Microsoft has released Office 2024, a new version of its productivity apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This version lets you buy the software once and own it forever, so you don’t need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use it.
You can get Office 2024 for both Mac and Windows. It costs $149.99 for the Home edition and $249.99 for the Home & Business edition. The Home edition is for personal use, while the Home & Business edition includes Outlook and can be used for work or commercial purposes. If you don’t need cloud features, Microsoft offers Office LTSC 2024 for a more traditional offline setup.
Office 2024 isn’t just a re-release as it comes with lots of new features:
Outlook: Now has better search options to find emails, attachments, contacts, and calendar entries faster and more easily.
Excel: Adds new tools for analyzing data, such as using dynamic arrays in charts and referencing images and text within your spreadsheets.
PowerPoint: Let you embed live camera feeds in your presentations. The inking tool is also better for note-taking and drawing.
Office 2024 has been available since October 1. You’ll need the latest macOS or Windows 10/11 to install it.
Microsoft also launched a new version of Windows 11 called 24H2, designed to work better with AI features. It’s available for PCs with and without Copilot (Microsoft’s AI assistant). The update introduces “Copilot Voices,” so you can talk to the AI like you would with Siri or Alexa, and “Copilot Vision” for improved visual interactions.
Office 2024 is perfect for anyone who prefers to pay once and own their software without monthly fees. With lots of new tools and improved performance, it’s a solid choice for both personal and business users. Combined with the AI-friendly features of the latest Windows 11, Microsoft is offering a complete package for anyone looking to boost their productivity.