Word is powerful and flexible, but you pay for that utility. The main difference is that Microsoft’s programs are better, except for multiuser simultaneous editing. This is exactly the same as Google’s online suite. All you have to do is create a Microsoft Account using any working email address – it doesn’t have to be a Microsoft email address – and you can use online versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint with free online storage in OneDrive. In fact, you can already use some Microsoft Office programs online, including Word, without paying Microsoft a penny. Microsoft would prefer both Mac and Windows users of Office to move to the online version, Office 365, but it’s still entirely up to you. Is there is a cheaper way of carrying on with Word, or, failing that, an alternative word processor with which I’ll still be able to open and edit my existing Word documents? Ed As a writer, I have a very large number of Word files, but with Microsoft moving to an annual subscription model, the cost of remaining with Word is looking prohibitive. And as long as you don’t use a Mac-specific font, going back-and-forth with Office documents shouldn’t be a big problem.I chose Microsoft Word for Mac when I switched to a MacBook Pro some years ago. The iWork suite lets you import and export documents in Microsoft Office formats (it will save to the iWork format by default, though). The same goes with Pages-moving text, images, and graphs around is a seamless experience that doesn’t make you want to pull your hair out. When you create something in Keynote, chances are you’ll end up creating something beautiful. While customization options are limited, everything that’s available is quite polished. Once you get used to them, they’re actually pleasant to use (something we can’t necessarily say about Microsoft Office). Since all three apps are now matured, all the basics are covered. And you don’t have as many options as the Microsoft Office suite. Instead of being top-heavy, the options show up in a contextual menu on the side.

Pages, for instance, is one of the best Word alternatives for Mac.Īs these are Mac-centric apps, the UI is quite different. These are Apple’s own alternatives to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Included with your Mac is the iWork suite: Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.

Current version of office for mac