This tutorial shows you how to run Microsoft Office on a Chromebook for free. Tip: want to use WhatsApp on your Chromebook? We have a tutorial to show you how.
Via Microsoft Office Android Apps
Microsoft ended support for this method as of September 18, 2021. However, if you’ve already downloaded the app or sideload it now, you’re still free to use it, but there won’t be any more updates. If you didn’t already have the app, you can sideload it using an APK file of the Microsoft Office Android app. However, sideloading means enabling Developer Mode, which invalidates your warranty and removes all data from your device. You can disable this mode after the app is installed. It’s not recommended to sideload the Office apps, as the Web version works just as well. After all, Chromebooks are mainly meant to be used as Internet-connected devices!
Using Microsoft Office Online
If your Chromebook is not Android-enabled, there’s no need to fret. You can still use Microsoft Office with Microsoft Office Online. This online version allows you access to editing and can also share Office files directly within your browser. The only con of this is that you need to have an Internet connection before MS Office can work on your Chromebook. These are some of the apps you can enjoy using online with Microsoft Office:
Excel online One Drive OneNote online Outlook.com PowerPoint online Microsoft Sway Word online
Using PWA Apps
Microsoft may have ended support for the Android apps for Chromebook, but the company introduced PWAs (progressive web apps) instead. A PWA doesn’t technically install like a normal app. Instead, it’s essentially just a standalone browser window that opens directly to the app you want, so there is no worrying about local storage issues, updating an app, etc. Follow the steps below to PWA versions of Office apps.
Using Office Chrome Extension
If your Chromebook uses the Chrome Web Store instead of the Google Play Store, you can still use Microsoft Office for Chromebook. However, you’ll need to use the official Office extension instead. Technically, this just uses the web version of the Office apps. Once you add the extension to your Chromebook, you’ll be able to quickly access Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, OneNote, and OneDrive straight from your browser. Start by clicking or tapping the Office icon in your browser and logging in to your Microsoft account. Once logged in, when you click the extension icon, you’ll see available apps and recent documents to quickly pick up where you left off. Tip: if you’re a student, don’t miss these Microsoft student discounts!
Using Microsoft Teams
If you want to have a more collaborative environment, you may also want to use Microsoft Teams alongside Microsoft Office. While it used to only be a premium option, you can now install it for free for personal use. The easiest method is the browser version. Go to teams.microsoft.com and log in using your Microsoft account. You can then add a shortcut to your home screen to easily open Teams whenever you want. To set up the shortcut, open the Chrome browser menu at the top right, select “More Tools,” and choose “Create a shortcut.” Add a name and place the shortcut where you want it. While the Microsoft Teams app doesn’t work quite as well, especially on tablets, you can download Teams from the Google Play Store if your Chromebook supports Android apps. Microsoft didn’t end support for this app like they did with the Office apps. Refer to this list to see current Chromebook models that either support Android apps now or soon will.
Connect to Windows
This method is a little more complicated and requires you to have a Windows PC and a Chromebook. The idea is simple: use a remote desktop on your Chromebook to connect to your Windows PC, then any apps installed on Windows, including Office apps. Connecting to Windows is best for users who have a Windows desktop at home but travel with a Chromebook. Your PC must be on at all times for anytime access from your Chromebook. Obviously, to use Microsoft Office on Chromebook using this method, it needs to be installed on your Windows PC. Follow the steps below for remote access: Tip: secure your Chromebook with these tips. Image credit: Unsplash
