iPad Air New iPad - Microsoft office online not working

[Mac2019]

Got the new iPad Air (lovely device) and transferred over from my new one this morning but trying to edit spreadsheets and word docs it says I need a subscription even though it doesn’t on my iPhone and literally was fine on my old iPad earlier.

Anyone experienced this?

 

[secretk]

From what I remember you don't need subscription for devices under 10 inch but you do for those above. Was your old iPad 9.7 inch?

 

[Mac2019]

From what I remember you don't need subscription for devices under 10 inch but you do for those above. Was your old iPad 9.7 inch?

Yes it was. Oh my god really? That is so, so annoying!

 

[secretk]

Yes it was. Oh my god really? That is so, so annoying!

Yep, I think we have discussed this here in the forum but I cannot find the thread right now. But yes every device above 10 inch requires subscription when it comes to Microsoft.

ETA: found an article -> https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...cription-9ef8b63a-05fd-4f9c-bac5-29da046833ea

* Editing available only on screen sizes up to 10.1 inches.

Some qualifying plans and all non-qualifying plans have a screen size limit of 10.1 inches for editing in the Office mobile apps. For example, if you're using an iPad Pro with a 12.9 inch screen, you must have a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan with access to the desktop apps to edit files.

 

[Mac2019]

Yep, I think we have discussed this here in the forum but I cannot find the thread right now. But yes every device above 10 inch requires subscription when it comes to Microsoft.

So disappointing. Google sheets the same? If not, I’ll be moving everything over there!

 

[ejin222]

Yes, every device (not just Apple) above 10" needs a subscription. Google Sheets is "free" for every platform (free, but I'm sure it comes with them selling your data).

 

[secretk]

So disappointing. Google sheets the same? If not, I’ll be moving everything over there!

I have not used Google sheets (either on laptop or iPad) to share experience. Worth checking. But what about Numbers (Apple's counterpart to Excel). Have you tried it?

 

[Mac2019]

I have not used Google sheets (either on laptop or iPad) to share experience. Worth checking. But what about Numbers (Apple's counterpart to Excel). Have you tried it?

Massively inferior to excel but it will do the job as I’m not paying for it as can just use my work laptop. Not the end of the world as can use it on iPhone but used to do a lot on the iPad. Oh well.

 

[Mac2019]

Yes, every device (not just Apple) above 10" needs a subscription. Google Sheets is "free" for every platform (free, but I'm sure it comes with them selling your data).

If there’s any of my data left that hasn’t been sold by apple, Facebook, Twitter etc. Fairly sure they know more about me than I do.

 

[AutomaticApple]

(free, but I'm sure it comes with them selling your data).

Not much different from Microsoft Excel. That collects and sells your data too, so it is better than nothing. ?‍♂️

 

[kristalsoldier]

Not much different from Microsoft Excel. That collects and sells your data too, so it is better than nothing. ?‍♂️

I don’t think MS Excel does that. Sure they use the telemetry data for that app, but it’s unlikely they sell that data. A lot of enterprises use Excel and for quite sensitive information and analysis too. MS would have a disaster on their hands if it was shown that they traffic data from their Office Suite.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I don’t think MS Excel does that. Sure they use the telemetry data for that app, but it’s unlikely they sell that data. A lot of enterprises use Excel and for quite sensitive information and analysis too. MS would have a disaster on their hands if it was shown that they traffic data from their Office Suite.

I believe they collect and sell consumer and professional data, not data from enterprises where they could get in huge trouble.

 

[kristalsoldier]

I believe they collect and sell consumer and professional data, not data from enterprises where they could get in huge trouble.

No. Your information is incorrect. They use that model for Bing not for the paid Office 365 suite.

See here: https://www.microsoft.com/en/trust-center/privacy/data-management

 

[AutomaticApple]

They use that model for Bing not for the paid Office 365 suite.

Microsoft sets Bing as the default search engine though.

Microsoft to force Chrome default search to Bing using Office 365 installer

It’s a stealthy way to get more people to use Bing in businesses.

www.theverge.com

 

[Richard8655]

Just use Numbers, as mentioned. It'll immediately convert your Excel spreadsheets and keep the correct format. I had no issues at all and find Numbers just as good. But as an aside, I always made sure to keep an under 10" iPad for MS Office access without subscription, as needed. Mini 5 worked well for this.

EDIT: meant to say 10" or under.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Microsoft sets Bing as the default search engine though.

Microsoft to force Chrome default search to Bing using Office 365 installer

It’s a stealthy way to get more people to use Bing in businesses.

www.theverge.com

Lol...that’s a very different proposition than saying MS data mines their flagship app to sell to advertisers. And, as for the SE, that can be changed by the user. You are comparing apples to oranges.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Lol...that’s a very different proposition than saying MS data mines their flagship app to sell to advertisers. And, as for the SE, that can be changed by the user. You are comparing apples to oranges.

I don't know. You brought up Bing. ?‍♂️

 

[Mac2019]

Just tried it on my wife’s laptop and it works fine, so is it only >10” tablets? If so, that’s weird. That said, she has an m365 subscription so perhaps it works due to that? But I logged in with my OneDrive account so surely that wouldn’t be why?

 

[Richard8655]

Just tried it on my wife’s laptop and it works fine, so is it only >10” tablets? If so, that’s weird. That said, she has an m365 subscription so perhaps it works due to that? But I logged in with my OneDrive account so surely that wouldn’t be why?

It's 10" or under that qualifies.

 

[Mac2019]

It's 10" or under that qualifies.

But the laptop is 14”

 

[sparksd]

Just tried it on my wife’s laptop and it works fine, so is it only >10” tablets? If so, that’s weird. That said, she has an m365 subscription so perhaps it works due to that? But I logged in with my OneDrive account so surely that wouldn’t be why?

If your wife has a 365 subscription then you can be added to it as a family member -

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...cription-b389b9ce-3ae3-4a82-9017-39d79972fcba

 

[Richard8655]

But the laptop is 14”

Yes you're right and as mentioned above, if your wife has a 365 subscription I believe that's why and you can also be added. Office is really now called 365, which includes Excel, Word, Powepoint, etc.

 

[rui no onna]

If your wife has a 365 subscription then you can be added to it as a family member -

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...cription-b389b9ce-3ae3-4a82-9017-39d79972fcba

Note, there's Personal and Family subscriptions for Office 365. Personal is like $60-70 and is for one person only. Family is $100 and can be shared with 5 others (6 total).

 

[Madmic23]

You can use Excel and Word in the browser on Safari for free, no subscription required. Just sign in with your free Microsoft account. You only need the subscription for the apps if your screen is over 10” like everyone else said.

 

[Richard8655]

You can use Excel and Word in the browser on Safari for free, no subscription required. Just sign in with your free Microsoft account. You only need the subscription for the apps if your screen is over 10” like everyone else said.

This is a good point. But of course the online (web) version won't have the features or easy accessibility as the App. What would concern me most is privacy, control, and storage space where your data is stored in their cloud vs. on your own device. But for sure the online version is a viable free option for many.