Features of Microsoft Word 2019 for Mac

Made for Mac

Improved menu

New tabs and options accelerate several aspects of your work as you use the home screen in Word for Mac 2019. For example, you can access the Recent files folder to view your most recently opened Word files for quick access without browsing through local files.

Another folder readily available is called Shared With Me. It contains files and documents that were previously shared to the Microsoft account you’re currently signed into. This folder eliminates the need to browse through your emails or messages and look for share links, as you can easily access, open, and edit everything you have permissions for right from the folder.

Additionally to the new folders, there are new templates available for use as well, which can give you a headstart when it comes to starting up a new file.

Touch bar support

A feature entirely unique to Mac, most Office applications now offer support for the Touch bar found in new generation MacBooks. This allows you to perform different functions just by using the touch bar. This comes in handy with efficient shortcuts for basic functions such as copy and paste, but further capabilities are unlocked within Word itself. You can perform advanced shortcuts for commenting, formatting your text, and even the ability to insert images and links via the Touch Bar.

Better sharing and collaborating

Real-time collaboration

You can work together with other people in real-time by inviting them to edit a file alongside you. The changes someone makes to the document show up in real-time, allowing you to work more efficiently as a team.

The version history eliminates the chance of someone messing up the document, as changes can be reverted at any given time. You can even track and review changes made to a file then accept or reject them manually with the Simple Markup feature. The clean, easily understandable view of how different authors contributed to your file allows for quick reviewing as well.

The new collaboration tools also include easier sharing of your documents. You can select people from a drop-down menu, or alternatively, enter a name or email address and invite others to view or co-edit your work.

Take advantage of the cloud

Accessing your files has never been easier before. You can save your Word documents directly in the cloud, then access them on the go whenever you have access to the internet. Saving to SharePoint and SkyDrive is also an option for Word 2019 for Mac users.

In-app communication

If you need to talk to your co-writers in the midst of working on a document, there’s no longer a need for third-party messengers. Word 2019 for Mac includes an integrated chat that you can use to talk with others right from the application. Any time you need to converse quickly, the chat allows you to get your message across.

You can also leave comments inside a document. Make suggestions, mark areas in your document for future review, or just add general remarks for your fellow authors to see. All of these comments can be replied to, and once the discussion is over, you can disable further replies. Even disabled comments remain in the document, allowing everyone to return to it in the future.

Reading made easy

Book-like read mode

Are you tired of scrolling up and down in a document while reading? Do you want to change up how read mode works? You can use the new book-like view to see a different perspective of a file. Flip through pages in a book-like visual with your finger, mouse pointer, or scrollbar.

Focus mode

Focus mode is another Mac-specific feature. When you select this mode from the View tab, Word 2019 for Mac switches its interface and display into a dark background, and removes every toolbar and taskbar from your screen. This reduces the chance of getting distracted and focusing on your work. Despite the ribbon being removed in this mode, you can still perform some light editing in your document with the Touch Bar.

More accessible than ever

Learning Tools

A handful of useful options have been added to make reading documents easier. You can adjust how Word displays documents, for example, changing the background color of your page can reduce strain on the eyes when reading. You also have the option to improve pronunciation and word recognition by showing syllables, adjusting the column width, and much more.

Accessibility Checker

In addition to the new reading features and learning tools mentioned above, Word 2019 for Mac uses a technology to identify accessibility problems anywhere in your document. Changes are suggested and can be implemented with the click of a button, making your file comprehensible and easy to edit for other individuals.

Add visual impact to your documents

Digital pen support

Digital pen support became more practical in Word 2019 for Mac. Use a fully customizable set of digital pens, pencils, and highlighters to make your digital inking effortless yet attractive. You can highlight parts of your text, add hand-drawn elements or draw on top of charts and images.