Saturday, January 7, 2023

Actually, your Chromebook can run Microsoft word for free

January 07, 2023 Posted by Abrar ul haq No Comments

Actually, Microsoft Office Can Run on Your Chromebook

There are still many misconceptions about what Chromebook computers are capable of, whether you just acquired a new one for the holidays or want to use your current one more in the new year. One of the most common complaints that Microsoft Office cannot be used on Chromebooks. While it's true that Windows or Mac software, including the desktop versions of Microsoft Office programmes, cannot be installed directly on a Chromebook, there are other ways to use Microsoft's collection of productivity tools.

I'm not referring about the ones for Android either. The Android versions of Microsoft Office, Outlook, OneNote, and OneDrive are no longer supported on Chromebooks, despite the fact that these devices can run any of the millions of Android apps available from the Google Play store. But when the Chromebooks' support for Android apps ended, a different (and, in my opinion, superior) option replaced it.

Progressive web apps are similar to mobile apps for websites, but they include additional capabilities including offline use, taskbar pinning, support for push alerts and updates, and access to hardware functions. Microsoft Office 365 PWAs, such as Outlook and OneDrive, are available and excellent on Chromebooks.

You may still use Office on a Chromebook by going to these locations and installing the necessary software.

Activate Office 365

Go to Office.com, the homepage for Microsoft Office 365 online, by opening the Chrome browser. Sign in as usual if you already have an Office 365 account. You must set up an Office account if you don't already have one. Any personal email address is acceptable for the account, and creating one is simple: enter your email address, choose a password, validate your email address, and demonstrate that you are not a robot.

Install the Office 365 PWA

Click on the Install icon when it appears in your address bar, then follow the on-screen instructions.

CNET/Josh Goldman

After logging into Office 365 in Chrome, an Install icon will show up in the address bar's upper right corner. It resembles a computer monitor and has an arrow pointing down. When you click on it, a prompt to instal Office 365 will appear. Additionally, when you direct the browser to the particular apps, such as Word or Outlook, the same instal choice will show up in the address bar.

Installation proceeds quickly. A window that perfectly like the online edition of Office 365 opens shortly after.

It is essentially a browser window but with the features of Microsoft Office mobile apps.

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Ready to work.

A mobile app is exactly like a PWA.

CNET/Josh Goldman

You can simply resize the PWA because it functions like installed software and can be quickly pinned to the taskbar, get notifications, and work offline. Everything else is the same as when utilising the web versions. For the majority of things, I actually like the PWA versions better than the full Office files.

You still can't instal desktop programmes directly on a Chromebook if, after utilising PWAs, you start to miss their look, feel, and tools. However, there are other ways to use a Chromebook to run Windows applications.