The Android version of Microsoft Office applications has only been accessible in selected Google Chromebook laptops. However, it looks like the Office apps will be available for free soon in all Chromebooks, apart from the recently launched PixelBook.
As reported by Chrome Unboxed, many Chromebook users have reported spotting the Microsoft Office applications in the Google Play Store catalogue. The Android-based Office apps are reportedly present in Samsung's Chromebook Pro, Acer C771, and Acer Chromebook 15, thus raising the speculations that the applications will no longer be PixelBook exclusives.
The latest version of Microsoft Office applications for Android include all the important tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. According to NDTV, Chromebook users were introduced to Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Sheets as the default Microsoft productivity apps before the actual Office version became available in Google Play Store last year. Still, only a few Chromebook models have the Microsoft Office apps, including the new PixelBook and Asus Chromebook Flip, even as other Chromebooks have the same Google Play Store.
In spite of the Microsoft Office for Android now accessible in all Chromebook laptops, Google and Microsoft have no official announcement yet. Reports of Chromebook users seeing the Microsoft Office suite in their Google Play Store continue to pile up, with some users at Reddit confirming this development.
To note, the Android version of Microsoft Office apps in Google Chromebook devices has the same features as the apps in usual Android tablets. Although, not all Android devices have the same Office suite availability. For smaller devices like the 10.1-inch Asus Chromebook Flip, the Office apps can be accessed for free on Chrome OS. On the other hand, owners of larger Android devices need to apply for subscription. Microsoft is currently implementing a rule in all Windows, Android, and iOS machines, in which an Office 365 subscription for devices with larger than 10.1 inches display is required to create and edit documents.
