Anticipating a Full-Fledged Microsoft Word/Excel for Tablets - Is It on the Horizon?

Question

Hello Microsoft Community,

I am reaching out to inquire about the potential availability of full versions of Microsoft Word and Excel on tablets in the near future.

In recent years, we have witnessed a significant evolution in tablet hardware, with their capabilities now almost on par with traditional PCs and laptops. The advancement in processing power, memory, and overall performance has eradicated previous limitations, making tablets a viable platform for more complex and demanding applications.

As the world gravitates towards increased portability and convenience, tablets have become an integral tool for professionals, students, and everyday users alike. However, one notable gap that users often encounter is the limited functionality of Microsoft Word and Excel on tablet platforms, including iOS and Android. The restricted features can sometimes hinder the seamless and efficient workflow that users have come to expect from their desktop counterparts.

Given the enhanced hardware capabilities of modern tablets, including those running on Android and iOS operating systems, I am curious to know if Microsoft has plans to introduce full-fledged versions of Word and Excel for these devices. The integration of comprehensive Word and Excel versions tailored for the advanced hardware of Android and iOS tablets could potentially revolutionize productivity on the go, offering users a complete suite of tools to execute their tasks with efficiency and precision.

I am eager to hear your insights and any information on upcoming developments in this regard.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards, Manea Bogdan

Answer 1

I do not expect that to EVER happen. Sorry.

See Compare Word features on different platforms - Office Support.

·       These programs are all named Word and they are all created and published by Microsoft.

·       They all can edit the same document files that have the same file structure. Some of the programs have no control over some of the document structures.

·       But, they are different programs with different features and controls.

 

As of October, 2023, the most powerful one of these, with the most features, is the Windows desktop application from Microsoft 365. I do not expect that to change. The perpetual license version Word 2021 is very close as far as features but does not receive new features as added.

 

The Macintosh desktop application is second with number of features. The things available in the Windows version not yet on the Mac version include Content Controls, Building Blocks, UserForms, and ActiveX. It can use, but cannot create, or modify most Content Controls. AutoText is a Building Block that the Mac can and does use.

 

The browser version of Word – Word Online – has a Transcribe feature that has recently been added to the Windows desktop version of Microsoft 365’s Word. Otherwise, the browser version has far fewer features and editing in it has been reported to mess up automatic numbering. Chromebooks use a version of this or of the Android mobile app. Differences between using a document in the browser and in Word

 

The mobile applications (Android/IOS, etc.) vary somewhat but have far fewer features. I would use them for note taking and for quick viewing/printing, but not for editing. Especially not for editing long or complex documents. What you can do in the Microsoft 365 apps on mobile devices with a Microsoft 365 subscription

Answer 2

There is no one here in a decision-making capacity at Microsoft.

You can post a suggestion in Word for iOS by tapping on the three-dot icon at the right end of the Ribbon. On the menu that appears, scroll down to Help & Feedback>Suggest a Feature. Post your idea, then others can vote on it. Microsoft uses this feedback to prioritize their programming.