Is Microsoft Office available on Google Play?

There's no official announcement from Microsoft -- at least so far -- but the company seems to have made Microsoft Office available to all Chromebook users.

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That discovery is courtesy of "Chrome Unboxed," which reported on November 22 that users of various Chromebook models were downloading the Office apps from the Google Play Store.

In 2014, Microsoft made the web versions of its Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote) available to Chromebook users. Subsequently, Microsoft made Office Mobile for Android available, and those Office apps worked on Chrome OS devices.

While users of some Chromebook models from various manufacturers previously reported they could get Microsoft Office from the beta of the Play Store, the apps were not generally available to all.

Microsoft officials told Chrome Unboxed last year that Microsoft was working with Google "to deliver the best experience for Chromebook users" and planned to make full Android versions of the Office apps available on all "compatible" devices by the time the Google Play Store on Chrome OS was no longer in beta. But since that time, Microsoft execs had not provided an update on when Office would be generally available on Chromebooks. In the interim, some have been using CrossOver to run Windows apps on their Chromebooks.

I've reached out to Microsoft for more specifics on Office on Chromebook availability, but no word back so far. Microsoft makes Office apps available for free to Android tablet users with devices with screens under 10.1 inches, but requires those with larger devices to have an Office 365 subscription to use these apps.

Update (November 30): Microsoft officials mentioned in passing the company's Office on Chromebook support in a blog post summarizing Office-related announcements for the month of November. Microsoft is categorizing the Office Mobile apps on Android (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote) for Chromebooks as a "preview." From that post:

"Office Mobile apps on Chromebook--Earlier this week, we released a preview of the Office Mobile apps for Google Chromebooks. These apps were originally designed for Android phones, and they're not yet fully optimized for the Chromebook form factor. We've done some initial work on the end user experience and want to gather customer feedback. As with all of our mobile apps, an Office 365 subscription is required to edit documents on devices with a screen size of 10.1 inches or greater."

Microsoft is positioning its Windows 10 S operating system, which runs Microsoft Store apps only, as an alternative to Chrome OS.

Related

• You can get all of the Microsoft Office suite apps on an Android device through the Google Play Store.
• Microsoft offers two ways to get the Office suite on Android — you can install the new integrated Office app or you can install separate apps for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.  
• You can use Microsoft Office for free on any Android tablet with a screen size of 10.1 inches or smaller. Any larger, and you need a Microsoft 365 subscription.

If you have an Android device, you can get Microsoft Office for your phone or tablet. While you don't get 100% of the features found in the desktop version of Office, you get the ability to view and edit documents in the palm of your hand. Many of these features are free, but you can get extra capabilities if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription. 

How to get Microsoft Office Suite on your Android device

There are two ways to get Office on your Android device. Microsoft now offers two versions of the suite for mobile devices. You can install a single, integrated app that combines many of the features of the individual Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps, or you can install each app individually. The advantage of the single Office app is that it consumes less space on your phone. In addition, the app combines the features of all the Office apps into a single editing and collaborating experience, which you might find more convenient than using three or four different apps.

• Install the new integrated Microsoft Office app from Google Play

Or, if you prefer, you can install each Office app individually. If you do this you'll get a few features that haven't yet found their way into the new integrated Office app:

• Install Microsoft Word from Google Play
• Install Microsoft Excel from Google Play
• Install Microsoft PowerPoint from Google Play
• Install Microsoft OneNote from Google Play

What you need to know about using Office on Android

No matter which way you choose to get Office, if this is your first time using Office on a mobile device, you might be a little confused by how the suite works – particularly, if you need to pay for using it or if it's free.

First, a word about the paid version: If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can log into that account from any of the Office apps to get to your OneDrive storage and library of existing Office documents. As a subscriber, you also get access to certain advanced features.

That includes track changes in Word, customizable pivot tables in Excel and the ability to read speaker notes while presenting in PowerPoint. If you have a subscription, you should log in to get the most out of the apps on your Android device. 

Even without a Microsoft 365 account, you can use Office on your Android device for free, including the ability to view documents and perform basic editing – as long as your device's display is 10.1 inches or less. If you are using Office on a tablet with a screen larger than 10.1 inches, you need a paid subscription to use Microsoft Office. 

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

• How to get the Microsoft Office Suite on your iPhone and use certain apps for free

• How to add a Microsoft Edge browser to your Windows PC if it isn't already installed

• Yes, you can use Microsoft Word on a Chromebook — here's how to install it

• How to view, add, or edit alt text on an image in Microsoft Word to help users with screen readers

• 'Can you get Microsoft Word on an iPad?': Yes, you can — here's how to download and set it up

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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