Official, full-featured Microsoft Office apps just arrived on Chromebooks
Full-featured versions of Microsoft Office apps are now available in the Google Play Store for Chromebooks.
Although the Chrome OS-specific Office apps have apparently been in the works for some time, today a Google representative confirmed with Mashable that the apps -- full-featured versions -- are now available for Chromebooks.
After Chrome Unboxed spotted the apps, we successfully downloaded and ran Word and PowerPoint to a Samsung Chromebook Pro.
The news was first spotted by the website, and it made sure the apps were visible on a Pixelbook, a Samsung Chromebook Pro, an Acer Chromebook 15, and an Acer C771.
Previous attempts by Chromebook users to download MS Office apps resulted in frustration. When attempting to download the apps, some users in the Google Play Store were told their devices simply weren't compatible with the Microsoft apps.
Google Play lists the apps as "free" downloads, but the label is misleading. To use Office apps on a larger device (defined as having a screen bigger than 10.1 inches) for anything other than viewing documents, you'll need a Microsoft Office 365 subscription, which starts at $6.99 a month.
For those fond of Office -- or perhaps need it for work or school -- this certainly could make using a Chromebook a more attractive and useful option.
Representatives for Microsoft didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mark was the science editor at Mashable. After working as a ranger with the National Park Service, he started a reporting career after seeing the extraordinary value in educating people about the happenings on Earth, and beyond.
He's descended 2,500 feet into the ocean depths in search of the sixgill shark, ventured into the halls of top R&D laboratories, and interviewed some of the most fascinating scientists in the world.
