Microsoft has released version 16.109 of Office for Mac with updates to PowerPoint and Outlook. PowerPoint users can now use the unpaid version of Copilot Chat to create, edit, and refine presentations through natural conversation. Copilot Chat can be accessed with an eligible Microsoft 365 subscription and relies on public Web data, whereas Microsoft 365 Copilot requires a separate subscription and can integrate with your internal data, such as files, email, and chats. (Confused? Learn more about the differences between Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot.)
Outlook now enables users with Microsoft 365 enterprise accounts to view and update their work location from the calendar grid, lets you rearrange items in the left navigation rail, and introduces Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to help detect and prevent unintended sharing of confidential data. ($179.99 for a one-time purchase, $99.99/$129.99 annual subscription options, free update through Microsoft AutoUpdate, release notes, macOS 13+)
I received this email from Microsoft yesterday about Office 19:
“We have an update about Office 2019 on your Mac.
Starting July 13, 2026, a security certificate update is required to keep Microsoft 365 and Office apps current. Since you have a device that cannot support this update, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote will switch to view-only mode. You can still open and read all your files, but editing and saving will not be available on this device. Your files are safe.
Office 2019 for Mac ended support in October 2023 and is no longer receiving updates. This means the certificate change cannot be resolved by updating or reinstalling your current software. Your files and documents are fully intact. Here are your options to keep working:
Use Microsoft 365 on the web for free. Open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in any browser, no installation required. If your files are saved to OneDrive, your existing files open and work just as they always have.
Upgrade to a Microsoft 365 subscription. Get the latest Office apps on up to 5 devices, with ongoing updates and support. Your files will continue to work right where you left off. Explore Microsoft 365 plans at microsoft.com/microsoft-365. To ensure this will work on your current device, check aka.ms/systemrequirements for compatible versions of macOS, Windows 11, and Windows 10.”
I am really bummed about this! I don’t want a subscription to Office 365. And Microsoft is offering Office suite for $170. Anyone know if there is a cheaper offer for Office? OR – is Pages compatible with Windows version of Office? I write newsletter articles and they have to be compatible with Windows/Mac Office.
If you know how to use Word—and the rest of MS Office, for that matter—LibreOffice is a free, open source way to replace MS Office with little-to-no transition/learning curve.
In fact, I decided to stop paying Microsoft for Office because pretty much all of my Word, Excel, and Powerpoint skills and habits were instantly applicable to LibreOffice. Apple’s office suite works so differently from MS Office, especially the spreadsheet, that I didn’t want to spend time relearning how to do everything in my Office repertoire.