Microsoft Tests Ad-Supported Office Apps with Limited Features

Microsoft is experimenting with ad-supported versions of its Office desktop apps, allowing users to edit documents with restricted functionality.

Unlike the free Office on the web, these desktop versions display ads in a vertical panel and encourage users to subscribe to Microsoft 365 for an ad-free experience.

Documents edited in these apps can only be saved to OneDrive, as local saving requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.

Users can access these apps by installing Microsoft 365 and selecting “Skip for now” at the sign-in prompt, then choosing “Continue for free.”

Although Microsoft confirmed it is testing these ad-supported Office apps, the company stated there are no current plans for a full launch.

This move follows Microsoft's history of embedding ads into its products, such as Windows 11's Start Menu, File Explorer, and even the Windows 10 WordPad app.

By integrating advertisements into essential applications, Microsoft continues exploring new ways to push users toward paid subscriptions.