The Office 2019 preview mostly adds features that have been in Office 365 for some time. That means functionality like improved inking, new animations in PowerPoint, and new formulas for Excel. Server admins, on the other hand, will see more manageability, voice, and security features. It currently includes Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access, Project, Visio, and OneNote, with a Mac preview in the coming months. The Windows 10 version will use Click-to-Run installation technology rather than an MSI file, which will only remain for server products. The tech reduces the Office installation time, and uses virtualization to allow multiple installs. All of this will be bundled into a static package so that users don’t have to worry about updates or subscription fees. The full release is expected in the second half of 2018, with a feature list now available here.
The Last Static Release?
However, the future of such a model is uncertain. Office general manager Jared Spataro has previously said Microsoft will take cues from its customers in regards to Office 2021. Despite some initial complaints, Office 365 has become a popular option. Home users can pay a yearly fee, and organizations get a number of extra benefits. For users on Windows 7 and 8.1, this will soon be the only choice, so it may be worth considering your options. Whatever the choice, you can sign up for the Office 2019 preview program via the official site. To do so, you much be registered with Microsoft Collaborate.
