While it’s true, word processors are very important on any computer . Since, thanks to them, it is possible to create and edit text documents of any kind. Being Word, the most used worldwide and that belongs to the Microsoft Office suite .
Thus, it is valuable to highlight that one of the main reasons why users prefer to handle Word, is for its ease of getting and for being free . However, as people currently choose to use online text editors, Microsoft Word Online was designed. Which, has some tools that the traditional version contains , but with the difference that it can be opened directly from a web browser .
In this sense, it is important to know the biggest advantages and disadvantages of this online tool . Also taking into account some alternatives to Word Online that reveal a great performance.
What is it, what is Microsoft Word Online for? / span>
To begin, we indicate that Microsoft Word Online refers to a word processor that, of course, is used to write different text documents, reports, letters and everything you need. In addition to allowing you to include other important elements such as images, tables, graphs, schemes , etc. So that, with it, you can make an excellent text completely to your liking.
It is also a online tool that belongs to the Office Online 2016 package , so it is a somewhat new proposal. Thus, a package that also includes Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, OneNote, Calendar, Contacts and many more functions.
Now, as far as looks like Word Online , it is completely the same as traditional Word desktop has always had, both on a Windows computer and on a Mac. However, with the difference that this is running through a web browser , that is, through Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge and anyone who is currently active.
In view of this, if you wish to use this online service, you only have to access its official website, through the Office Online website . Once you are there, just click on the link to Word Online and you will be asked to enter your Microsoft email account, which can be Hotmail or Outlook . In case you don’t have one of these accounts active, you can create it for free and that’s it .
On the other hand, regarding the operation of Word Online, we indicate that it basically allows you to make use of the main functions of the desktop version . That is, change the text format by adding bold, italic, color and size change, as well as typeface, bullets, align paragraphs, etc. It even admits that you insert images, tables, number of pages, header, you can change margins, check spelling, among others.
Now, once you finish creating and editing your text with the main functions, the files will be saved directly in the cloud . For which, you have the renowned OneDrive storage application, which works similar to a file manager. In addition, you give a total of 15 GB of space , so that you can upload all types of files from Word Online and even others, such as photos, videos, audios, etc.
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Advantages
In order to know a little more about Microsoft Word Online for Windows and Mac, it is necessary to specify the main advantages that this service presents for all its users . Therefore, below, we indicate the benefits you can get when creating and editing your texts within Word Online:
- It is a tool that can be run from any web browser of your choice, just by connecting to the Internet through your computer.
- It does not require annoying installations on your computer and thanks to this, you can prevent it from becoming infected with a virus and additionally, you should not update the program every so often.
- It is easy to access and manage , as Word Online ensures the simplicity of creating or modifying a document directly from your mobile phone or Tablet , when you are anywhere. For which, you don’t need to spend hours in your office or at home without being able to leave.
- It allows you to make less use of your computer’s memory . Since, when you access directly from a web browser and save the files in the cloud with OneDrive, the memory reservation of a device can be kept intact.
- It is a completely free service > which even gives you a good amount of megabytes of storage in OneDrive that you can enjoy to the fullest.
- Guarantees time savings with building blocks , which can be used to upload documents on a specific or frequently used topic. Which means that, it allows you to use quotes, covers, letters, a resignation text and much more predefined content. You can also edit the text from these elements and save a lot of time.
- It has a user interface that offers a tool that speeds up the application of document formats , which means a remarkable saving of effort. This, because it has a quick style bar and themes that can be applied in seconds.
Disadvantages
Now, since not everything can be perfect in life and the same goes for Internet services, it is relevant to specify the main cons that Microsoft Word Online uses as a tool for creating and editing texts So, below, we indicate its disadvantages:
- Since it is run through a web browser, requires an Internet connection . Therefore, if this fails, it is impossible to make use of the text tool. Which does not happen with the desktop Word application.
- Although the forms, text boxes, graphics, tables of contents, indexes, footnotes, bibliographies, Word Art and Smart Art can be visualized and deleted in Word Online, it is impossible to insert and modify this type of elements within your text .
- In case you want to execute documents with macros within Microsoft Word Online, it is not possible to carry it out in any way .
- This Office online tool does not allow you to open documents in a web page format , that is, in HTML. What also happens with rich text or RTF and documents encrypted by means of passwords.
- It does not have the function “ Replace “, which is so used in the desktop version.
- You cannot create new styles or change the themes or backgrounds of each page.
- Although it is possible to check the spelling of the text, you don’t Check grammar . In addition, you cannot use custom dictionaries.
- In the case of automatic corrections, they can be undone, but it is impossible to customize them .
List of the 8 best tools similar or alternatives to Word Online for Windows and Mac
Beyond Microsoft Word Online, there are other services that work well and allow you, free of charge, to create and edit texts of any kind online. So, if you want to know the best alternatives to Word Online that exist today , available for both Windows and Mac, you have reached the indicated post:
Google Docs
The tool that should occupy the first position, without a doubt, is Google Docs. Which, as the name implies, is a service offered by the giant Google that is based on a simple word processor, in which it is possible to create and edit documents. It also has a spreadsheet and thanks to this, it shows greater coverage, compared to Word Online.
But, like the latter, in Google Docs you can save the files in the cloud and easily access them , just by having an Internet connection. Among other features, this free service allows you to share documents with other users, so it is also a good tool to transfer files .
The application does not require any installation, presents automatic updates frequently , in order to guarantee you more advanced functions. In addition, Google Docs has great compatibility, it has a simple interface to use , you can open or save text documents in doc or docx format without problems and all this, with just have an account from Gmail .
Writer
Although it is an online service to create and modify very little known texts, it is considered a good alternative to Word Online. Which is characterized by presenting a platform similar to the Windows command line and also to the discontinued MS-DOS system, given that you must write on a black background with fluorescent green letters . Mainly for this reason, it is a different solution to most options similar to Word Online.
For your part, if you want to use this tool, before you start writing, you need to register on the platform . For which, they only ask you to enter an active email address, along with a password and then, you must accept the terms and conditions, after which start the writing experience in Writer .
In addition to this, it should be noted that the service allows you to export all text documents wherever you want and even open it from another compatible text editor . This being its main advantage.
Authorea
This refers to another excellent alternative to Word Online, since facilitates the creation of online documents individually and even, through the help of other users. Indeed, it is considered an online platform that focuses on the creation of collaborative documents . Taking into account that, in this way, it allows you to share your documents, see them and that they are edited both by you and by other people who, if they wish, can complete them.
It also allows you to add comments in order for others to read them and make edits of the text or corrections, depending on it. As for the Authorea interface, it is valuable to note that it is a very clean and simple platform , which has good options for editing common text.
In addition, contains chat features , so you can chat instantly and in real time, with users who are online. In addition, according to the permissions of each co-author, he can review, modify and undo the document to his liking. To use this service, you need to register with a name, email and password .
TypWrittr
This is an online option where you must register with your email or from your Facebook or Twitter account , in order to use it. To do this, have a good tool for creating and editing texts directly from a web browser that, fortunately, fulfills the main functions to achieve an excellent writing result.
Although it does not offer the same number of tools provided by Word Online, it also gives you the option to modify the font size and font , just like the text color and the style of paper you use. As you can see in the image, this platform exhibits a minimalist design that is ideal for users who prefer to avoid distractions while writing any type of text.
In this sense, to provide a little customization, TypWrittr allows you to change the publisher’s background and select from several that contains different classes . Among other features, it is a free service that aims to allow the creation of texts within a relaxed environment.
ZenPen
It is also a platform with a completely minimalist interface , so it offers few options to create and edit a text with truly complete features. Since, it simply relies on some selections to format the text and that’s it, so does not have the ability to add elements within documents , such as images, tables, etc. Therefore, it is considered an ideal tool for users who only need to make simple creations or edits.
Thus, ZenPen basically has a color inverter , to be able to customize the workspace and, in that way, it only allows you to write a text with black letters and white background or , a text with white letters and a black background. It is possible to insert simple formats such as bold or italic letters .
Draft
Through a very clean interface, this is another of the alternatives to Microsoft Word Online you use most today. Thus, it is a free service designed for users who need to create documents in which other people must intervene . That is, it is also considered an editor based on collaborative texts, so it is a very similar solution to Authorea.
Also, in Draft you must register using your email and any password to access the number of times you want. On the other hand, it is valuable to note that this service achieves a balance between offering the main and sufficient features to create and edit a text in a useful way and, at the same time, have a minimalist aspect that achieves that users don’t get distracted while doing any work .
It has a complete ease of use, allows you to add formatting to the text without having to separate your hands from the computer keyboard and has functions to import documents from services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, Box and others.
Hemingwayapp.com
Another good alternative to Word Online and also very simple, is Hemingway that stands out for being an online service that offers the main tools to create a text and adjust the most essential parameters . One of its main advantages is that it saves you the annoying process of registering, so once you enter your website, it is immediately possible to start writing or editing the text you want to make.
Added to this, it also has other benefits that are based on the great capacity it contains . Being this, one of its best features with which the service can analyze what you write and through it, show the level of readability reached by the document in question .
It even offers you a series of tips, depending on the main mistakes you make during writing and which, of course, are considerable. You can see this by clicking on the “ Edit ” field, which is located in the upper right part of the window.
ThinkFree Office Online
Finally, we recommend using this online office application, compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux computers . Which, is based on a web edition that contains word processor, spreadsheets and presentations, but only supports a period of free trial for 30 days . Therefore, if you like the platform and want to continue using it, when this time is up, you need to cancel a subscription plan.
In this way, ThinkFree Office Online presents a completely clean and eye-catching interface that, compared to the services that we indicate in this list, is the best of all . Since, it allows you to make use of excellent features to create, edit and manage documents online on a professional level and even share files with other users, so it also reveals a good document transfer function.
This service, like the others, can be run from any web browser , is simple to use, does not require installations or updates at any time, works very quickly and presents compatibility with all Microsoft Office formats .