Version 1811 (Build 11029.20108)
Release date: December 11, 2018
This build focuses only on security updates, including fixing two Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities, two Microsoft Excel Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities, a Microsoft Outlook Remote Code Execution Vulnerability and a Microsoft PowerPoint Remote Code Execution Vulnerability.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more info about Version 1811 (Build 11029.20108).
Version 1811 (Build 11029.20079)
Release date: November 27, 2018
This build adds several minor features to Outlook, including letting you sort mail by flag status when using Focused Inbox and integrating the Focused Inbox better with search. PowerPoint now lets you add slide numbers to printed handouts. And for the entire Office suite, the Share, Copy Path to Clipboard, and Open File Location buttons are now more visible and more easily accessible.
Get more info about Version 1811 (Build 11029.20079).
Version 1810 (Build 11001.20074)
Release date: October 29, 2018
This build introduces new features throughout Office. In Excel, you’ll now be able to use a reply box to add and reply to comments in cells. You can also more easily edit text and formulas by using Ctrl-A to select text in a cell or the formula bar. In Outlook, it’s now easier to reserve a room via the calendar and to set your calendar to automatically dismiss reminders for events after they've ended.
PowerPoint gets new proofing tools. In addition, PowerPoint now takes rough, hand-drawn text and shapes it into finished diagrams. In Word, you can insert animated 3D graphics into documents.
In Access, Publisher, Project and Visio, Ribbon icons have gotten a new look. And in Excel, PowerPoint and Word you can change the opacity of a picture to, for example, allow text or information behind a picture to be visible.
Get more info about Version 1810 (Build 11001.20074).
Version 1809 (Build 10827.20181)
Release date: October 16, 2018
This non-security build fixes a variety of performance issues throughout the Office suite.
Get more info about Version 1809 (Build 10827.20181).
Version 1809 (Build 10827.20150)
Release date: October 9, 2018
This build focuses only on security updates, including fixing a Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability, a Microsoft PowerPoint Remote Code Execution Vulnerability, a Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability, a Microsoft Graphics Components Remote Code Execution Vulnerability for the entire suite, and Microsoft Office Defense in Depth Updates for Outlook and Word.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more info about Version 1809 (Build 10827.20150).
Version 1809 (Build 10827.20138)
Release date: September 27, 2018
This update offers new features for Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook, summarized below.
Excel
- A new Ideas pane, which Microsoft says is powered by AI, analyzes your data and displays visuals about it, and offers suggestions on what to do with it.
- Get & Transform has been tweaked by improving its connectors and the Column from Example feature.
- Ribbon icons have a new look.
- VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and MATCH calculations have been sped up.
Word
- You can now use @mentions in comments to let collaborators know you want their input.
- Equation Editor Converter lets you convert equations created using Microsoft Equation editor to Office Math ML format so they can be edited.
- Ribbon icons have a new look.
PowerPoint
- You can now insert animated 3D graphics in slides.
- PowerPoint now has proofreading tools that offer grammar and writing suggestions.
- Ribbon icons have a new look.
Outlook
- Safe Links protect you from malicious URLs you receive, but they hide the original URL. You can now hover your mouse over a URL to see the original URL, even in links protected by Safe Links.
- After you do a search, Outlook provides a suggested search query with spelling corrections.
- A Coming Soon tool lets you try new features before they’re released.
- Ribbon icons have a new look.
Get more info about Version 1809 (Build 10827.20138).
Version 1808 (Build 10730.20102)
Release date: September 11, 2018
This security update fixes four security issues: a Remote Code Execution Vulnerability and an Information Disclosure Vulnerability in Excel, a PDF Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Word, and Win32k Graphics Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in the entire Office suite.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more info about Version 1808 (Build 10730.20102).
Version 1808 (Build 10730.20088)
Release date: September 5, 2018
This non-security update adds a variety of minor new features and fixes for several Office applications. In Outlook you can prevent people forwarding your meeting invitation. Visio gets 26 new stencils and lets you add diagram content, including shapes and metadata, to a Word document, then customize it to create process guidelines and operation manuals. The update also fixes an issue in Excel in which the dotted line marking the range of cells selected for copying does not disappear and remains in the clipboard even after a subsequent user operation like paste.
Get more info about Version 1808 (Build 10730.20088).
Version 1807 (Build 10325.20118)
Release date: August 14, 2018
This security update fixes vulnerabilities in Access, Excel, Outlook, and the entire Office suite. In Access there’s a fix for a remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2018-8312), in Outlook there’s an update for Microsoft Office Defense in Depth (ADV180021), and in the Office suite, there’s a fix for an information disclosure vulnerability (CVE-2018-8378). Excel gets three security fixes: two remote code execution vulnerabilities (CVE-2018-8375 and CVE-2018-8379), and an information disclosure vulnerability (CVE-2018-8382).
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more info about Version 1807 (Build 10325.20118).
Version 1806 (Build 10228.20104)
Release date: July 10, 2018
This security update fixes three vulnerabilities: a Microsoft Access Remote Code Execution Use After Free Vulnerability in Access, a Microsoft Office Tampering Vulnerability in Outlook, and a Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability for the entire Office suite.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more info about Version 1806 (Build 10228.20104).
Version 1806 (Build 10228.20080)
Release date: June 25, 2018
This non-security update gives Office a variety of new features. In Excel, you can use Ctrl-A to select text in a cell or the formula bar. There's also improved support for emojis and other complex characters. In PowerPoint, you can title your slides using a pen, and Project keeps a running list of where you've saved other projects. The way in which you create recurring appointments in Outlook has been tweaked — “End by” rather than "No end date” is now the default setting. Visio gets more stencils and more icons. And support for Scalable Vector Graphics (SVGs) has been added to Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Get more info about Version 1806 (Build 10228.20080).
Version 1805 (Build 9330.2118)
Release date: June 12, 2018
This release has on several security updates and two non-security fixes. Two security holes are fixed in Excel: a Microsoft Excel Information Disclosure Vulnerability and a Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. One security hole is fixed in Outlook: a Microsoft Outlook Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability.
In addition, a non-security issue has been fixed in Outlook in which an application calling the MAPI API could result in a crash. In Project, a non-security issue has been fixed in which users are blocked from saving a subproject when working with them through the context of a master project.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more info about Version 1805 (Build 9330.2118).
Version 1805 (Build 9330.2087)
Release date: May 24, 2018
This extremely minor non-security update fixes a single issue, in which Outlook crashes when using the iCloud add-in.
Get more information about Version 1805 (Build 9330.2087).
Version 1805 (Build 9330.2078)
Release date: May 23, 2018
This update introduces a number of new minor features throughout Office. You can now chat with co-authors when collaborating in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Voice input for a variety of purposes has been added to Outlook, PowerPoint and Word. Word now lets you use pen input to split or join words, add a new line, or insert words. Access gets 11 new charts for visualizing data. In Visio, the Organization Chart, Brainstorming, and SDL templates have new starter diagrams. In Outlook, you can more easily share your calendars. In addition, calendars shared from Outlook Desktop are now also available in Outlook Mobile.
Get more information about Version 1805 (Build 9330.2078).
Version 1804 (Build 9226.2156)
Release date: May 14, 2018
This extremely minor, non-security update fixes a single issue in which, when you open an application, you might see a message about launching in Safe mode and then the application fails to open.
Get more information about Version 1804 (Build 9226.2156).
Version 1804 (Build 9226.2126)
Release date: May 8, 2018
This security update addresses issues in Excel, Outlook and the entire Office suite. It fixes several Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities and a Microsoft Excel Information Disclosure Vulnerability. In Outlook, a Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability is patched. And in the overall Office suite, two Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities are fixed.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1804 (Build 9226.2126).
Version 1804 (Build 9226.2114)
Release date: April 25, 2018
This update includes a variety of minor feature enhancements. Outlook can now read your email to you. You can also set reminders in Outlook to pop up over windows in which you’re working. There’s also a new option for encrypting messages.
PowerPoint can now convert scribbled notes and drawings into readable text and crisp shapes. In Project, you can now switch from one sprint view to another, and quickly move tasks between sprints. And in Word, the Editor pane now displays an overview of proofing issues found in a document, so you can focus on fixing the ones that are most relevant to you.
Get more information about Version 1804 (Build 9226.2114).
Version 1803 (Build 9126.2152)
Release date: April 11, 2018
This update addresses a variety of security problems and fixes a number of small issues. It fixes a Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability as well as two Office-wide Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities and an Office-wide Microsoft Office Information Disclosure Vulnerability. PowerPoint gets several non-security fixes, including one in which multiple users co-authoring the same presentation caused an incorrect duplication of slide masters. Word received a fix for an issue in which insufficient memory messages appeared.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1803 (Build 9126.2152).
Version 1803 (Build 9126.2116)
Release date: March 27, 2018
This non-security update fixes a number of small issues and adds several minor features. Microsoft Translator is now available from directly inside Excel and PowerPoint. Word, PowerPoint and Visio get improved support for high-definition displays. Several issues have been fixed in Excel, including one in which Quick Print of an Excel workbook attached to an Outlook email sometimes didn’t print, and another where using cube functions caused Excel to crash. And Outlook will now issue a blind carbon copy (Bcc) warning if you choose Reply All to a message that you were Bcc’ed on.
Get more information about Version 1803 (Build 9126.2116).
Version 1802 (Build 9029.2253)
Release date: March 13, 2018
This security update fixes vulnerabilities in Access, Excel and Word. A Microsoft Access Remote Code Execution Vulnerability was closed in Access, a Microsoft Office Excel Security Feature Bypass was closed in Excel, and a Microsoft Office Information Disclosure Vulnerability was closed in Word.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1802 (Build 9029.2253).
Version 1802 (Build 9029.2167)
Release date: February 26, 2018
This minor non-security update fixes a few minor bugs and adds several minor features. Among the new features are one in Outlook in which you can now see other people’s responses to meeting requests, even if you not the meeting organizer. In addition, Visio has a new database model diagram template that will let you accurately model your database as a Visio diagram. Among the issues fixed is one in which Skype for Business hangs when using the "call using conference center" option to invite users from the roster.
Get more information about Version 1802 (Build 9029.2167).
Version 1801 (Build 9001.2171)
Release date: February 13, 2018
This security update fixes vulnerabilities in Excel, Outlook, and the entire Office suite. In Excel, it targets a remote code execution vulnerability, and in Outlook it fixes an elevation of privilege vulnerability and a memory corruption vulnerability. For the entire Office suite, it fixes a memory corruption vulnerability and an information disclosure vulnerability.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1801 (Build 9001.2171).
Version 1801 (Build 9001.2144)
Release date: February 7, 2018
This extremely minor, non-security update fixes only one very small bug in Excel: an issue in which if your editing language is Japanese, Chinese, or Korean, Excel may freeze when you try to choose a new font on the Home tab or when you edit.
Get more information about Version 1801 (Build 9001.2144).
Version 1801 (Build 9001.2138)
Release date: February 1, 2018
This minor, non-security update fixes small bugs in Project and Skype for Business. Among the bugs fixed in Project is one in which the "Progress point shape" is drawn at an unexpected location, and another in which Actual Work is still shown in the reporting tables after being removed in a Save for Sharing session.
Among the bugs fixed in Skype for Business is one in which "More Options" and "Invite More People" buttons are hidden when a meeting is in full-screen mode, and another in which the P2P audio call window or conference call window becomes transparent when you attempt to join.
Get more information about Version 1801 (Build 9001.2138).
Version 1712 (Build 8827.2179)
Release date: January 30, 2018
This minor, non-security update fixes two small bugs. In Excel, an issue was fixed in which scroll bars were missing when a workbook was opened with Excel minimized. In Outlook, an issue was fixed in which search failed with “No matches found” when search was set to All Mailboxes.
Get more information about Version 1712 (Build 8827.2179).
Version 1712 (Build 8827.2148)
Release date: January 17, 2018
This non-security update adds a variety of minor features throughout the Office suite. Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio, and Word can now transform SVG pictures and icons into Office shapes so their color, size, and texture can be changed. An issue was fixed in Excel in which workbook references failed when opening multiple workbooks by double-clicking on the file names in File Explorer. In PowerPoint, you can add animations to 3D models. Skype for Business gets a number of minor additions, including a new call transfer button in the toast user interface for incoming PSTN calls.
Get more information about Version 1712 (Build 8827.2148).
Version 1711 (Build 8730.2175)
Release date: January 9, 2018
This security update fixes 14 security holes in Outlook, Excel, Word and the entire Office suite. It fixes a number of separate remote code execution vulnerabilities in each of those applications and the entire suite, in which an attacker can run arbitrary code or take control of the entire system if the current user is logged on with administrative user rights. It also fixes several memory corruption vulnerabilities in Word, which would allow an attacker to take control of the entire system if the current user is logged on with administrative user rights.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1711 (Build 8730.2175).
Version 1711 (Build 8730.2165)
Release date: January 2, 2018
This very minor update fixes two bugs. It resolves a PowerPoint issue in which removing document properties and personal information prevents saving to SharePoint. And it fixes a Project issue in which VBA code gets lost from projects.
Get more information about Version 1711 (Build 8730.2165).
Version 1711 (Build 8730.2127)
Release date: December 12, 2017
This security update fixes one vulnerability in Outlook and one in PowerPoint. It fixes the Microsoft Office Information Disclosure Vulnerability in Outlook, in which an attacker could potentially extract plain-text content from DRM-protected draft emails because Outlook failed to enforce copy/paste permissions on them. It also fixes a Microsoft PowerPoint Information Disclosure Vulnerability that would allow an attacker to craft a special document file, convince a user to open it, and then compromise the user’s computer and its data.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1711 (Build 8730.2127).
Version 1711 (Build 8730.2122)
Release date: December 6, 2017
This non-security update adds two very minor features and has a variety of bug fixes. In PowerPoint, when you export a presentation to video, you can now save it in Ultra HD (4K) resolution. In Word, you can have the status bar display a document’s word count as you type. Enable the option from the Customize Status Bar menu.
Project has six bug fixes, including one where the application hangs when using the Task Path feature, and another in which you can't drag tasks in the Timeline and Team Planner view. Skype for Business has nine bug fixes, including for one in which LinkedIn data does not appear in the Skype for Business Contact Card, and another in which in Conversation History, the caller is shown instead of the called person. This would happen when the called person's work number is modified using Active Directory.
Get more information about Version 1711 (Build 8730.2122).
Version 1710 (Build 8625.2139)
Release date: November 22, 2017
This extremely minor update has only two bug fixes. It fixes an issue in which users incorrectly see a "catastrophic failure" error message when opening an Office 2007 or older workbook (.xls or .xla) with macros. And it also fixes a bug in which Office crashes when users try to activate Office using the Activate Office dialog box.
Get more information about Version 1710 (Build 8625.2139).
Version 1710 (Build 8625.2132)
Release date: November 20, 2017
This update focuses on minor bug fixes, including one in which Excel crashes when a user tries to insert an object in an existing workbook and clicks Browse, and another in Excel in which the dialog box to enter the password to unlock a protected range isn’t visible. The entire Office suite also received minor bug fixes for several issues, including one with zooming and scaling in Office Add-ins under dynamic DPI environment.
Get more information about Version 1710 (Build 8625.2132).
Version 1710 (Build 8625.2127)
Release date: November 14, 2017
This update focuses primarily on security. Included are three fixes to Excel security holes, including two memory corruption vulnerabilities and one security feature bypass vulnerability. In addition, Word and the entire Office suite received security fixes. Also included is a fix to a bug in Excel in which users couldn’t close a workbook in protected view when the file name contained square brackets.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1710 (Build 8625.2127).
Version 1710 (Build 8625.2121)
Release date: November 2, 2017
This non-security feature update adds a few minor capabilities and fixes several issues. Word, PowerPoint and Excel all get a new pencil-like digital pen texture. You can also now use Microsoft Translator from directly in Word and translate words, phrases or the entire document. Project gets a variety of bug fixes, including one in which graphical indicators weren’t displaying correctly.
Get more information about Version 1710 (Build 8625.2121).
Version 1709 (Build 8528.2139)
Release date: October 16, 2017
This non-security feature update adds a few minor capabilities and fixes a number of bugs. Word gets a SharePoint property panel that lets you display and edit SharePoint document library column values from within a document via a new button on the View tab. In PowerPoint, you can now run a slideshow using a digital pen on a touchscreen device — a feature that requires the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Among the bugs fixed is one in which Project can crash when going to reports that contain several images.
Get more information about Version 1709 (Build 8528.2139).
Version 1708 (Build 8431.2107)
Release date: October 10, 2017
This security update plugs holes in Outlook, Word and the entire Office suite. Outlook gets two fixes, one for a security feature bypass vulnerability and another for an information disclosure vulnerability. Word gets one security fix, for a memory corruption vulnerability, and the entire suite gets one for a remote code execution vulnerability.
What IT needs to know: Because of the security fixes in this update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1708 (Build 8431.2107).
Version 1708 (Build 8431.2094)
Release date: October 4, 2017
This non-security, non-feature update fixes a wide variety of bugs – 10 in Excel alone. Among the Excel fixes is one where Excel crashes when opening an .XLL file, and another in which the AutoSave toggle isn't visible. In Outlook, one of the issues fixed is when Outlook crashes when the user is trying to set up a new account and they close the window without completing the account setup. Word, PowerPoint and Access also get a variety of miscellaneous fixes.
And several issues were fixed with the entire Office suite, including one in which Office file properties aren't displayed in File Explorer, and another in which Office add-in buttons disappear from the ribbon when there is a second document open.
Get more information about Version 1708 (Build 8431.2094).
Version 1708 (Build 8431.2079)
Release date: Sept. 18, 2017
This update adds new features and fixes a variety of bugs. You can now add 3D objects to Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint that you can rotate 360 degrees and tilt up and down. Excel, Word and PowerPoint also get new ink effects with metallic pens including rainbow, galaxy, lava, ocean, gold and silver. Access has two new connectors to Microsoft Dynamics and Salesforce. A number of miscellaneous, minor bugs have been fixed in Project and Skype, including one in Project in which the status field doesn't always calculate correctly for summary tasks, and one in Skype in which unread messages in persistent chat rooms are marked as read when you click IM conversation tabs.
Get more information about Version 1708 (Build 8431.2079).
Version 1707 (Build 8326.2107)
Release date: Sept. 12, 2017
This update focuses primarily on security issues, and includes security patches for Excel, PowerPoint, Skype and the entire Office suite. Among the fixes are two that have to do with memory corruption vulnerabilities in Excel, and two with remote code execution vulnerabilities in PowerPoint. Excel and PowerPoint also get minor, non-security patches.
What IT needs to know: Because of the security fixes in this update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1707 (Build 8326.2107).
Version 1707 (Build 8326.2096)
Release date: Aug. 29, 2017
This extremely small non-security update fixes only a single issue, in which end-user defined characters (EUDCs) that are linked to fonts fail to display.
Get more information about Version 1707 (Build 8326. 2096).
Version 1707 (Build 8326.2087)
Release date: Aug. 24, 2017
This very minor non-security update fixes one issue in Visio and three that affect the entire Office suite. In Visio, the bug squashed occurred when COM add-ins don't receive document opened events when a Visio file is opened by a double-click on a file icon or file name. The overall Office fixes include one in which hovering over a Common Control with a tooltip on it caused the application you’re using to crash.
Get more information about Version 1707 (Build 8326. 2087).
Version 1707 (Build 8326.2076)
Release date: Aug. 18, 2017
This very minor non-security update fixes two issues in Outlook and two in Word. In Outlook, it fixes a problem that causes intermittent crashes when opening Outlook, and another that makes it impossible to configure an IMAP account in Outlook. In Word, it fixes a problem that causes Word to crash when recovering cloud-based files, and another in which Word closes unexpectedly when loading the Grammarly add-in.
Get more information about Version 1707 (Build 8326.2076).
Version 1707 (Build 8326.2073)
Release date: Aug. 11, 2017
This extremely minor non-security update fixes only one Excel issue, in which a data refresh doesn't succeed or Excel crashes when using data from a SQL Server Analysis Services server and the locale of Excel and the locale of the SQL Server Analysis Services server differ.
Get more information about Version 1707 (Build 8326.2073).
Version 1705 (Build 8201.2171)
Release date: Aug. 8, 2017
This extremely minor non-security update fixes only three small issues, including one that prevents the What’s New dialog from appearing, and another with how some program files are signed, causing anti-virus programs to flag those files and have problems protecting or accessing data under Windows Information Protection (WIP). Also fixed is an Outlook issue that occurs when the scrollbar is dragged to move through a list of messages.
Get more information about Version 1705 (Build 8201.2171).
Version 1707 (Build 8326.2062)
Release date: July 31, 2017
This extremely minor non-security update fixes only one problem, an issue with Skype for Business in which non-English characters in chat and chat history are garbled.
Get more information about Version 1707 (Build 8326.2062).
Version 1707 (Build 8326.2059)
Release date: July 28, 2017
This extremely minor update fixes an issue with how some program files are signed, causing antivirus programs to flag those files as potentially dangerous. It also fixes problems protecting or accessing data under Windows Information Protection (WIP).
Get more information about Version 1707 (Build 8326.2059).
Version 1707 (Build 8326.2058)
Release date: July 27, 2017
The big news in this feature update is that Excel finally gets the collaborative editing features that Word and PowerPoint have had since Office 2016 was released nearly two years ago, in September 2015. People can now simultaneously work on a workbook, seeing each other’s edits. Excel also gets an AutoSave button, which when turned on automatically saves workbooks. PowerPoint gets the same feature. Also new in PowerPoint is that slides that have been modified by others are highlighted in a color, to make it easier to see at a glance which have been changed.
Other Office applications get a variety of minor additions, such as data connectors in Access now being able to import data from or link to data stored in Microsoft Dynamics or Salesforce. In Word, you can now create and edit equations using LaTeX syntax.
What IT needs to know: This update includes several security fixes for Outlook. Because of the security fixes, the update should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1707 (Build 8326.2058).
Version 1706 (Build 8229.2103)
Release date: July 19, 2017
This non-security update fixes a variety of very minor bugs, including one in Excel in which errors appear when trying to save changes to documents synced with the OneDrive client. The update also fixes a bug in Word that prevents shapes within the drawing canvas from being rotated.
Get more information about Version 1706 (Build 8229.2103).
Version 1706 (Build 8229.2086)
Release date: July 13, 2017
This security update fixes two security vulnerabilities in Excel and one in the Office suite overall. Both holes in Excel are memory corruption vulnerabilities. Attackers who exploit either could run arbitrary code as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of the system. The overall Office hole is a remote code execution vulnerability, which would also allow attackers to take control of the system if the current user is logged on with administrative user rights.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1706 (Build 8229.2086).
Version 1706 (Build 8229.2073)
Release date: June 28, 2017
This feature update lets you choose a personal set of pens, highlighters and pencils in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Choose them for one of the applications, and the same ones become available in the other two. In addition, when you insert pictures from the internet in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, attribution information for the pictures is inserted along with the pictures themselves.
In PowerPoint, when you create a chart, Designer will recommend designs for it based on the slide type and content in it. Excel gets a small Ribbon addition: You can now insert superscripts or subscripts by choosing Effects from the Font group on the Ribbon. You can also add subscripts and superscripts to the Quick Access toolbar. In addition, Outlook has gotten a new wizard for setting up new email accounts.
Get more information about Version 1706 (Build 8229.2073).
Version 1705 (Build 8201.2102)
Release date: June 13, 2017
This security update closes a variety of holes in Outlook, Skype for Business, Word, and the overall Office suite, including remote code execution vulnerabilities in Outlook, Word and Office. The update also fixes a minor bug in Excel in which Excel doesn't set the sheet protection password when applied programmatically for workbooks created in Excel 2010 or earlier.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1705 (Build 8201.2102).
Version 1705 (Build 8201.2075)
Release date: June 7, 2017
In this feature update, Excel gets a few small additions, including rearranged buttons on the Ribbon’s Data tab and the ability to export any query definition into an Office Database Connection (ODC) file and then share it across workbooks or with others. PowerPoint lets you add closed captions to videos, and Designer now recommends design ideas for charts added to your slides.
Get more information about Version 1705 (Build 8201.2075).
Version 1704 (Build 8067.2157)
Release date: June 1, 2017
This update fixes two minor bugs in OneNote and Outlook, one where the Outlook navigation pane stops rendering when the PC is low on memory, and one in which the OneNote canvas hides content or updates when many paragraphs are in view.
Get more information about Version 1705 (Build 8201.2157).
Version 1704 (Build 8067.2115)
Release date: May 18, 2017
With this feature update, Excel users can now personalize the default PivotTable layout and more easily import data from various sources. Outlook gets a new “focused inbox” feature, which divides the inbox into two tabs, Focused and Other. The messages that Outlook determines are the most important are put into the Focused tab, based on the content of the messages and whether they’re from someone with whom you frequently interact. Also, in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, you can now easily insert links to websites you’ve visited recently into files and emails — you’ll be able to choose them from a dropdown list.
What IT needs to know: With this update, admins can deploy and update add-ins for Excel, PowerPoint and Word to users or groups from the Office 365 admin center.
Get more info about Version 1704 (Build 8067.2115).
Version 1703 (Build 7967.2161)
Release date: May 9, 2017
This security update fixes assorted holes, including remote code execution vulnerabilities throughout Office, Word and Skype for Business.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1703 (Build 7967.2161).
Version 1703 (Build 7967.2139)
Release date: April 21, 2017
In this feature update, PowerPoint gets a QuickStarter feature, which creates an outline of the topic of your presentation, and offers suggestions for design and talking points. You can also use new Data Visualizer templates in Visio to automatically create a Basic Flowchart or Cross-Functional Flowchart from Excel data. A new Activity button in the upper right corner of Excel, PowerPoint and Word lets you see when a file shared in OneDrive for Business or SharePoint was shared, edited, renamed or restored. Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Word get the new Dubai font, which supports Arabic and Western European languages.
Get more information about Version 1703 (Build 7967.2139).
Version 1702 (Build 7870.2038)
Release date: April 11, 2017
This security update fixes two holes in Outlook, one of which allows an attacker to take control of a PC and install programs; view, change or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. It also fixes a remote code execution vulnerability in Office and WordPad that allows attackers to do the same thing.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1702 (Build 7870.2038).
Version 1702 (Build 7870.2031)
Release date: March 27, 2017
This update fixes bugs in Excel and Outlook, including one in which Excel crashes when a user tries to apply cell-level permissions, and one in Outlook in which users can’t search through .PST files.
Get more information about Version 1703 (Build 7870.2031).
Version 1702 (Build 7870.2024)
Release date: March 14, 2017
This security update fixes a variety of holes in Excel, Skype for Business and Word.
What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied soon. Over the next few days, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.
Get more information about Version 1703 (Build 7870.2024).
Version 1702 (Build 7870.2020)
Release date: March 9, 2017
With this feature update, PowerPoint gets a digital ruler that make it easier to draw straight lines or align a set of objects on touch screens. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook get a new tool that lets you remove picture backgrounds to make the main image stand out more. In Word, you can use a new Side to Side command on the View tab that lets you flip through a document two pages at a time on a touch screen. Those with non-touch screens can use the horizontal scroll bar or mouse wheel to move through the pages.
Get more information about Version 1702 (Build 7870.2020).
Version 1701 (Build 7766.2060)
Release date: February 23, 2017
With this feature and bug-killing update, you can use a digital pen in Word to select and change objects. In Outlook you can collaborate in real time on attachments uploaded to OneDrive for Business. A variety of bugs have also been fixed throughout Office, including an image-cropping bug in PowerPoint that caused the cropped portion of the image to appear dark.
Get more information about Version 1701 (Build 7766.2060).
Version 1612 (Build 7668.2074)
Release date: January 31, 2017
This update fixes minor issues in OneDrive for Business and Skype for Business, including one in which Skype hangs when multiple conversation windows are open simultaneously.
Get more information about Version 1701 (Build 7668.2074).
Version 1612 (Build 7668.2066)
Release date: January 25, 2017
This feature update lets you see who has made changes to shared files in Word, PowerPoint and Excel and lets you restore earlier versions of the files. The update also lets you use a digital pen to select and change objects in Excel. In addition, there are also a variety of bug fixes, including an issue with Office’s digital ink feature that causes the ink to shift slightly when the mouse button is released.
Get more information about Version 1612 (Build 7768.2066).
Version 1611 (Build 7571.2109)
Release date: January 4, 2017
This update fixes a variety of issues, including one in which the default template doesn't appear under File > New in PowerPoint, and another in which Excel hangs or crashes when closing.
Get more information about Version 1701 (Build 7571.2109).
Version 1609 (Build 7369.2024)
Release date: October 4, 2016
This feature update makes it easier to find and reuse content in Word and Outlook from a business’s relevant documents. (Note: This feature is available only in Office 365 Business Premium, E3 or E5.) It also lets you create a PowerPoint presentation composed of recorded slides, screen recordings and inserted videos, and share it to be viewed remotely.
Get more information about Version 1609 (Build 7369.2024).
Version 1605 (Build 6965.2053)
Release date: June 6, 2016
In this feature update, collaboration capabilities are grouped together on the Ribbon for Word and PowerPoint. In addition, in PowerPoint, multiple users can edit different elements in a SmartArt graphic simultaneously.
What IT needs to know: An AD RMS rights policy template setting will ensure that the "Grant owner (author) full control right with no expiration" setting is honored when applied to new Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, especially if the setting is disabled. If the setting is disabled, the user will see a warning that applying the template might restrict access to the document.
Get more information about Version 1605 (Build 6965.2053).
Version 1602 (Build 6741.2017)
Release date: March 17, 2016
This feature update makes it easy to de-clutter your inbox by quickly moving an item stored in your Inbox or any other folder to an archive folder. It also introduces the Groups feature to Outlook, which lets you collaborate and communicate with others by storing all of your project or team information, such as emails, discussions and events, in one shared location.
Get more information about Version 1602 (Build 6741.2017).
Version 1601 (Build 6568.2025)
Release date: February 16, 2016
This feature update lets you use your finger or pen to write and draw, and use the tools on the new Draw tab to highlight content in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. It also adds a new black theme to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote. Funnel charts, which display values as progressively decreasing proportions, have been added to Excel. In PowerPoint, when collaborating on a presentation with others, you can see which slide they are working on.
Get more information about Version 1601 (Build 6568.2025).
Version 1509 (Build 4229.1024)
Release date: September 22, 2015
This was the Office 2016 release. Here’s a summary of what was new:
- Office 2016 introduced a new Sharing pane that allows live collaboration with others in Word, PowerPoint and OneNote if the document is stored in OneDrive, OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online.
- Delve and Office 365 Planner were introduced for business versions of Office 365. Delve lets you see in-depth information about people with whom you work. Office 365 Planner makes it easier to plan and projects with others, using a central Planner Hub.
- Outlook took on email overload with the introduction of a “Clutter” folder, where Outlook sends mail it determines to be non-essential. (It learns, over time, what is essential and what isn’t.) A Groups folder was introduced to business versions of Outlook, making it easier to track communications in the group, including conversation threads, meeting requests and videos.
- TellMe was introduced, which makes it easier to find out how to accomplish tasks in Excel, Word and PowerPoint: Just type what you want to do in a “Tell me what you want to do” text box at the top of the screen.
- Smart Lookup was introduced, which makes it easier to do research or fact-checking by doing a Bing search on a word or group of words. It’s available in Word, PowerPoint or Excel.
- The Ribbon was given a solid color rather than white, with each Office application given its own identifying color.
- Excel added six new charts, including Treemap, Sunburst, Waterfall, Histogram, Pareto and Box & Whisper.
- Backstage (get there by clicking File on the Ribbon) shows you the email addresses of cloud-based services you've connected to your account, including SharePoint and OneDrive.
For a full review of Office 2016, see “Review: In Office 2016 for Windows, collaboration takes center stage.”
What IT needs to know:
- Data loss protection (DLP) features were added to Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Previously, DLP was available only in communications-oriented tools, including Exchange, SharePoint, Outlook and OneDrive for Business.
- System requirements for running Office 2016 were changed, including requiring 2MB of RAM.
- Outlook received under-the-hood improvements, including some designed to improve Outlook's stability on unreliable networks and others designed to reduce the download time of email. Outlook’s speed of search was also improved.
- An updated MAPI-HTTP protocol that Microsoft claims is more internet-friendly was released for Outlook.
- Users were given the ability to reduce the amount of storage space Outlook uses by choosing to keep one, three, seven, 14 or 30 days of email on their devices.
- A new service, Background Intelligence Transfer Service (BITS), was introduced; it prevents network congestion during Office updates.
- Office was better integrated with System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) so administrators can more efficiently distribute monthly updates as well as control the number and pace of feature updates and bug fixes.
For more information about changes to Office 2016 that affect IT, see “What's new for admins in Office 2016.”
Get more information about Version 1509 (Build 4229.1024).
