Google plans to add Microsoft 365 integration to ChromeOS

Microsoft 365, also referred to by most people as Microsoft Office, isn’t necessarily the most popular productivity solution on Chromebooks, especially as Google offers its very own alternative to customers.

But even so, the popularity of the suite is growing, and Google too knows that it needs to improve the experience that its users are getting on Chromebooks.

At this point, the only way to use Office on a Chromebook is by turning to the web apps, which Microsoft provides for Word, PowerPoint, and Excel through Google Chrome.

Google, however, says big changes are coming on this front, as the experience with Microsoft Office on a Chromebook will soon get a major overhaul.

The company seems to tease a new installation method for Office, though further details would only be shared at a later time.

“Today, users of Microsoft 365 and OneDrive software can use the Progressive Web App (Installable here) for their Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or Excel needs. To further help these users, we will have a new integration later this year on ChromeOS, making it easier to install the app and open files,” the company explained.

Furthermore, once Microsoft 365 lands on Chromebooks in a more integrated way, users will also get a more straightforward connection to OneDrive as well.

“Users will be offered a guided setup experience that takes them through the process of installing the Microsoft 365 web app and connecting Microsoft OneDrive to their Chromebook Files app. Files will be moved to Microsoft OneDrive when opening in the Microsoft 365 app,” Google says.

At this point, it’s not yet clear when the new feature should go live, but Google says the public launch is scheduled to start in the coming months. Dev and Beta channel users will receive a preview much sooner. Softpedia