Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac was recently released and it brings a set of valuable features and enhancements for those who are yet to be cloud-connected. As a onetime release, Office 2019 will not receive future feature updates. However, it’s an upgrade from Microsoft Office 2016 with many next-gen features.
Here are the new features that Mac users will get to enjoy with Microsoft Office 2019.
1. Powerful data analysis
Microsoft Excel still reigns supreme when it comes to data management and analysis. Microsoft office for mac users can expect new formulas and charts. With this, it will be much simpler to analyze and present data in a format that is easy to comprehend. New charts include funnel charts, timelines and 2D maps.
Users also have the access to new connectors and functions such as CONCAT, IFS, SWITCH, and TEXTJOIN among others. Other features include the ability to publish Excel to Power BI, Power Pivot and Power Query enhancements.
2. Better email management
If you are an Outlook user, then you will surely love Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac. For starters, it comes with an intuitive interface which allows you to send, receive and manage your emails better. Microsoft has also updated Outlook’s contact cards, which make it easier for users to share their contact information with others.
Apart from the updated contact cards, users should look forward to a focused inbox, travel package cards, @mentions, Office 365 Groups, send later function to delay, travel and delivery summary cards. With these new features, Microsoft has surely eliminated the hassles common with poor email management applications.
3. State-of-the-art presentation features
Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most popular presentation software used in boardrooms, meeting rooms and even lectures halls. To help Mac users continue creating beautiful, intuitive and easy to understand presentation slides, Microsoft has added new features.
One of its important features is the Morph and Zoom capability. This will help users create sophisticated and stylish presentations. Other features include insert and manage icons, 3D models and SVG, 4K video export and Play in-click sequence.
In addition, the software is bundled with inking features such as tilt effects, roaming pencil case and pressure sensitivity, which allow you to create documents naturally.
4. Easier document creation
Microsoft Word was not left out when Office 2019 was being revamped. One of the best features that users will surely enjoy is Focus Mode. This feature will help you complete your reports much easier. Also, it will block out distractions and place your content at the forefront. Microsoft has included an accessibility upgrade like Read Aloud which is a time saver when editing and proofreading your documents.
For those who love the dark theme, then you can now change your Microsoft Word classic blue theme to dark. Other features include office sounds, translator, customizable ribbons, learning tools, captions, audio descriptions and text to speech.
5. Third party add-in program
Microsoft first introduced the Office add-in program with Office 2013. Thanks to the platform’s popularity, Microsoft has decided to include the add-in program with Office 2019 for Mac.
Microsoft has collaborated with companies such as Yelp, Uber, and PickIt. The reason for collaborating with the above companies and more is that their services are integrated into Office. The addition of these services in Office 2019 for Mac brings programmatic development of solution-specific buttons and ribbons. In addition, it allows for centralized deployment of such services.
For instance, Starbucks has built an Outlook add-in. This add-in allows users to send e-gifts via Outlook and even schedule meetings at any Starbucks located nearby. Thus, there isn’t any need of booking a conference room.
Final Thoughts
As said earlier, Office 2019 is a breath of fresh air for Mac users. As an update for those users who are not ready for the cloud, Office 2019 comes with many new features. Its Focus Mode feature helps block distractions and place your content front and center. You also have inking features such as tilt effects, roaming pencil case and pressure sensitivity. This feature is available with Windows Surface edition. It allows users to work with the digital pen and enhance their work. Another feature Mac users will love is 4K video export and Play in-click sequence for PowerPoint.
For Outlook users, you have the focused inbox which allows you to move less important emails out of your way and focus on business plus updated contact cards. Now you can share your contact information with better templates.
One thing Mac users should remember is that Microsoft Office 2019 is not going to receive future feature updates. In addition, users will not enjoy the real benefits of security, productivity and the total cost ownership available with cloud services (Office 365).
Overall, Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac is a great update and a recommended application for Office 2016 Mac users.
