for saving files.

As outlined in the report, Microsoft has clarified that this is a strictly controlled testing period, indicating that the company does not have imminent plans to roll out a free, ad-supported desktop version of Office in a broader context. Nevertheless, Microsoft is contemplating this direction as a means to enhance the accessibility of its Office applications while preserving the premium features available through the Microsoft 365 subscription.

Limitations of the Free Version

Furthermore, it was noted that this free version will not serve as a paid alternative, highlighting the absence of various critical features that many users rely on. Key functionalities like drawing and design tools in Word, add-ins, pivot tables, and macros in Excel, as well as dictation capabilities and custom slideshows in PowerPoint, will not be included in this version.

This initiative by Microsoft seems to coincide with its ongoing and aggressive efforts to incorporate AI features within its existing 365 subscriptions. Historically, the company has offered free versions of Office primarily on web platforms; thus, this new test may signal a significant shift in how Microsoft intends to distribute Office applications to its user base in the future. However, it remains uncertain whether Microsoft will continue to refine or expand its testing of this ad-supported model in the coming months.