Microsoft commences launch of Office 2016

Microsoft has commenced the worldwide launch of Office 2016, the latest version of its popular Office suite.

Office 2016 includes new versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Project, Visio and Access. It is available via Microsoft’s cloud-based service, Office 365, or as a stand-alone, one-time purchase.

The new suite boasts several improvements designed to simplify collaboration. These include co-authoring options — including real-time typing — for Word, PowerPoint and OneNote, Skype in-app integration and a new Outlook Groups app.

Microsoft has also announced plans to add new collaboration functions, including a dedicated planner app and improvements to OneDrive for business, in the near future.

Besides the collaboration enhancements, Microsoft has made new enhancements to the various components of Office, including an improved inbox for Outlook, a new way to search for Office features or commands, and a most recently used documents list that syncs across devices.  

Enterprise users will also be able to benefit from built-in data loss prevention that gives administrators tools to centrally manage, create and enforce content authoring and sharing policies.

Microsoft also plans to enable enterprise data protection with support for Office in Windows 10 later this year.

The new Office 2016 apps require Windows 7 or newer. Office 365 users can already download the new apps, or automatic updates will begin rolling out to consumer and small-business subscribers from next month. Enterprise users will have to wait until next year.

In Australia, Office 365 will be purchasable from retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, The Good Guys, Dick Smith and Harvey Norman.