How to Use the Office App for Windows

All about the MS Office app on Windows 10

What to Know

  • In the Microsoft Store app, update your My Office app, or search for Office > Install > Launch.
  • To upload files to your OneDrive, select a file > Upload and Open.
  • New Office app will link you to the free online version of Office apps.

This article explains how to use the Office app for Microsoft 365 on Windows 10.

How to Download the New Office App

If you already had the My Office app installed on your Windows 10 devices, you only need to update the app from the Microsoft Store to get the latest version of the app. If you never had the Office app, then you can follow a few simple steps to get it installed.

  1. Launch the Microsoft Store app.

    Microsoft Store
  2. Search for Office.

    search for Office
  3. Locate the Office app and select Install.

    Install Office app
  4. Once you the app installs, select Launch to start using the new Office app.

    Launch Office app

Office App vs. My Office

Before jumping into details on how to use the new Office app, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between the previous My Office app and the new Office app.

Similarities Between the Office App and My Office App

  • They're available to download for free in the Microsoft Store.
  • They grant you an overview of your Microsoft 365 account, as well as access to your subscriptions, payments, and billing information.
  • They have Quick links to your documents.
  • They have a section for Programs so you can launch any of the office apps.

Difference Between the Office App and My Office App

The main difference between the My Office app and the new Office app is the new version will link you to the free Office Online version of these apps if it doesn't detect the Microsoft 365 apps installed.

Office App

If your file is stored locally, it will ask you to upload it to your OneDrive first before it will allow you to open it.

What Else Can the New Office App Do?

In addition to the features mentioned above, the Office app also provides a few more capabilities and enhancements to your Office account:

  • Access to all files: The Office app also gives you full access to all your Office files, no matter where these documents are stored, locally or the cloud. It will list your documents from all your Office apps under Documents, with the most recently accessed files at the top of the list.
  • Tutorials: It provides tutorial links for all the Office Online products. Just select the Explore all your apps link section, then select the app you'd like to learn about.
  • Shared files: All files are shared with your Microsoft account, which makes accessing them easy, no matter where you access the Office app from.
  • Access to all Office apps: You can launch any Office app from a single location. Once again, if you have the Office app installed locally, the application itself will launch, otherwise, it will attempt to open the online version of it.
  • OneDrive support: The Office app will also upload files to your OneDrive account. Any file stored locally can be uploaded to OneDrive to be edited within an Office Online app. Just select the file, then select Upload and open.
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