The Microsoft logo.
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Microsoft is reportedly testing a new ad-based Office app tier plan in India.
Microsoft's Office suite of apps is the most used productivity tool worldwide. They have a simple user interface and come in handy to write text documents, edit PDFs, and develop creative presentations with PowerPoint. With Excel sheets, users can work on project management, file performance reports of companies and do a lot more.
But, Microsoft Office now called Microsoft 365 is kind of expensive for students and hence, it is mostly used by corporates and professionals.
India, a price-conscious country, is fast emerging as a big market for Microsoft. To tap into the opportunity, the Redmond-based company is reportedly testing a free tier Office app plan for the subcontinent, reported Beebom, a technology blog.
Like most free-tier app services, the Microsoft Office app will flash ads and will be exclusive to Windows PCs only. The ads will appear in the form of banners on the right side and also 15-second video ads will be pushed once in a few hours.
Also, there will be limitations and the lack of a few features. For instance, users will get access to just three apps-- Word, Excel and PowerPoint. They can edit and add content, but can't save the files locally on the PC.
They will be directed to store the file in OneDrive cloud storage. Microsoft will offer 5GB of free storage. And, from there, users can download the saved files on their device.
Some important features such as a tool to draw, conditional formatting, dictate, columns, line spacing, custom slide show, option to add animation, screenshots and many more will not be accessible on the ad-supported free tier-plan.
For the full suite of Office apps, add-ons, and extensions, users have to get premium Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
For now, the ad-supported free-tier plan of Microsoft Office for Windows PC is being offered to select people in India.
Microsoft in a statement to PC World has confirmed that it is just testing the plan's viability and as of now, there is no plans to expand it to all just yet.
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