Microsoft makes it easier to restore shared versions in Office 2016

By Mark Coppock Published January 12, 2017

A person using a laptop that displays various Microsoft Office apps. — Shutterstock

If you’re a Windows Insider, then you’re accustomed to getting early access to the latest Windows 10 bits. Microsoft has another Insider program for Office users that also provides a sneak peek at new features, and Microsoft has released a new early access update for Office 2016 on Windows desktops.

The December update that’s presently on tap is for Slow Ring users, meaning those people who are brave enough to try things out a little early but not quite so brave as to try the absolute latest and possibly most unstable versions. The newest Slow Ring update is to version 1612 (Build 7668.2048), and it provides some nice new functionality.

First up is the ability to view and easily restore changes in shared files. Clicking the Activity icon in a shared app that’s stored in SharePoint, OneDrive, or OneDrive for Business will open a list of who recently edited the document and their versions. You can then select an easier version of a document, workbook, or presentation to restore.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Next up are a number of smaller updates that nevertheless extend Office 2016’s functionality. Excel now allows you to use the Surface pen to select and manipulate objects, specifically to use the resize, rotate, and move handles on objects as well as to Lasso ink without visiting the ribbon. You can now play videos in PowerPoint slides that contain closed captions and multiple audio tracks. It also offers some new data transformation and connectivity options, including a Percentage data type and better binary combining and function authoring experiences.

Visio also received some attention in the latest Office Insider Slow Ring version. The desktop version of Visio received support for using the keyboard, Narrator, and other assistive technology. And there’s a new Visio Viewer for the iPad and iPhone.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re signed up for the Office Insider program and have Office 2016 set to receive Slow Ring updates, then it’s possible that you’re already updated. You can go to File > Account, and look in the Office Updates section to see which version you’re on. Click on the Office Options button and select Update Now to force an update if you’re not yet seeing the latest version. You can sign up to be an Office Insider here if you’re not already in the program.

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Use Office.com
You’re not going to receive the best Microsoft Office experience without the company’s premium, feature-packed desktop applications and included services. Still, if you need a free option, you can turn to Office.com. Online applications feature more limited versions of Microsoft Word for document writing, Excel for spreadsheets, and PowerPoint for presentations. There is no online access included for more advanced applications such as Publisher or Access -- additionally, you are limited to OneDrive’s free storage tier.

While you may be able to get by with the free edition, some users will find themselves confined by the web version’s limited capabilities. For more information on the full-featured versions of Office for Mac and PC, as well as their mobile counterparts for iOS and Android, keep reading.
Grab Office free as a student
Are you currently a student? If you have a valid school email address, you can obtain a completely free version of Microsoft Office 365. Known as Office 365 Education, the bundle includes Word for document writing, Excel for spreadsheets, PowerPoint for presentations, and OneNote for note-taking. Students even receive free access to Microsoft Teams for easy collaboration with other students when working on projects. As Microsoft says, "It's not a trial -- so get started today."
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Microsoft Office once had an unquestioned stranglehold on the world of productivity suites and programs. However, the subscription model and the high price of Office 2019 have given rise to a bevy of options that fall outside Microsoft's banner. The best alternatives to Microsoft Office allow users the freedom to create and edit, and many are even compatible with files made in Word, Excel, and other Microsoft programs. If you're loyal to Microsoft's product, it's also worth trying out the web-based Office applications, which emulate a lot of the primary features of Office right in your browser for free.
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