Microsoft tests Office Online advertising in WordPad

Microsoft is experimenting with placing bars of links to Office Online applications in WordPad. The ad offers users suggestions to try out the online version of Word, among other things.

The function is in WordPad found by developer Rafael Rivera. He shows six variants that Microsoft would consider. In various terms, Microsoft suggests that users try out the online versions of Word or the Office Online versions of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

Users can open the applications directly from the bar and seem to be able to close the ad bars as well. It is not known whether and if so when Microsoft actually wants to integrate the redirects into WordPad.

Microsoft is experimenting more often with references in Windows to promote its other services. Last December, the company started showing references to Office in Mail and Calendar.