Today (September 24, 2018) Microsoft has released Office 2019 for Windows and Mac users. This is the first big update to Microsoft Office since the 2016 version, which brings “classic versions” of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. And the Windows version also includes Publisher 2019, Access 2019, Project 2019, and Visio 2019.
According to the official blog post:
All the new changes in Microsoft Office 2019 are a subset of features that are already available on Office 365. Office 2019 is a one-time release and won’t receive future feature updates apart from regular security and stability. However, we’ll continue to add new features to Office 365 ProPlus monthly, including innovations in collaboration, artificial intelligence (AI), security, and more.
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What’s new in Office 2019?
With Office 2019, Microsoft includes a roaming pencil case and ribbon customizations across all Office apps. PowerPoint now includes SVG and 3D model support, play in-click sequence, 4k video export, Morph transitions, and Zoom through which you can create cinematic presentations. With Excel 2019, Microsoft has added new formulas, charts, and a bunch of enhancements to PowerPivot. There are new data analysis features as well. And for Word and Outlook, the company has introduced features like reading Aloud and Text Spacing, make it easier to engage with your content. Also, there is a Focus mode on both the software which blocks out distractions to a large extent.
Excel 2019 (Perform better data analysis)
Excel 2019 adds powerful new data analysis features, including new formulas and charts, 2D maps, and enhancements to PowerPivot. Users can also publish from Excel to Power BI in the Office 2019 version.
- Funnel charts, 2D maps, and timelines
- New Excel functions and connectors
- Ability to publish Excel to PowerBI
- PowerPivot enhancements
- PowerQuery enhancements
Word 2019 (Get work done easier)
Word 2019 helps you focus on what matters most. New black theme integration and Learning Tools, like reading Aloud and text-to-speech, make it easier to engage with your content. There are various accessibility and usability improvements.
- Black theme
- Learning tools (captions and audio descriptions)
- Speech feature (text-to-speech)
- Improved inking functionality
- Accessibility improvements
PowerPoint 2019 (Create more impactful content)
In PowerPoint 2019, Microsoft added enhanced zoom capabilities, the ability to manage 3D images within the program, and enhanced roaming pencil case features. you can create cinematic presentations with new features like Morph and Zoom. And improved inking features across the apps in Windows-like the roaming pencil case, pressure sensitivity, and tilt effects—
- Zoom capabilities for ordering of slides within presentations
- Morph transition feature
- Ability to insert and manage Icons, SVG, and 3D models
- Improved roaming pencil case
Outlook (Manage email more efficiently)
Microsoft has updated contact cards, support @ mentions within Outlook, and introduced a focused inbox feature that moves less important emails out of the way—
- Updated contact cards
- Office 365 Groups1
- @mentions
- Focused inbox
- Travel and delivery summary cards
OneNote also got the biggest update. Microsoft said in a separate release that it combines OneNote 2016’s best features with Windows 10 usability. These features include ink-to-text, improved syncing, and enhanced user experience. Office 2019 also includes new IT values for enhanced security and streamlined administration.
Only trusted Commercial volume license (trusted) customers can download Office 2019 starting today. If you’re an everyday user, you’ll have to wait until sometime in the “next few weeks” to get a copy.