In addition to working with Microsoft Office on your PC, you can also use it as an App on your Android mobile device if necessary. To simplify the mobile experience, Microsoft has developed a new app for iPhone and Android phones. Known as Microsoft Office or simply Office, the app combines Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to simplify working with different documents and use less storage space than any individual app.
The new Microsoft Office App on Android offers several features, including the integration of Office Lens for scanning documents, an option to sign PDF files on your device, a function for converting images and documents to PDF, and a way to extract text and tables an image. You can even access and create sticky notes using this feature in Windows.
Microsoft has separate mobile applications for its office software package, e.g. Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. In 2019, the company released an all-in-one office app for Android and iOS that includes the above software and tools for storing files, notes, and PDFs. Here we show you how to set up the app and get an overview of everything you can do with the Android version.
The Microsoft Office application is compatible with Android 7.0 (Nougat) and higher. There is also an iPhone version for devices with iOS 12.0 or higher.
First, download the new Microsoft Office app from the Apple App Store for an iPhone or Google Play for an Android device. When you start the app for the first time, you will be asked to connect or login to your account. Click the Connect your account link and sign in with your Microsoft account username and password.
How to set up Microsoft Office for Android
The Office app is available in the Google Play Store. After downloading, it only takes a few steps before you can use it.
- Start the Office app and then tap CONNECT ACCOUNT.
- Enter your email address, phone number, or your Skype username.
- Tap on Next.
- Password. You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator app to access your account.
- Tap Sign in.
- You will now see the files associated with this account in the app.
- Tap Start, and then tap a program to view only these types of files. You can choose between Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, media or notes.
Configure the Microsoft Office app for Android
The Office application has various settings that you can adjust to. Connected services are located at the top of the setup screen. However, this is only for information. You cannot change anything. There are four sections below: file settings, automatic downloads, notifications, etc.
To access the Office app settings, tap the profile picture next to the Start button, and then tap Settings.
Here are the settings you can change:
File settings:
This includes opening files in the mobile view and set a default location for new files.
Automatic downloads: include the download of the latest and recommended files by default and enables automatic downloads when using mobile data.
Notifications:
Set these options to display a warning when someone is sharing a file with you and when someone is editing a shared file.
Help and support: Contains links to the app’s support page.
Privacy and Permissions
Describes what data you want to share, including diagnostic data and related experiences that analyze or upload content to make personalized recommendations and suggestions.
Write a comment or feedback:
Here are three options: I like something, I don’t like something, and I have an idea. You can attach a screenshot for each option.
Reset Office:
Delete local data and user profiles; Log out, and you will lose all unsaved data.
Uses of the Microsoft Office for Android Device
There are many things you can do with the Office app. You can add notes, pictures, and documents (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). You can also use Office Lens, a scanning app that scans whiteboard doodles, whiteboards, and printed documents.
- To add a file, tap the plus sign.
- Tap Notes to open Microsoft Sticky Notes.
- Press on Lens to include an image. You can add image files stored on your phone, take a photo, or open Microsoft Whiteboard, a digital collaborative canvas.
- Tap Documents and select an option on the next screen to create an Office file.
How to Use Office App Actions
Finally, tap Actions to access additional features. On this screen, you can perform all kinds of tasks on the go. You can transfer files and share them with nearby phones that have the Microsoft Office application installed.
The other actions you can take are:
- Convert an image to text or table
- Sign a PDF
- Scan an image or document in PDF
- Scan a QR code
Files Transfer
First of all, you can transfer files between your phone and computer by temporarily pairing the two devices. Whenever you want to transfer files, you have to repeat this process.
- Tap Transfer files.
- Tap Send or Receive.
- Go to transfer.office.com on your computer.
- QR code that appears on the screen should be scanned.
- Tap Pair on your smartphone and select Pair on your computer if the numbers listed match.
- You can now transfer files.
You can also share files between nearby phones. The application must be installed on both phones. Sharing is just a few clicks away.
- Tap Close Share.
- Tap Send or Receive.
- On the second phone, touch Send or Receive.
- Tap Invite someone to share and just send a download link.