Office 2021 is the personal and small business ‘perpetual licence’, non-subscription version of Microsoft Office. For Windows and Mac.
Office LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel) is the volume licence ‘perpetual licence’, non-subscription version of Microsoft Office for organizations, companies and governments. Also for Windows and Mac.
The features in Office 2021 and Office LTSC are very similar, if not the same.
What the “Possible Word Choice” Error in Microsoft Word Really Means
If you’ve ever seen Microsoft Word underline a word with a cryptic “Possible Word Choice” warning, you’re not alone. This subtle feature of Microsoft Editor can confuse even seasoned users. It flags real words that might not fit the sentence’s context, often catching homophones or subtle mix-ups that spell-check misses. Here’s how this grammar alert […]
Simplify Excel Formulas with the CHOOSE Function
Tired of endless nested IF statements in Excel? The CHOOSE function offers a cleaner, smarter way to pick from multiple options using a single, simple formula. Learn how to replace complex conditional logic with CHOOSE(), streamline your spreadsheets, and make your formulas easier to read, maintain, and debug. Choose() an alternative to IF or NestedIF […]
KWN – three letters that all Word users should know
Ever had a heading in Microsoft Word that seemed to wander off from its paragraph like a rebellious teenager? Or a bullet point that ghosted its follow-up text? Enter “Keep with Next” or KWN to its friends, Word’s low-key matchmaker that makes sure certain paragraphs stay together—forever (or at least until you change your formatting). […]
Excel’s “Hebrew Shekel” Label Sparks Unfounded Online Rage
A viral post recently accused Microsoft Excel of bias for labeling the shekel as “Hebrew” instead of “Israel.” However, there’s no conspiracy—Excel lists currencies by language, not country, using the same format for all entries. Thanks to Office Watcher, Gary B. from Portland for alerting us to this bit of ragebait on social media. It […]
Unlock Hidden Details: Add more to Word Headers and Footers
Most Word users stop at page numbers and dates in their headers and footers, but Microsoft Word can do much more. From inserting document titles, authors, and file paths to using advanced field codes like StyleRef or NumPages, you can make your headers dynamic, informative, and even interactive. Discover the powerful, lesser-known elements you can […]
Mastering Headers and Footers in Microsoft Word: Simple Steps for a Professional Look
Creating polished, consistent headers and footers in Microsoft Word is easier than you think. This guide walks you through every step—from adding page numbers and section-specific layouts to using “Different First Page” for cleaner title pages. Whether you’re preparing reports, articles, or academic papers, these techniques will help your documents look professional, organized, and reader-friendly […]
How to Change Word Field Code Colors or Formatting Based on Number Values
Did you know you can make Microsoft Word automatically change text color or formatting depending on whether a number is positive, negative, or zero? With field codes like {SEQ} or {MERGEFIELD}, it’s easy to apply different font styles, colors, or highlights directly in your document—no macros required. This simple formatting trick lets you visually distinguish […]
How to Add Prefix and Suffix Text in Microsoft Word Styles (Workarounds Included)
Microsoft Word lacks native support for adding prefix and suffix text through styles—but clever workarounds can make it possible. This guide from Office Watch shows how to simulate prefixing and suffixing paragraphs or character styles, just like CSS’s :before and :after elements. Learn how to format consistent labels, product codes, or custom paragraph markers using […]
Microsoft Word Misses a Common Grammar Mistake: Largest to smallest
Microsoft Word’s grammar checker might help with commas and verb tenses, but it misses one subtle yet frequent English mistake, putting numbers, amounts, times, or dates in the wrong order. After our article on adjective order in English , Aussie Office Watch reader “MJ” pointed out something that Word doesn’t check for. Maybe it should […]
Why Windows Replaces Helvetica with Arial — The Hidden Font Substitution Explained
Did you know Windows quietly swaps out Helvetica font for Arial every time you open certain documents? This subtle substitution affects how text looks in Word, browsers, and more. Learn why Helvetica isn’t included in Windows, how Microsoft handles font replacements behind the scenes, and what you can do to regain control of your document’s […]
Is Microsoft Word Casually Homophobic? Why Grammar Checkers Differ
A viral post sparked debate over whether Microsoft Word’s grammar checker shows hidden bias, but the truth is more technical than cultural. Office Watch investigated and found that Word and Google Docs simply make different choices about what to flag in grammar suggestions. There’s no homophobia here, just decisions that shape how language tools interpret […]
Microsoft’s Aptos Fonts for Free — Use the New Office Font Anywhere
Microsoft’s default font family, Aptos, isn’t limited to Microsoft 365 or Office 2024. Anyone can download and install the complete Aptos font set directly from Microsoft to use across any app or platform. Whether you’re running Office 2021, older Office versions, or non-Microsoft software like LibreOffice, this quick download ensures full compatibility and access to […]
Excel dates: How to Reveal Year, Month & Day Details in many different ways
Want to show only the year, month, or day from an Excel date? We explain how to use the TEXT(), YEAR(), MONTH(), and DAY() functions or cell formatting to display or calculate date details efficiently. Learn when to use each method, which is fastest, and how your choice affects Excel performance and spreadsheet clarity. Once […]
How to Create a Striped Border in Microsoft Word for Emergency or Warning Signs
Need an attention-grabbing border for safety notices or urgent messages? Creating a striped border in Microsoft Word isn’t as simple as it seems—but with the right technique, you can design professional-looking emergency or warning signs in minutes. This step-by-step guide from Office Watch shows how to use Word’s background picture feature and text boxes to […]
Create Better Striped Borders in Microsoft Word with This Simple Trick
Want to make your Microsoft Word pages or signs stand out? Skip the frustrating page background tool and try this smarter way to add diagonally striped borders. Get full control over stripe position, color, and layout — perfect for eye-catching warning signs, notices, or creative designs that look sharp on every version of Word. A […]
Beware “Evil Kerning”: How Hackers Trick You with Fake Email Addresses
Cybercriminals are exploiting a subtle typography trick called evil kerning to disguise fake domains as trusted ones like Microsoft.com or Gmail.com. By tightening letter spacing, “rn” can appear as “m,” making scam addresses like rnicrosoft.com or grnail.com nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. Here’s how the scam works, why it’s so dangerous, and what you […]
