The latest versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint mark the first major update to the Mac lineup since 2011.

As with other releases, Microsoft is using the preview period to get feedback on the software before pushing out the final release this summer.

Weve been testing out the new Office apps for several days now and can confirm they are a huge improvement.

Microsoft Excel Preview License Once They

The suite is completely free while in preview (but will require an Office 365 subscription or perpetual license once they are formally released.).

Its not quite as good as Google Drives (instead of updating conversations in real time it shows notifications for new updates) but its a big improvement and a feature that has been missing from the Mac version of the apps for too long.

Theres also a separate panel for managing all the animations within your presentation.

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For those who built macros in preceding Mac editions, this is a big loss.

You must have a Microsoft account with an active Office 365 subscription in order to download and install the software.

Pros Moving to the cloud: Like the other apps in the latest Mac Office suite, Excel 2016 lets you store, sync, and edit files online, via Microsofts OneDrive cloud storage service.

Collaborate: Excel 2016, through OneDrive, lets you share documents with colleagues and collaborate in real time.

You can chat online as well, either through a document chat window or through Skype.

Modern design: The redesigned ribbon for the Mac version of Excel borrows the look and feel of its Windows counterpart, presenting tools and formatting options in much the same way as Excel for Windows does.

Excel also recommends appropriate charts based on spreadsheet data.

Moving across platforms: Excel 2016 supports many of the Windows keyboard shortcuts and most of the Excel 2013 for Windows functions, which should make it easier to use the tool across platforms.

The update also includes an Analysis ToolPak add-in, PivotTable slicers for analyzing data, and an improved formula builder.

Cons Macro limits: Prior to Office 2016, you could build macros in Excel for Mac.

The 2016 edition offers what Microsoft calls a simplified Visual Basic Editor (VBE), which allows you to debug existing macros.

But if you want to build new macros, you need to do that on the Windows side or use an earlier Mac version.

Microsoft Excel Preview Upgrade Just Based

Bottom Line Excel 2016 is probably worth the upgrade just based on its ability to take advantage of OneDrive.

The new analysis tools and formula builder help keep Microsofts spreadsheet an essential tool.

Hobbling its macros tool, however, diminishes a bit of the attraction for serious users.

More Resources Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac LibreOffice Google Drive Apps.

Microsoft Excel For Mac Preview