Microsoft Office 2024 is Now Available for Macs and PCs: Standalone Version for Non-Subscribers

Microsoft has officially launched Microsoft Office 2024, a standalone version of its popular Office suite designed for those who don’t want to commit to a Microsoft 365 subscription. Available for both Mac and PC, this new release comes with the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, giving users access to the latest productivity tools with a one-time payment.

Priced at ₹9,199 for the Home edition and ₹27,999) for the Business edition, Office 2024 is a solid choice for consumers and small businesses looking to invest in the Office apps without recurring monthly or yearly fees.

What’s New in Microsoft Office 2024?

While Microsoft Office 2024 may not be tied to a subscription service, it still packs a number of updates and improvements that were previously exclusive to Microsoft 365 users. Microsoft last introduced a standalone version of Office in 2021, and the 2024 release builds on that, adding features aimed at improving performance, accessibility, and the overall user experience. Here's a breakdown of the key enhancements:

1. New Fluent Design and Accessibility Features

One of the most striking changes in Office 2024 is the adoption of Microsoft’s Fluent Design principles, which are aligned with the visual changes in Windows 11. These UI updates include a new default theme that makes the suite visually appealing and easier to navigate.

Additionally, Microsoft has focused on accessibility, making it easier for users to identify and fix potential accessibility issues in documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. This is particularly useful for creating content that is inclusive and accessible to everyone.

2. Major Updates to Excel 2024

Excel 2024 receives significant improvements in functionality and performance. A major highlight is the ability to reference Dynamic Arrays in charts, which means that charts can now automatically update with changing data, a feature that was previously locked to specific data points.

Another exciting addition is the new IMAGE function, allowing users to pull pictures from the web directly into spreadsheets. This streamlines the process of adding visual elements without leaving the application.

On top of that, Excel’s speed and stability have been enhanced, ensuring smoother performance even with complex and large datasets.

3. PowerPoint 2024’s Enhanced Features

PowerPoint 2024 adds several new tools designed to make presentations more dynamic and interactive. The Cameo feature allows you to insert a live camera feed into your slides, making it easier to engage with your audience during virtual presentations.

In addition, the new Recording Studio brings more professional-grade recording options, including the ability to narrate, add animations, transitions, and ink your slides for a more polished presentation.

PowerPoint now also supports closed captions and subtitles for videos and audio files, enhancing accessibility for all viewers.

4. Outlook 2024’s Improved Search and Usability

Outlook 2024 sees notable improvements in its search functionality, delivering more relevant results for messages, attachments, contacts, and calendar events. These updates are designed to save users time, especially when navigating through large email archives.

Additionally, Outlook for Mac users can now customize swipe gestures, further improving the overall usability of the app.

5. File Recovery and Document Reactions in Word 2024

For Word 2024, Microsoft has introduced a much-needed file recovery feature that automatically restores documents after an unexpected crash or power failure. This is a particularly useful addition for anyone who has lost work in the past due to software crashes.

Word and PowerPoint also now support reactions to comments, allowing users to like or react to comments directly within documents, which is a great tool for collaboration and feedback.

6. OneNote’s Enhanced Inking and Drawing Experience

OneNote 2024 users will benefit from an updated inking and drawing experience, making it easier to take notes or sketch directly in the app.

Office 2024: Two Editions and Pricing in India

Microsoft Office 2024 will be available in two editions:

• Office Home 2024: Priced at ₹9,199 this edition includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for PC or Mac.

• Office Home and Business 2024: Priced at ₹27,999, this edition also includes Outlook and grants users the rights to use the apps for commercial purposes.

Both versions require a Microsoft account and an internet connection for installation, activation, and security updates. Office 2024 will be compatible with Windows 10 and 11, as well as the three most recent releases of macOS.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Office 2024 offers a robust set of tools and new features for both home and business users who prefer the traditional one-time purchase model over a subscription. With improvements across core applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, this latest release ensures that users can stay productive with updated tools and features, all without the need for ongoing payments.

For Indian users, the ₹9,199 and ₹27,999 pricing makes Office 2024 a competitive option for those seeking to invest in reliable, long-term productivity software without the overhead of a subscription.

Stay tuned to Kushal Bharat Tech News for more updates on Microsoft Office 2024 and the latest in tech!