Updated August 9, 2023
Microsoft Office Applications
The initial version of MS Office only comprised a few applications, including MS Word, MS Excel, and PowerPoint.
However, other new applications, such as MS Access and Outlook, were added to the suite over time. Microsoft has also been developing Office Business Applications specifically to provide a platform for business owners. MS Office is installed on Microsoft Operating System computers and Mac Computers, iOS, and Android OS. In addition, you can also get Office Online which is a web-based application for the Office.
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is a set of vital applications primarily known as Office Suite, which Microsoft has designed to smoothly and easily carry out different office tasks. Bill Gates, the Chairman of Microsoft Corporation, first launched it on August 1, 1988at COMDEX in Las Vegas, US. Four years ago, the users of MS Office had already crossed over one billion worldwide and were steadfastly growing with time. Whenever you buy a new desktop computer or a laptop, you will find that MS Office is already preinstalled in it most of the time. Recently, Microsoft launched its latest desktop version, Office 2016, for Windows and OS X on September 22 and July 9, 2015.
Top 6 Microsoft Office Applications of Desktop
#1 Microsoft Office Word
Out of all the different components, the Microsoft Word Processor is the most common and widely used application throughout the world. You can easily open the application on both Windows and Mac Operating Systems. Microsoft Office Word first came into existence in 1983, initially for the MS-DOS OS. That was after adding the mouse to the keyword, although it was unnecessary. People could buy Word 1.0 with a bundled mouse. The word for MAC OS was introduced a couple of years later, in 1985.
The Portable Document Format (PDF) and Open Document Format were first introduced in the 2007 version. Previously, the Word Processor was in the Doc format, but when the 2007 version was released, the format changed to Office Open XML. MS Word made typing of words and other documents very easy. Almost all content writing works and official documents or letters are typed in MS Word. You can save your written document, which can serve as a record.
#2 Microsoft Office Excel
When Microsoft initially introduced Microsoft Office Excel, it had to face stiff competition from Lotus 1-2-3 but outclassed it eventually. It is an application based on a spreadsheet and available on Windows and OS X. The Microsoft Office programs were launched for Mac OS in the same year as MS Word. However, the first Windows version came in November 1987. It was much better than the earlier one, offering more functions. It is used for storing data and is usually helpful in preparing ledger balances and maintaining accounts.
#3 Microsoft Office PowerPoint
The introduction of Microsoft Office PowerPoint has made presentations very simple. Thus, it is a presentation of Microsoft Office programs. With the help of the Microsoft Office Application, you can design creative and engaging slides by adding text, graphics, and other files such as images and videos. You can decorate the slides, make them colorful, and just put up a nice presentation to showcase your portfolio or sample in front of a client.
#4 Microsoft Office Outlook
Microsoft Office Outlook is another important and useful program that contains several vital features such as a client calendar, address book, e-mail, and task manager. However, it is different from Outlook Express, so do not assume both to be the same. Its main purpose is Windows Messaging.
#5 Microsoft Office OneNote
Microsoft Office OneNote is a free unique program where you can easily gather all personal information, such as bank account details, financial deals, and medical details, and store it safely. In addition, you can also note down small details and information about events and meetings. These notes can be typed or handwritten. This new feature has been recently added from the 2007 version and was not there in Microsoft 2003. You will also find this important application on your Windows and iOS phones.
#6 Microsoft Office Access
Microsoft Office Access is a database management system that acts as a merger of Microsoft Jet Database Engine and Graphical User Interface (GUI) and software developing applications. It can store the data in its configuration. It can connect you with data from other applications.
Some Other Extensively Used Microsoft Office Programs
The above-discussed applications are among the most popular Microsoft Office Programs. These are as follows-
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Skype
Most of you must be familiar with Skype, which has become exceedingly popular as a communication source related to business or personal interaction. You can video chat with a person face to face, even if they are in another country or continent. You have to call the person and open your web camera to see the person on your screen. This means you do not have to spend heavily on your international calls.
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Microsoft Office Picture Manager
It is a vital tool for Microsoft to help edit or resize your images. You can resize your picture according to the dimensions you wish and increase or decrease the brightness and contrast of the image.
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Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher is another desktop publishing application predominantly used for designing broachers, calendars, banners, greeting or visiting cards, newsletters, company letter pads, pamphlets, etc., to promote any product or use as advertising for the business.
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Microsoft Share Point Designer
Microsoft Office programs used as HTML editors for Windows develop the share point for the websites. You can download this application for free.
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Microsoft Project
As the name suggests, it is a project management Microsoft Office Program that can help develop Network and Grant charts. You can also keep a track record of the projects.
Smartphone Applications offered by Microsoft
Microsoft effectively provides some useful smartphone apps, specifically for office purposes. You can easily access them while you are not at your workplace. A few of them include-
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Office Remote
With the help of this unique app, you can convert your mobile phone into a remote control for the desktop versions of Word, Excel, and so on.
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Office Lens
This application is mainly useful for scanning images. First, you need to take a picture of the document or image through your mobile camera and then straighten the image. You can copy a file or image and paste it into the Word doc, Microsoft Office Excel sheet, and other desktop applications.
Now the Server Microsoft Office Applications
Microsoft offers some server applications in their Office version. These include-
- Microsoft Search Server
- InfoPath Form Services
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Lync Server
- Excel Services
- Microsoft Project Server
The Chronological Versions for the Windows
The history of the Microsoft Office Application takes us back to 1990 when the introduction of three different applications for Windows 3.0 took place. It included Microsoft Office Excel, MS Word, and c of versions 2.0, 1.1, and 2.0, respectively. However, MS Office 1.5 was later launched, which updated the set with Microsoft Office Excel 3.0.
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Microsoft Office Applications 3.0
Microsoft Office 3.0 was brought to the forefront in August 1992. Therefore, it is also popular as Microsoft Office 92. It had all the major office applications such as Word 2.0, Excel, 4.0, Microsoft Office PowerPoint 3.0, etc. The buyer could purchase it on the CD-ROM. A year later, Microsoft introduced the Microsoft Office Professional with additional features like Microsoft Access 1.1.
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Microsoft Office Applications 4.0
Microsoft 4.0 was launched in 1993 with a slightly higher version of different Microsoft Office Programs, including MS Word 6.0, c 4.0a, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 3.0. One of the significant aspects of this application was that it excelled from 2.0 to 6.0. The purpose was to match the versions with the MS-DOS and Macintosh. Now it is important to remember that Microsoft kept updating the versions. Hence, very soon, in the next year, it brought Microsoft Office 4.2 for Windows NT. The version for the Word processor was similar. But it increased to 5.0 in the case of Microsoft Office Excel.
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Microsoft Office Applications 1995
Microsoft Office 1995 came into existence in August 1995. The company also released its logo in the same year as Office 95. It was later useful in Office 97, 2000, and XP. Here, the version of every application raised to 7.0, making it a full 32-bit version. It was available in twin versions- Office 95 Standard and Office 95 Professional. The only dissimilarity between the two was that the 95 Professional contained an additional Microsoft Access 7.0 that was not present in the Standard version. This Operating System was also available on a CD.
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Microsoft Office Applications 1997
Version 8.0 could be found with the successful launch of Microsoft Office 1997. Here, computer operators could see much application improvement and advancement and the addition of several new features. The user was provided more options by adding new menus and tools in MS Word and Microsoft Office Excel. It also had Natural Language Systems and grammar checking,
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Microsoft Office Applications 2000
Microsoft Office 2000 came up with a more updated version of 9.0. It had adaptive menus and more options for the users. For the first time, Microsoft Company took a significant step by introducing the digital signature to eliminate the security threats related to large-scale viruses.
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Microsoft Office Applications 2002 or XP
After the launch of Microsoft Office XP in 2002, it became a huge success as by then, the number of people using MS Office had incredibly increased worldwide. Therefore, one could see XP installed in a number of desktops as Operating System. This was version 10.0, which has much more advanced than the Office 2000. It introduced the option of Safe Mode for the first time, enabling users to boot the applications in case of failure. This effective and useful feature could identify the problem and then repair it. Another useful and effective tool added to Windows XP was the addition of Smart Tag, a technology to reduce errors in typing. Microsoft also introduced the Product Activation policy for the first time to curb the piracy that had spread throughout the world.
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Microsoft Office Applications 2003
As time passed, Microsoft kept launching newer and faster versions of the MS Office, and the Microsoft Office 2003 was the next in this series. The version with a new logo had two new applications added to the suite. They were Microsoft Office Onenote and InfoPath. MS Outlook was more functional, making the users’ tasks much easier. It also brought Windows XP-style icons.
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Microsoft Office Applications 2007
Credit goes to Microsoft for continuously offering new and advanced versions of MS Office. Microsoft Office 2007, which is still relevant and popular today, is the 12.0 version of Office. It includes a new Graphical User Interface (GUI) substituting the old menus and toolbars.
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Microsoft Office Applications 2010
The Microsoft Office 2010 is the 14.0 version of the MS Office. The logo is similar to the 2007 Office with a subtle difference. It provides many new features, such as collaboration of the tools, customizable ribbons, backstage file menus, and much more. It is available in both variants- 32 and 64-bit.
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Microsoft Office Application 2013
The version was released in January 2012, and its interface is based on Metro, similar to Windows Phone and Windows 8. It provides a different visualization with more modernized Microsoft Office PowerPoint and MS Outlook features. Not only that, but other applications have also undergone an emphatic transformation.
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Microsoft Office Applications 2016
This is the newest version of Microsoft Office, which has been recently launched last year only in January 2015. However, it is in the process of development.
Related Articles
This has been a guide to Microsoft Office Application, a set of vital applications primarily known as Office Suite, which Microsoft has designed to carry out different office tasks smoothly. These are the following external link related to Microsoft Office Applications.
