If you've been eager to get a good look at the impending Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac, due to arrive in the second half of this year, Microsoft is providing a preview.
The new software with an updated user interface capitalizes on features such as retina display and full-screen view support.
Consumers who don't want to wait until the official product launch can download the productivity business apps for a free preview trial. The preview provides access to five Office apps for Macintosh computers running on Yosemite (Mac OS 10.10).
Keep in mind that Microsoft has shifted its "preview" strategy, and that while the preview version is free, users will need to have an Office 365 subscription when the market version of the Office 2016 suite hits this summer.
Eric Wilfrid, director of Office product marketing, says Office 2016 for Mac aims to capture the look and feel of Office for Windows.
The latest Office for Mac lets users access documents created on any device and integrates with SharePoint, OneDrive and OneDrive for Business, according to Microsoft. The latest version also now offers up threaded comments that should enhance coauthoring on documents.
The new Word boasts enhanced editing and sharing tools, a new design tab that provides quick access to features, and users also get complete control over photos, effects and shapes with the new Format Object task tool.
The updated Excel for Mac features many functions some users are likely familiar with from Excel 2013 for Windows.
"You'll even be able to use your favorite keyboard shortcuts, giving you a more consistent cross-platform experience," states a Microsoft product page.
Office for Mac 2016 also provides OneNote, a digital journal tool that's accessible no matter what location or what Macintosh device is in play.
During the preview development phase, Microsoft said it will provide users regular updates and that the final preview build will work for about 30 days until Office 2016 for Mac arrives in the market sometime this summer.
Office 2016 for Windows, reportedly in non-public testing at this point, is scheduled to be released in the second half of 2015.
