Microsoft’s Office 2016 includes new versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint

It comes the same day that Microsoft launched Office 2016, the latest update to its productivity suite.

The new version also includes a range of security features, including support for data loss prevention across the Office 2016 apps, multi-factor authentication and “other mission critical control capabilities”, according to a blog from Julia White, general manager of Office 365 technical product management.

The latest version of Office has a refined user interface, new communication and collaboration tools, and tight integration with cloud storage.

Among new features, the software giant is touting co-authoring in Word, PowerPoint and OneNote, including the new real-time typing in Word.

Another main feature of Microsoft Office 2016 is Skye for Business.

The upgrade is available for Windows 7 devices or later, but unlike Windows 10, it won’t be for free.

Microsoft’s exciting next generation collaboration app GigJam is also now available in private preview and it will eventually become a part of Office 365 in 2016. Microsoft is delivering on the promise it made this summer and making the newest version of Office for Mac available as a one-time purchase.

Office 2016 marks the first major update to Microsoft’s best-selling office suite since 2013 – or 2011 if you’re a Mac user. Business customers can purchase Office 2016 Standard for Rs. 24,844 and Office 2016 Professional Plus for Rs. 33,911.

The features sound pretty interesting and having your documents connected online and to the cloud sounds like a great idea and it might even make some Google Docs users switch back to Office.

As Microsoft is trying to promote its subscription-based model, the subscription cost for Office 365 remains unchanged.

Of course, the promotion is only good for a year – users have to pay the full $70 for an Office 365 Personal subscription once their promotional period is up.

The new Office 2016 offers the level of collaboration that’s never seen before. “We are also adding information rights management to Visio”.

Cortana connects with Office 365 to help with tasks such as meeting preparation, with further integration with Outlook coming in November.

The app lets teams create boards for projects with tasks that can be assigned to members along with a due date, attachments and conversations.

Today is the worldwide release of MS Office 2016 for Windows.