Public Preview of Office apps now available for Android users

Android users can now join Microsoft's Office Preview program to try out new and updated versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint on their devices.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

May 19, 2015

2 Min Read
Public Preview of Office apps now available for Android users

Last week, with build 10080 of Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Insiders were finally able to try out the touch optimized Word, Excel and PowerPoint universal apps on their smart phones.

This week Microsoft has now made those same apps available to Android users in a new Preview Program.

Yes, you read that right - Windows Phone users got something before other platforms did!

According to Microsoft these apps will eventually replace the Office Mobile apps for Android that are currently available for Android users.

As you look through the screenshots below you will find a lot of similarities between the Android and Windows 10 Mobile versions of these apps.

That of course is intentional because, as Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella has said many times, it is about the mobility of the experience that is Microsoft’s focus.

Word Preview for Android

Excel Preview for Android

PowerPoint Preview for Android

The company has indicated that the current Office for Android apps will remain in the app store while the new apps are in preview.  More details will follow later in the year when they decide on the general availability date for the new apps.

The preview apps bring together what Microsoft calls a familiar and consistent Office experience and gives you the ability to be productive wherever you are with quick access to your documents in various cloud services including Google Drive and Box.

The new preview apps also include the ability to collaborate with your team and, in keeping with Microsoft’s war on the email attachment, you can easily email a hyperlink of the document you are working on.

Ready to join in on the preview?

  1. Once you join the community, Become a tester by clicking the links to the Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

  2. Wait for Google Play to replicate permissions (this may take ~up to four hours), click the above mentioned links and then follow the download links to install apps using Google play store.


But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

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About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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