# Microsoft Office 2024: Essential Information
Microsoft has officially released **Office 2024** for users on Mac and PC, presenting a new option to its widely-used subscription service, **Microsoft 365**. Although Microsoft is still advocating for its subscription approach, some individuals might prefer the one-time purchase model offered by Office 2024. But does it represent good value? Let’s explore the new features and compare it with Microsoft 365 to assist you in determining which option meets your requirements best.
## Main Features of Microsoft Office 2024
Microsoft Office 2024 brings numerous updates and improvements across its application suite, positioning it as an attractive choice for those who favor a standard software license over a subscription. Here’s an overview of the significant changes in some of the most widely-used Office applications:
### 1. **Outlook**
– **Enhanced Search Features**: Outlook in Office 2024 boasts improved search functions, making it simpler to locate emails, contacts, and calendar entries.
– **Custom Gestures for Mac**: Mac users can now personalize swipe gestures (left and right) for specific tasks, enhancing workflow productivity.
– **Accessibility Tool**: A new feature enabling users to evaluate emails for accessibility concerns, ensuring that communications are inclusive and easily understood by all audiences.
### 2. **PowerPoint**
– **Cameo Function**: PowerPoint now permits users to integrate a live camera feed directly into their slides, which is particularly advantageous for virtual presentations, allowing the presenter to be seen alongside their material.
– **Recording Suite**: Users can now capture their narration, animations, transitions, and inking directly in PowerPoint, facilitating the creation of refined presentations without relying on third-party tools.
### 3. **OneNote**
– **Improved Inking**: OneNote features a revamped inking experience, including a full-screen view focused on pen use. This enhancement allows users to utilize the complete screen for writing or doodling, perfect for note-taking or drawing.
### 4. **Excel**
– **New Functions**: Excel 2024 adds new functions designed to assist users with text and array management more effectively. These functions simplify complex data manipulation tasks.
– **Image Handling**: Users can now paste images directly into cells or utilize the new `IMAGE` function to embed images without altering the worksheet’s formatting.
– **Dynamic Arrays**: Excel now accommodates dynamic arrays in charts, which automatically refresh to reflect all relevant data when arrays are recalibrated. This is particularly beneficial for displaying extensive datasets.
## Pricing and Versions
Microsoft Office 2024 is offered in two versions:
1. **Office Home 2024**: Priced at **$149.99**, this version encompasses Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for a single PC or Mac.
2. **Office Home & Business 2024**: Available for **$249.99**, this version contains everything included in Office Home 2024 plus Outlook. Furthermore, it allows users to utilize the apps for business purposes.
Both versions necessitate a **Microsoft account** and an **internet connection** for installation and updates. Office 2024 is compatible with **Windows 10 and 11** as well as the **three most recent macOS versions**.
## Office 2024 vs. Microsoft 365: Which One Is Right for You?
When choosing between **Microsoft Office 2024** and **Microsoft 365**, it ultimately depends on your preferences and planned usage of the software.
### **Reasons to Opt for Office 2024**
– **One-Time Payment**: If you prefer avoiding subscription fees, Office 2024 is the more favorable choice. One payment grants lifetime ownership of the software with no recurring costs.
– **Essential Needs**: If your requirements are limited to the standard Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote) and you’re not interested in frequent updates or additional cloud services, Office 2024 is a value-friendly option.
– **Business Use**: The **Office Home & Business 2024** version suits small business owners or freelancers who need to use the software commercially without committing to a subscription.
### **Reasons to Opt for Microsoft 365**
– **Always Current**: Subscribers of Microsoft 365 benefit from ongoing updates, which encompass new features, security enhancements, and performance upgrades. If keeping up with the latest advancements is important to you, Microsoft 365 is the optimal choice.
– **Cloud Connectivity**: Microsoft 365 provides seamless integration with **OneDrive** and other cloud services, enabling document storage, sharing, and collaboration from any location.
– **Flexible Subscription**: The **Microsoft 365 Personal** plan is priced at **$69.99 per year**, meaning after two years, it would be approximately equivalent to the cost of Office Home 2024. However, with Microsoft
