Nothing stops us from downloading a copy of LibreOffice / Apache OpenOffice, taking advantage of Google Docs, or exploring alternatives like Zoho Office Suite, but most users tend to forget that there are official ways to get Microsoft Office for free, without shady downloads or patches of dubious origin. All you need is a compatible Microsoft account and a stable internet connection.

Two Ways to Get Microsoft Office for Free
Microsoft Office for free

Yes, Office Has a Cloud Version…

Microsoft Office is one of the most requested software tools, yet most people overlook that a free online version exists. This seems like a serious advertising or communication failure on Redmond's part (not the first time), and although it doesn't have 100% of the features of the traditional Office suite, this online version is more than sufficient for basic and intermediate projects.

Two Ways to Get Microsoft Office for Free
The main Office online interface. Click on one of the apps and get started!

All it asks in return, besides a stable connection and a compatible browser, is a Microsoft account. It doesn't even have to be a new one; I personally use my old @hotmail.com address, and it works perfectly. Documents are saved in the free 5 GB that OneDrive offers to free users (25 GB if you have a legacy account), or you can create local copies for later editing in an offline Office.

Two Ways to Get Microsoft Office for Free
Feel free to take advantage of the templates for Word.

And a Version for iOS / Android

Microsoft's mobile strategy has had the precision of a Stormtrooper shooting rebels, but beyond its own mistakes, the Office edition for iOS and Android works quite well. Fortunately, connecting a keyboard and mouse to mobile devices is no longer a nightmare, and in moments of special need, getting Microsoft Office for free on iOS and Android is a real advantage.

Two Ways to Get Microsoft Office for Free
The templates available for Excel.
Two Ways to Get Microsoft Office for Free
An Excel session, with a box to save the template locally.

Now, the full package is a bit heavier than we expected (almost 100 MB download on Android), and for some strange reason it's not available for emulators, but those are secondary technical details. Alternatively, you can download Word or Excel separately, avoiding everything else.

Two Ways to Get Microsoft Office for Free
The Office start screen on Android, and a quick look at Word.
Two Ways to Get Microsoft Office for Free
Not bad for a free, mobile Excel.

It's Not Perfect, but…

… some suggest that the perfect is the enemy of the good, and if you need to create a résumé or if the youngest member of the house has to write four pages about Saturn's rings for next week, the free, online edition of Microsoft Office will be a good ally. Give it a try!