Microsoft Office 2021 is the latest perpetual (non-subscription-based) version of Microsoft’s Office productivity suite, released in October 2021. It includes a variety of applications designed for personal, educational, and business use. Here’s an overview of the key features and applications included in Office 2021:
Key Features of MS Office 2021:
1. Improved Performance and Speed:
– Optimized for better performance and faster startup times compared to previous versions.
– Includes updated security patches and bug fixes.
2. Co-Authoring:
– Similar to the collaboration features in Microsoft 365, Office 2021 offers improved co-authoring features.
– Multiple users can work on documents simultaneously in apps like Word and PowerPoint, making collaboration easier.
3. New Features in Key Apps:
– Word: New tools such as “Translate,” improved inking features, and the ability to add and manage comments for easier collaboration.
– Excel: New functions like XLOOKUP and dynamic arrays, which simplify tasks such as data analysis, sorting, and filtering.
– PowerPoint: Enhanced features for presentations, including better support for 4K video, new transitions, and improved slide show management.
– Outlook: Enhanced user interface and improved management of tasks, calendar, and contacts.
4. Dark Mode:
– Dark mode is now available across most of the apps in Office 2021, reducing eye strain during prolonged use, especially for users working in low-light environments.
5. Performance Enhancements:
– Faster Excel calculations, improved memory handling, and overall faster application performance.
6. Updated Microsoft Teams Integration:
– MS Office 2021 includes better integration with Microsoft Teams, facilitating collaboration, especially for users who rely on the application for meetings, chatting, and file sharing.
Applications Included in MS Office 2021:
1. Word 2021: A powerful word processing program with features such as formatting tools, templates, grammar and style checking, and more.
2. Excel 2021: Spreadsheet software used for data analysis, calculations, charting, and business intelligence tasks.
3. PowerPoint 2021: Presentation software with tools for creating slideshows, adding animations, and presenting data visually.
4. Outlook 2021: Email and calendar management tool with enhanced organizational tools, contacts management, and task scheduling.
5. Access 2021: Database management software, used for creating custom databases for tracking business data and generating reports.
6. Publisher 2021: Desktop publishing software used for creating brochures, newsletters, and other printable documents.
Availability:
– MS Office 2021 is available in two editions: Home & Student 2021 (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Home & Business 2021 (which includes all of the above plus Outlook).
– It is a one-time purchase, meaning there’s no subscription fee, but users will not receive continuous feature updates like those available in **Microsoft 365**.
Conclusion:
Microsoft Office 2021 is ideal for users who prefer a one-time purchase over a subscription model. It brings improved features, better performance, and a modern interface, making it a solid choice for home, school, and business users. However, if you require frequent feature updates or access to additional cloud-based services, Microsoft 365 (the subscription-based model) might be a better fit.