Microsoft has just released a preview version of Office 2016. Currently available for download, the new public preview is available to Office 365 subscribers (with Pro Plus subscriptions), non-subscribers, and both home and enterprise users. Interested users can download the trial version here.
The first preview was released in March 2015, which was chiefly for IT pros and developers. The current preview will offer support to Windows 7, 8, and Windows 10 PCs, laptops, and tablets, according to Tech FirstPost. However, users must first uninstall Office 2013 for the new version to work.
Microsoft announced the preview on its blog. The company also said that it is working on a universal version of its top key Office apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook for Windows 10 devices, which will be made available to users via the Windows 10 Store. Consequently, another version for Windows 10 Mobile touch-first mobile apps is due to arrive in the coming weeks.
Microsoft is boosting Office 2016's cloud connectivity enhancements, and users can expect new features from the suite. One of which, is Clutter - which will rank your emails and display important messages first. The remaining messages will then be stored in a folder, with the same name - Clutter. Another is Tell Me, which offers commands that act as a search tool, thereby getting things done by just typing it out. Also included are integration with Power BI and more lockdown/rights management capabilities, says ZDNet.
Users can also expect an enhanced user experience from the old programs. Excel 2016 features new data analysis tools, which includes a one-click future trends forecasting for data series, an integrated Power Query to connect various data sources such as SAP Business Objects or Hadoop, improved Power Pivot features, and updated chart and graph capabilities, reports V3.
Things will also be easier for administrators as integration with ConfigMgr in Office 2016 will make the download and distribution of updates to users much simpler. At the same time, administrators can manage the pace at which they receive feature updates and bug fixes, while also receiving regular security updates.
"Since March, we've shared glimpses of what's to come in Office 2016," the Office marketing group's general manager Jared Spataro said in a blogpost. "Today we'd like to give a more holistic view of what customers at home and work can expect in the next release."
Microsoft says that the Office 2016 Preview is still a work in progress, and not all new features are currently available. Nonetheless, new features will still be added to the preview from now until the scheduled release in autumn.
