Roger Fingas
Microsoft on Thursday released a major update of Offce 2016 for the Mac, adding features such as real-time collaboration and automatic saves for cloud-based files.
In Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, the 16.9 update displays thumbnails in the upper-right corner, indicating who else is working on a document. In Word and PowerPoint specifically, flag icons show where edits are taking place — PowerPoint will also highlight any modified slides.
The new cloud save functions are related, since users can see each others' updates, and roll back to a previous version if someone makes a mistake or otherwise unwanted change.
All three core apps now provide fast access to frequently-used sites and groups through the Open menu.
Upgrades exclusive to Excel include new chart types, new functions, easier PivotTable chart modification through filters, and multi-threaded calculation for formulas.
PowerPoint has gained a QuickStarter that generates outlines for topics, even suggesting designs and talking points, and the ability to trim audio and video clips. A mouse can be used as a substitute laser pointer in Slide Show mode.
Outlook, finally, has picked up support for Google Calendar and Contacts, and two-finger trackpad gestures for archiving or deleting messages.
For Office owners, the new software can be downloaded by going into the Help menu of any app in the suite and selecting "Check for Updates."
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12 Comments
A major update to a product dated two years ago (2016). Ironic. You think if it was a major update, they'd release it as a new 2018 release.
Finally multi-threaded excel calculations. The PC version has had this for years (decade?).
You buried the lede. Official support for Google Calendar is the critical new feature here.
Has anyone gotten the two finger swipe to work in Outlook?
So does Outlook finally sync my Office 365 contacts and lists? Because it’s a missing feature now. I have to use the web interface to send a work email to s contact list, or be on my Windows machine physically at work.