14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just released a new update for the Mac version of its Office productivity suite as part of the Office Insider program.
Just like its Windows 10 sibling, this program is supposed to let users try out Office updates in advance and provide feedback that would help refine the experience before improvements are shipped to everyone else.
Today’s build is 16.19.181104, and it includes a bunch of refinements for the Office suite on Mac, including the new icons that Microsoft has announced earlier for the ribbon.
With the restyled icons, Microsoft Office for Mac gets a more modern look, and given that the ribbon continues to be an essential part of the application, all improvements in this regard are without a doubt welcome.
Beginning with this version, Office for Mac users are allowed to insert photos in their documents without actually leaving the apps. Microsoft has included web search support for images, so you can quickly perform a search and then embed the content in your document effortlessly.
Now available for insiders
The updated Outlook client comes with additional encryption options. This update introduces an Encrypt-only feature that enables encryption by default for emails.
Additionally, Microsoft is bringing a summary zoom to Microsoft Office for Mac. The company explains:
“See all of the pieces of your presentation at once in an interactive table of contents. When presenting, get the flexibility you need to be creative and show your slides in any order, skip ahead or jump back as needed.”
As said, this is just a preview build of the Office productivity suite for Mac, but if everything goes according to the plan, the public launch should take place later this month. You can download the update today if you’re enrolled in the Slow ring of the Office Insider program, but keep in mind this is work in progress and some issues may still be experienced.