Microsoft officially renames Office Web Apps to Office Online

Microsoft introduces Office Online. The software developer is thereby renaming Office Web Apps because the term ‘apps’ would be confusing. In addition, Microsoft has made the service easier to find via Office.com.

Microsoft previously put the name Office Online online in a comparison with the paid Office 365 suites, but now the name change has been officially implemented. The new name should ensure that the free Office service attracts more users. “We heard from users that the term Apps in the name was confusing. Is that something I need to install? Do I have to go to an app store to get them,” writes Microsoft’s Office team.

In addition, many users would have trouble finding the service. Microsoft mainly pushed Office Web Apps forward as an addition to its online storage service OneDrive, which was until recently called SkyDrive. Office Online can also be used directly via the cloud storage, but users can now also find the service via Office.com. Users can directly access Word Online, OneNote Online, PowerPoint Online and Excel Online here and use them after logging in with their Microsoft account.

Simultaneously with the name change, Microsoft has put a large number of new templates for Word, PowerPoint and Excel online. Last year, the Redmond-based company already added real-time collaboration to the free browser version of Office.