Microsoft is about to launch Office 2024, the latest version of its iconic productivity suite. This new version of Office is generating a lot of interest among professionals and businesses eager to benefit from the latest and most efficient productivity tools. But what exactly does Office 2024 offer, and what significant innovations can we expect?
In this article, we will discuss the key points you need to know about Office 2024. We start with a general introduction to this new version, followed by a detailed overview of the new features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. We then look at the pros and cons of the perpetual license model of Office 2024 LTSC versus the Microsoft 365 subscription. Finally, we discuss the compatibility requirements, necessary configuration, pricing, and availability to help you make the right choice between Office Professional 2024 and Microsoft 365, depending on your needs.
General Presentation of Office 2024
Microsoft has confirmed that a new version of Office will be launched in 2024, marking a significant step for the software giant. This version, called "Microsoft Office 2024," will include new features and updates for all Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. The suite will be available for both Windows and Mac users, underscoring Microsoft's commitment to cross-platform compatibility.
Office 2024 will be offered in the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) with a perpetual license that does not require a subscription to Office 365. This will be a welcome change for those who prefer a one-time purchase over subscription-based models.
Two years after the release of Office 2021, Microsoft is preparing for a major update that will revolutionize the way we use the software in our daily work. With advancements in AI and cloud technology, Office LTSC 2024 aims to improve collaboration, productivity, and efficiency for both individual users and businesses.
Release Date of Microsoft Office 2024
Microsoft Office 2024 is expected to be released in the course of 2024, with a preview version available for testing in the first half of the year. This allows users to experience the new features firsthand and provide feedback to improve the final version.
Preview of Microsoft Office 2024
Microsoft has announced the availability of the preview of Microsoft Office 2024 for users who want to try some of the new features before the official release. The trial version of Office 2024 gives us an early look at the upcoming updates, allowing users to provide feedback and suggestions for improvements.
The preview of Microsoft Office 2024 will be available for download from Microsoft starting in April 2024. Please note that preliminary versions are subject to change and may not include all the features that will be available in the final version.
One of the major changes in the upcoming version is the removal of Microsoft Publisher from the Office suite. This decision has elicited mixed reactions from users because Publisher is a popular tool for creating and designing documents and marketing materials. However, with the rise of online publishing and design tools, Microsoft has decided to remove Publisher and focus on other core applications such as Word and PowerPoint.
New Features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Microsoft Office 2024 brings numerous improvements and new features to its main applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Here is an overview of the main innovations:
New Meeting Options in Outlook
Outlook 2024 makes scheduling online meetings easier with new built-in options:
- Automatically add an online meeting link to all invitations, either via Teams or Skype for Business, depending on your organization's configuration.
- Choose the default online meeting provider (Teams, Skype, or partners) directly in the Outlook settings.
- Share direct links to specific sheets of an attached Excel workbook so that participants can quickly access relevant data.
Improvements in the Search Function in Outlook
The search function in Outlook will undergo various optimizations in the coming months:
- Search across multiple accounts with combined results from all configured mailboxes (rollout planned for July 2024).
- Ability to get more than 1000 results for the same search query (January 2024).
- Recursive searches in folders and subfolders (November 2023).
- Improved search area interface for better visibility and contrast (September 2023).
New Features in Excel
Excel integrates new powerful formulas and usability improvements:
Function | Description |
TEXTSPLIT | Splits text into multiple columns/rows based on a delimiter |
TEXTBEFORE / TEXTAFTER | Retrieves the text before/after a specified delimiter |
VSTACK / HSTACK | Combines data ranges vertically or horizontally |
Pivot Table Details | New button to explore details of values in a pivot table |
REGEX Functions (Beta) | REGEXTEST, REGEXEXTRACT, and REGEXREPLACE to test, extract, or replace text using regular expressions |
Additionally, it is now possible to generate multiple or complex formula columns using the Copilot assistant, as well as new ways to interact with it (voice commands, contextual suggestions, etc.).
Thanks to these updates, the Office 2024 suite promises significant productivity gains while simplifying collaborative workflows. Users can look forward to these new capabilities that will ease their daily work.
Pros and Cons of Office 2024 Without a Subscription
Here are the pros and cons of choosing a non-subscription version of Office 2024:
Advantages of a Perpetual License for Office 2024
- No Recurring Costs: With a perpetual license, you pay only once to use Office 2024 as long as you want, without monthly or yearly payments.
- Full Offline Access: Once Office 2024 is installed, you can work offline without any restrictions, which is ideal for devices not constantly connected to the internet.
- Long-term Compatibility: Office 2024 is supported for 5 years, ensuring sustainable compatibility with your existing systems and files.
- Update Management: With a perpetual license, you decide when to perform updates, avoiding unexpected feature changes that could disrupt your workflow.
Disadvantages of Office 2024 Without a Subscription
- Limited Features: Office 2024 does not include certain advanced cloud features such as real-time collaboration or AI-driven automation, which are reserved for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
- No Mobile Access: Without a subscription, you cannot edit your Office documents on tablets or smartphones through the dedicated mobile apps.
- Limited Security Updates: Microsoft will provide security updates for Office 2024 only for a limited time, unlike ongoing updates for subscription versions.
- Higher Initial Costs: While more economical in the long term, purchasing an Office 2024 license represents a significant initial investment compared to a few months of Microsoft 365 subscription.
In short, Office 2024 without a subscription is suitable for users who value stability, mainly work offline on PC/Mac, and can do without certain cloud services. Microsoft 365 subscribers benefit from a more modern and collaborative experience at a regular financial commitment.
Compatibility and System Requirements for Office 2024
Office 2024 will be compatible with the latest versions of Windows and macOS and will offer editions in both 32-bit and 64-bit to meet the diverse needs of users.
Compatibility with Windows and Mac
Office 2024 for Windows will only work on Windows 11 and Windows 10 in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Windows ARM devices require Windows 11. For Mac computers, Microsoft's policy is to support the two latest versions of macOS. At the time of the release of Office 2024, this should include:
- macOS Sonoma (v14 2023)
- macOS Ventura (v13 2022)
- macOS Monterey (v12 2021)
Office 2024 will work on Mac computers with both Intel processors and Apple Silicon chips (M1/M2/M3), as with Office 2021.
32- and 64-bit Versions of Office 2024
Microsoft will offer Office 2024 in 32-bit and 64-bit editions, giving users flexibility depending on their system and specific needs.
Version | Advantages |
64-bit | - Access to more memory for large files and datasets |
- Better performance for complex calculations and heavy presentations | |
32-bit | - Compatibility with existing 32-bit add-ins and controls |
- Suitable for systems with limited resources |
By offering Office 2024 in various versions compatible with recent operating systems and the choice between 32- and 64-bit editions, Microsoft ensures that its office suite remains accessible and suitable for a wide range of users and configurations.
Pricing and Availability
Microsoft has not announced any price changes for Office 2024 compared to previous versions with a perpetual license.
Office 2024 Comparison with Microsoft 365
Office 2024 and Microsoft 365 have significant differences in terms of features and licensing models. While Office 2024 offers important improvements over the previous LTSC version, it will not provide the same cloud capabilities as Microsoft 365, such as real-time collaboration, AI-driven automation in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or cloud-based security and compliance features.
Key Differences Between Office 2024 and Microsoft 365
- Licensing Model: Office 2024 is offered with a "perpetual" license that is device-based without a subscription. The Microsoft 365 license is tied to a user and covers five devices.
- Support: Office 2024 will receive five years of standard support with no extended support.
- Features: Compared to Microsoft 365, Office 2024 will not include certain advanced features such as dictation in Word, the Editor in PowerPoint, data types in Excel, suggestions in Outlook, online storage, deployment via Intune, or access to Copilot.
- Updates: Office 2024 can receive security and quality updates but no feature updates, unlike Microsoft 365.
Use Cases for Office 2024 and Microsoft 365
Office 2024 LTSC | Microsoft 365 |
Devices that cannot accept updates for years | Full cloud experience with AI-driven automation and real-time collaboration |
Devices for process control that are not connected to the internet | Deployment options for offline scenarios such as computer labs |
Specialized systems running integrated applications that must remain unchanged | Access to Microsoft Copilot (subscription required) |
In short, Microsoft 365 offers a more secure, productive, and cost-effective solution in most scenarios, allowing customers to benefit from the power of AI with Copilot. Office 2024 remains suitable for situations requiring an unchanged offline solution. The choice depends on the specific needs of each organization in terms of connectivity, updates, and advanced features.
Conclusion
In summary, Office 2024 marks an important step in the evolution of Microsoft's productivity suite. With its new features and improvements in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, this version promises significant productivity gains for users. While the perpetual license model offers some advantages, it is important to weigh the pros and cons against the Microsoft 365 subscription, which offers a more modern and collaborative experience.
Regardless of your preference, Office 2024 remains a powerful and versatile solution compatible with the latest versions of Windows and macOS. To stay informed about the availability of Office 2024 with Softtrader, subscribe to our newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest news and benefit from practical tips to get the most out of this new version. Can't wait to get your hands on a solid productivity suite? Check out our Office 2021 offer!
Frequently Asked Questions
What innovations are introduced in MS Office 2024? MS Office 2024 in the Office LTSC version offers various innovations, including new options for organizing meetings and improvements in the search function in Outlook. Excel also has many new features such as advanced charts and dynamic tables. Additionally, this version offers improvements in performance, security, and accessibility.
What is the expected release date for Office 2024? Office LTSC 2024 will be available in a preview version from mid-April 2024, with an official release planned for the end of 2024.
Which version of Microsoft Office is recommended for intensive users? Microsoft recommends using Office 365 for those who need the latest features and services and make intensive use of the Office products. Office 365 offers the latest updates and innovations.
How does Microsoft Office differ from OpenOffice? OpenOffice has a more modest interface and requires time to get used to. The menus are spread across the entire workspace. In contrast, the interface of Microsoft Office is mainly organized at the top of the workspace, making access to tools and functions easier for users.
