Microsoft 365 - What's it like on a Mac?

Summary

This video explores the Microsoft 365 experience on Mac, comparing it with Windows. It highlights that 90% of Microsoft 365 functionalities are consistent across both platforms, with minor differences in font styles and hardware-based features like inking. The video also covers OneDrive integration, sharing and collaboration capabilities, and the Outlook experience on Mac. It concludes by mentioning the similarities in core Office apps and the limitations in OneNote due to hardware constraints.

Takeaways

• 📘 The channel 'All Things Microsoft' discusses the compatibility and functionality of Microsoft 365 on both Surface and MacBook Air, despite the channel's focus on Microsoft products.
• 🔄 Microsoft 365, formerly known as Office 365, was rebranded in April 2020, offering more features at the same price.
• 🖥️ The experience of using Microsoft 365 on a Mac is very similar to using it on Windows, with about 90% of functionalities being identical.
• 🔍 There are minor differences in the user interface, such as font styles, due to different system guidelines for Windows and macOS.
• 📱 For MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar, the Ribbon features can be displayed on the Touch Bar itself.
• ✍️ Inking is a notable difference; while Windows supports direct screen drawing on touch-enabled devices, Mac users can draw using the trackpad.
• 📈 Core apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint offer familiar experiences with minimal differences between Windows and Mac versions.
• 📚 OneDrive integrates seamlessly with Mac, appearing as a regular drive and offering similar sharing and collaboration features.
• 📧 Outlook on Mac maintains a similar experience to Windows, with minor differences in UI and functionality.
• 📓 OneNote is also available on Mac with the same core functionalities, but lacks certain inking features due to hardware limitations.
• 🔍 The video script suggests that future content will explore the use of Microsoft 365 on Chromebooks.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'All Things Microsoft' channel?

The main focus of the 'All Things Microsoft' channel is to discuss and showcase Microsoft products, particularly Microsoft 365 and its applications.

What was rebranded as Microsoft 365 in April 2020?

Microsoft 365 was rebranded from Office 365 in April 2020, offering more features under the same price.

What is the significance of discussing Microsoft 365 on a Mac?

Discussing Microsoft 365 on a Mac is significant because it highlights the cross-platform capabilities of Microsoft 365, allowing users to utilize the suite on various devices.

How similar is the Microsoft 365 experience on Mac compared to Windows?

The Microsoft 365 experience on Mac is very similar to Windows, with about 90% of the functionalities being the same, except for some hardware-based features and certain applications like Access and Publisher which are only available on PC.

What are some of the visual differences between Microsoft 365 applications on Windows and Mac?

The visual differences include the font styles, which adhere to the respective operating system's guidelines, making the applications look native to Windows or Mac.

What unique feature is available for Microsoft 365 users on a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar?

Users with a MacBook Pro and Touch Bar can utilize the ribbon features directly on the Touch Bar, which is a unique feature not available on Windows devices.

How does inking work on Microsoft 365 for Mac compared to Windows?

While Windows supports direct screen drawing on touch-enabled devices, Mac does not have touchscreens. However, Mac users can still draw using the trackpad with a feature that mirrors the trackpad movements onto the screen.

What are some of the core applications of Microsoft 365 that are similar across Windows and Mac?

The core applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint have a very similar experience across both platforms, with features like the ribbon, Immersive Reader, referencing options, and premium templates being available on both.

How does OneDrive function on a Mac?

OneDrive installs like any other drive on a Mac and is accessible via Finder. It also offers the same sharing interface as on Windows, allowing for easy collaboration.

What are some of the differences in Outlook when used on a Mac compared to Windows?

Outlook on a Mac has fewer tabs on the ribbon, a simplified interface, and differences in how new messages and calendar events are handled, such as pop-up windows for new emails and less ease in adding certain types of calendars.

What is the status of OneNote in the Microsoft 365 suite when used on a Mac?

OneNote in the Microsoft 365 suite on a Mac has all the expected features of the core Office apps, but lacks inking and Math Assistant functionalities due to hardware limitations.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Microsoft 365 on Mac Overview

The script introduces the comparison between Microsoft's Surface Laptop 3 and Apple's MacBook Air in the context of Microsoft 365, formerly known as Office 365. It clarifies that Microsoft 365 is not only for Windows but offers a consistent experience on Mac, with 90% of Windows functionalities available. The presenter notes minor differences, such as the absence of Access and Publisher on Mac, and hardware-specific features like inking, which are not as advanced on Mac as on Windows devices with touchscreens. The look and feel of Microsoft 365 apps on Mac are discussed, highlighting the adaptation to macOS's font and design guidelines, and the unique touch bar integration on MacBook Pro models.

05:01

📊 Microsoft 365 Features and OneDrive on Mac

This paragraph delves into the specifics of using Microsoft 365 on a Mac, including the availability of premium templates, the functionality of OneDrive as an integrated drive, and the sharing interface that mirrors the Windows experience. It also touches on Outlook for Mac, noting similarities and differences in the interface, such as the simplified ribbon and pop-up email windows. The presenter mentions the lack of certain features like quick analysis in Excel for Mac and the inability to add certain types of calendars in the Mac version. OneNote's functionality on Mac is briefly summarized, noting the absence of inking and Math Assistant features due to hardware limitations.

Keywords

💡Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365, previously known as Office 365, is a subscription service that offers a suite of productivity software and collaboration tools. It is central to the video's theme as it discusses the compatibility and functionality of Microsoft 365 on different devices, specifically Windows and Mac. The script mentions that Microsoft 365 was rebranded to offer more features at the same price, emphasizing its value and versatility across platforms.

💡Surface Laptop 3

The Surface Laptop 3 is a laptop computer developed by Microsoft, which is mentioned in the script to illustrate the Microsoft product line. It is used as a comparison point to the MacBook Air in the context of Microsoft 365's cross-platform capabilities, showing that Microsoft's hardware can also utilize the suite of applications available through Microsoft 365.

💡MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is a laptop computer from Apple, which is brought into the discussion to explore the experience of using Microsoft 365 on a non-Windows device. The script highlights that despite being on a Mac, users can still perform the vast majority of tasks they would on a Windows machine, showcasing the universality of Microsoft 365.

💡Office Applications

Office Applications refer to the suite of programs within Microsoft 365, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The script discusses how these applications function on a Mac, noting that the experience is very similar to that on Windows, with only minor differences due to hardware and system guidelines.

💡Inking

Inking is the ability to write or draw directly on the screen using a stylus or touch input. The script explains that while inking is available on both Windows and Mac devices, the implementation differs due to hardware capabilities. For instance, Windows 10 touch-enabled devices allow for direct screen drawing, whereas Mac relies on trackpad gestures for a similar experience.

💡OneDrive

OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service, which is integral to the video's discussion on file sharing and collaboration within Microsoft 365. The script explains how OneDrive integrates with the Mac system, allowing users to access and share files similarly to how they would on Windows, emphasizing seamless cross-platform functionality.

💡Outlook

Outlook is an email client and personal information manager included in Microsoft 365. The script touches on the Outlook experience on Mac, noting similarities and differences in interface and functionality compared to Windows. It highlights the consistent access to contacts, tasks, and calendar features across platforms.

💡Trackpad

The trackpad is a pointing device found on Mac laptops, which the script mentions as a unique input method for inking on Mac devices. While Macs do not support direct screen touch input like some Windows devices, the trackpad allows for a simulated inking experience, demonstrating the adaptability of Microsoft 365 to different hardware inputs.

💡Immersive Reader

Immersive Reader is a feature within Microsoft Word designed to assist with reading and writing, including learning languages. The script points out that this feature is available on Mac, just as it is on Windows, showing the commitment to providing a full-featured experience regardless of the operating system.

💡Templates

Templates in Microsoft 365 are pre-designed documents that users can quickly utilize for various purposes. The script gives an example of how users can access a range of templates through the Office website or directly within the app on both Windows and Mac, illustrating the ease of use and time-saving benefits of Microsoft 365.

💡OneNote

OneNote is a digital note-taking app that is part of the Microsoft 365 suite. The script briefly mentions that OneNote's core functionality is consistent across Mac and Windows, with the main differences being related to inking features, which are limited by the hardware capabilities of the respective platforms.

Highlights

The channel 'All Things Microsoft' compares the Surface Laptop 3 and MacBook Air, focusing on Microsoft 365's cross-platform capabilities.

Microsoft 365, a rebrand of Office 365, was launched in April 2020, offering more features at the same price.

Microsoft 365's benefits include its usability across various devices, including Mac, which is often overlooked.

On Mac, Microsoft 365 offers about 90% of the functionality available on Windows, with minor exceptions.

Office applications on Mac have a similar look and feel to their Windows counterparts, with some macOS-specific styling.

MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar can display Office ribbon features, enhancing the user interface.

Inking capabilities differ between Windows and Mac, with Mac offering trackpad drawing options.

Office apps on Mac, such as Word and PowerPoint, retain core functionalities with minimal differences.

Excel on Mac lacks some Windows-specific features like Quick Analysis but remains feature-rich.

OneDrive integrates seamlessly with Mac, functioning like any other drive and offering similar sharing options.

Outlook on Mac provides a similar experience to Windows, with some differences in interface and functionality.

OneNote on Mac maintains core functionalities but lacks certain inking and Math Assistant features.

Templates are easily accessible in Office apps on Mac, aiding users in creating documents like household budgets.

Collaboration features in Office apps are consistent across Mac and Windows, allowing real-time editing and commenting.

The video promises a future look at Microsoft 365's experience on Chromebooks, indicating ongoing content exploration.

The video concludes by inviting viewers to subscribe for more content and to share their questions in the comments.

Transcripts

this channel is called

all things microsoft so you might be

wondering why do we have both a surface

laptop 3

and a macbook air on the table i mean

sure the surface you know it's a

microsoft product obviously we have it

here

but macbook what are these two

possibly have to do with each other on a

channel

that is called all things microsoft

was microsoft 365 obviously

microsoft 365 family and personal

officially launched back

in april 2020 and for anyone who might

not know what it is it's a rebrand

of office 365 so new name more features

same price there is an entire video on

this channel where you can see me say

that line a bunch of times

so check it out if you like naturally

whenever we talk about microsoft 365 and

the office applications we're normally

showing you stuff

on windows generally goes hand in hand

really

the one thing we never really talk about

is how the experience works

on mac which seems a bit mad considering

one of the biggest benefits of microsoft

365 is the fact that you can use it on a

number

of different devices so we're going to

fix that

now from the outset i can tell you that

on mac you can do a solid 90

of what you'd expect to do on windows

when it comes to microsoft 365. there

are a few emissions which are

really hardware based that we will cover

plus you don't get access to

access or publisher applications they're

only pc but when it comes to the

differences this will hopefully be

a shorter video than you expected the

first place to start really is with the

look of the apps now

you can see here with them next to each

other with the exception of how windows

and mac os handles their application

windows

they actually look really similar one of

the main differences

is weirdly the font hear me out on this

one

so windows and mac os they have

different guidelines for

how font styles work on the system which

is why windows looks like windows and

mac

looks like mac as you expect microsoft

365 and the office apps on a mac

look well mac-like

i realize that's a really weird point to

put in but

i thought it was cool so it's there

beyond that it's a very similar

experience across the office apps

it's all there now the big difference is

the first one is one that i can't

physically show you as i've got a

macbook air here

but if you've got a macbook pro that has

a touch bar you will have options to

have the ribbon featured in the touch

bar itself which is pretty cool

the other big difference of course is

inking now this isn't just a 365 thing

this is an

all up hardware thing fact is if you

want to draw on your screen you can do

with a windows 10 device as long as it's

touch enabled so with our surface laptop

3 here

granted not the best example i know

because it doesn't have a hinge but

still

you can use a pen to draw directly onto

the screen and

use things like ink editor to edit your

document that's the experience you get

with mac there is no touch screens that

is reserved for the

ipad space the thing is though you still

get drawing options

for the office apps on mac now one big

difference is actually a feature that

isn't seen on windows and that's the

ability to draw with the trackpad and

it's actually quite cool

if you tick the option that is on the

ribbon there

you'll have a trackpad up here on screen

and with two fingers you can move the

space around and with one finger

will draw onto the page in relation to

where it is on the trackpad

so that's pretty cool you don't get ink

editor options here uh but that is one

of the few emissions

again that is mostly hardware based

there are great inking options on ipad

that's maybe something we will look at

in the future

just not today elsewhere things across

the core apps of word excel and

powerpoint are very familiar

everything you expect to be in the

ribbon is there we have immersive reader

within word to help you with writing and

to even learn english

there is the full range of referencing

options for automatic bibliographies if

you're a uni

don't know about that one you're missing

a trick there so pick that one up

there is the researcher function so you

never have to leave the app and can look

up

uh articles online straight from the

word uh powerpoint has more

3d images ink to text and shape is there

uh though again you'll need to use

either the trackpad or have an external

setup for that to work

uh automatic subtitles animations etc

excel has excel stuff

look i realized that i meant to be the

expert on microsoft 365 for this team

but even i am happy to admit

that i'm not the best when it comes to

excel i can tell you

that again like word and powerpoint

there are minimal differences the only

thing i spotted from a bit of a play

around was that there was no

quick analysis there which is a handy

tool on windows but if you're a big

excel user you'll find

everything you need and if you're not

then you can cheat like me

because just like in windows you get

access to premium templates so if you

wanted to create

a household budget for example you have

loads of easy and ready to use templates

right there just go to

templates.office.com or you can even

open them up straight

out of the app i cheated xl all right so

can you

the big thing i want to talk about here

is onedrive

of course if you're a mac user you

likely already use icloud

so how does onedrive work in this

instance so

what's really cool about onedrive is

that installs just like any other

drive and is accessible via your

explorer be it folders pictures files

whatever it just works the same

the same goes for the sharing interface

when you want to collaborate so

check out this cool little shot on

windows you can have the sharing pane

and here it is you can right click on a

file click share

or use the interface within word

powerpoint or excel and here is the same

window on

mac you get the exact same option so if

you want to block editing or set an

expiry date

or send directly to an email you're good

to go you've then got the same

collaboration experience as well so you

can see who is editing and where

plus you've got the comments panel for

when people are away which they'll get

emailed about

cool speaking of emails i almost forgot

about

outlook and just like everything else

it's a similar experience

once again so you've got a lot of

options that you where you would expect

to see them

you've also got the same access to

contacts to do

and calendar which actually looks even

better with

these tabs here which have got this more

kind of apple style look to them i

absolutely love them also if you use

sticky notes for instance on windows you

can actually see

those notes with the tabbed menu for

outlook for mac

so that is super useful some of the

differences you'll find is that there

aren't as many tabs

on the ribbon which is much more

simplified a lot of your message related

content

like signatures for instance those will

appear when you create a new message so

that does take a bit of getting used to

there's also a difference with how

things open so when you open a new email

for instance it

flies in as a pop-up which you can't

then move around so this is just

integrated into the way

mac handles uh different windows uh you

may also find some restrictions for

copying direct from another office

application for instance i found that

when i tried to copy a table from excel

into an

outlook message on mac uh it would uh

not insert as a table or just insert

as text that you had also with calendar

you can't add calendars as

easily as you can on the windows version

like sports calendars for instance which

uses bing

to automatically generate fixtures but

you can do that with a web version

which is something we will look at in

the future the only thing i haven't

really mentioned

is onenote which is a quick summary

really like the core office apps

everything you'd expect is there

the key emissions is stuff to do with

inking and math assistant isn't there

either for the same inking and hardware

based reasons we discussed earlier

although you can draw via cursor or

plugged in hardware as we said earlier

as well so that is pretty much it for

now

this has just been an overview of the

experience between mac

and windows with all of microsoft 365

let us know in the comments

if you would want to see a more detailed

look at some of the apps

we can't do that in this one as it would

be one of the longest videos of all time

because we did everything

next time we will look at the

differences for chromebooks in the

meantime you can check out some of our

other content over here

which may well be in a chromebook video

depending when you watch this

and you can of course subscribe for the

latest as well

send us your questions in the comments

and we'll yeah see you next time

foreign