While the 2019 version of Microsoft Office is now available for PC and Mac users, many people are still stuck in the past. With some older versions still in operation and many no longer applicable, it is important to understand the different versions and why it is time to upgrade.
As Microsoft continues to work on Office and improve it, you can rest assured that every version is made to be better than the last. Fixing problems, making things easier to use, and adding new features make Microsoft Office the go-to for all your home, school and office needs.
Over the years, there have been many different versions of Microsoft Office and seeing just how much they differ not only should prove to you that Microsoft Office has your best interest at heart but also inspire you to upgrade to the newest version to take full advantage of all that Office 2019 has to offer.
Early Office Releases (1989-1994)
The first version of Microsoft Office available for Mac users was an Early Office release in 1989. This was originally a limited-time promotion for Mac users from Microsoft and featured Word 4.0, Excel 2.2, PowerPoint 2.01, and Mail 1.37.
In 1991, Microsoft introduced Office 1.5 for Mac users with an updated version of Excel to the 3.0 version and was also designed to work on Apple’s System Seven operating system.
Microsoft Office 3.0 was introduced in 1992 and updated the Word, Excel and PowerPoint systems. Word was updated to 5.0, Excel became the 4.0 version, and PowerPoint introduced 3.0. Mail Client was also updated, and Office included support for AppleScript.
1994 was the final year of Early Office releases, providing Mac users with Microsoft Office 4.2. This included Word 6.0, Excel 5.0, PowerPoint 4.0 and Mail 3.2. This was the last year of early releases because many users complained that the 4.2 version of Microsoft Office was too much like a Windows PC and not enough like a Mac.
Microsoft Office 1998
To meet the needs of Mac users and make it more applicable to that specific system, Microsoft announced Office 98. This featured updates to the basic things provided and several new features to make Office more Mac-like. This included access to the web browsers Internet Explorer 4.0 and Outlook Express. They also included drag-and-drop installation, Quick Thesaurus, QuickTime movies and self-repairing applications.
Microsoft Office 2001
In 2000, Microsoft announced Office 2001, which would end up being the last update supported by the classic Mac operating system. It also introduced the Entourage feature that helped users manage emails, calendars, address books and task lists.
Microsoft Office v.X
Designed for the Mac X operating system, Microsoft Office v.X included Word X. Excel X, PowerPoint X, Entourage X, an MSN messenger and Windows Media Player 9. The v.X version ended in 2007 when the Mac operating system moved on from the X operating system. This was also the last system to support the browser Internet Explorer for Mac computers.
Microsoft Office 2004
In May of 2004, Microsoft released its final version of Office to be used exclusively for PowerPC. It included updated versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Entourage and Virtual PC. The Notebook Layout was also introduced in the 2004 version of Microsoft Office for Mac.
This allows users to utilize a lined paper format and divider tabs to type in, drag and drop notes, and even Audio Notes so you can record and dictate information directly into the document. You can also convert pre-existing documents into a Notebook Layout without retyping everything.
Microsoft Office 2008
Microsoft’s 2008 version of Office was designed to look similar to the 2004 version but incorporate new features and updates.
The layout of Office 2008 was ideal for those who didn’t want to have to familiarize themselves with yet another new version of Office but still get updated features.
The new things introduced to Microsoft Office in 2008 included saving PDFs, supporting Automator functions, and the My Day feature in Entourage.
Microsoft Office 2011
Once again updating the basics like Word, Excel and PowerPoint, the Microsoft 2011 version of Office finally included Outlook. Microsoft introduced Outlook between the 2008 and 2011 versions of Office, but it wasn’t officially part of the Office package until 2011.
Microsoft Office 2016
As the only previous version of Microsoft Office still available on some operating systems (support ended in 2020), Office 2016 took the best of previous versions. It made it even more customized and thought through to make users get a smooth and simple experience.
Fullscreen views and touchscreen features make Microsoft Office 2016 ideal for desktops and laptops, smartphones, tablets and other smart devices powered by Apple operating systems.
Office 2016 is cloud connected and makes it easy to share work with others and create a more collaborative experience. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote are all updated and easy to use, and the entire system incorporates input from tens of thousands of Mac users to make it as great as possible.
Microsoft Office 2019
Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac combines all the amazing features that the 2016 version had as well as many new ones to make it the best version of Office yet.
Designed to give you everything you need to create stunning presentations, well-written documents, accurate spreadsheets and hands down the most collaborative experience to make working together simple and easy, Office 2019 is a prime example of why so many Mac users choose Microsoft.
Microsoft Office 2021
Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac marked a continuation of Microsoft's focus on providing a reliable, one-time purchase productivity suite for users who don’t want to subscribe to Microsoft 365. It introduced some notable updates that made it feel modern without overhauling the familiar experience.
The suite focuses on stability and compatibility with macOS, offering an updated interface and modest performance improvements compared to earlier versions like Office 2019. While it introduces some modern features, it remains largely traditional, catering to those who value offline functionality and ownership of their software.
While these updates were nice, the overall feel of Office 2021 was evolutionary rather than revolutionary. It was aimed at users who wanted a dependable set of tools without needing ongoing payments or constant updates.
Microsoft Office 2024
Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac builds on the foundation of previous versions while modernizing the experience with a refreshed interface and enhanced features. It adopts Microsoft's Fluent Design principles, creating a cleaner, more cohesive look that aligns seamlessly with macOS Ventura and later versions. This version is optimized for Intel-based Macs and Apple Silicon devices, ensuring compatibility.
Office 2024 introduces functional upgrades across its applications:
- Word 2024 includes session recovery for unsaved documents and better support for the latest OpenDocument formats.
- Excel 2024 adds advanced text manipulation functions like TEXTSPLIT and dynamic charts that automatically update with changes in data arrays.
- PowerPoint 2024 incorporates creative tools like live camera feeds embedded into slides and a recording studio for narrations.
- Outlook 2024 benefits from smarter search capabilities and gesture-based navigation tailored for macOS devices.
These updates reflect Microsoft's effort to balance modern features with the offline-first nature of perpetual licenses.
While Office 2024 retains its offline capabilities, it also integrates cloud-based options for those who use OneDrive or SharePoint. This makes it suitable for users who want modern productivity enhancements without committing to the subscription model of Microsoft 365. It offers a polished experience that feels current while respecting the preferences of traditional software users.
Conclusion
Microsoft Office for Mac has gone through many different versions over the years and seems only to be getting better as time goes on.
As the newest version is coming out, Microsoft is continually working to bring new features and update existing ones to make Office look and work as well as possible on a Mac operating system.