The history and timeline of Microsoft Word

Where it all began

Microsoft Word 1.0 hit the scene on October 25, 1983. However, this software wasn’t available for Windows users until 1989. This program stood out from other writing and typing software on the market because of its graphical user interface and “What You See Is What You Get” (WYSIWYG) approach.¹ With its tech-forward features, it became a part of the first Microsoft Office suite along with Excel and PowerPoint.²

10 years as a cloud service

Since it hit the tech world, Microsoft Word has revolutionized the way you create, edit, and share documents. From its humble beginnings to its integration into the Microsoft 365 suite, this software has undergone tremendous advancements over the past 10 years. Travel with us as we delve into a timeline of the transformative changes and new features Word has gained.

2013: introducing Microsoft 365

In 2013, Microsoft introduced Microsoft 365, a new software delivery model for technology users. Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service that offers access to a suite of apps and software, like Microsoft Word. Use this service get access to the latest versions of the apps, continuous software updates, and cloud-based storage options to back up your work in more than one place.

2014: real-time collaboration across devices

Microsoft saw the growing need for collaboration and real-time editing and coauthoring while you’re on the go. In 2014, Microsoft Word allowed you to simultaneously work on a document with multiple users from different smart devices. The new mobile app empowered you to enjoy seamless collaboration, improved productivity, and enhanced workflow from any location with your desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more.³

2015: integrated sharing

Microsoft made it easier to share your documents with your peers, family, friends, and more in 2015.⁴ Word incorporated a Share pane that allowed you to send a document as an attachment or as a PDF directly from the app. Attach it as a file in your email, or upload the document to other Microsoft 365 apps, like OneDrive, so that you have it backed up.

2016: faster research

In 2016, Microsoft added faster ways for you to find information and get insights without leaving Word with the Smart Lookup feature.⁵ This powerful tool allows you to perform quick searches on words or phrases that you select in your document. Get instant access to information from search engines, online dictionaries, and other web-based sources to save time when writing and researching.

2017: various reading methods

In 2017, Microsoft continued to build on its accessibility features with Read Aloud.⁶ This built-in feature allowed you to listen to your documents being read aloud by your device. Microsoft also added Immersive Reader to provide you more reading options and customizations, such as text spacing, font choices, and page background colors.⁷ These new reading tools help users who are blind, have low-vision, or prefer audio-based reading.

2018: animated graphics

In 2018, Microsoft Word incorporated an animated 3D graphics feature that helps make your documents pop.⁸ Add beating hearts, orbiting planets, and more creative visuals to your work. Use the library of pre-designed animations and effects to customize the behavior and appearance of the graphics you use. Captivate your audience with an interactive and immersive reader experience.

2019: better concentration

Microsoft knows how important it is for you to stay focused whether you’re at work, in school, or completing your daily tasks, so it added different modes to help you use Word more efficiently. In 2019, Microsoft Word brought back the popular Focus Mode.popular Focus Mode Focus Mode hides all the toolbars and menus on your device to help you minimize distractions and increase your concentration.

2020: Microsoft Teams integration

In 2020, there was a growing trend of remote work and online coauthoring, so Microsoft wanted to make it easy to communication and collaborate without opening multiple windows. Microsoft Word was integrated in Microsoft Teams to allow you and your peers to write, design, and edit documents in real-time, directly in one app.¹⁰ This helped businesses, educational institutions, and different households work together, stay focused, and get tasks done while apart.

2021: AI-powered writing

Microsoft Word continued to build on AI-powered writing tools and introduced text prediction in 2021.¹¹ This tool helped you add text with refined grammar and similar style, inclusive language, and ways to improve clarity. If you want more nuanced suggestions before you share your document with the world, this feature can provide you out-of-the-box tips on what to write next.

2022: elevated security and privacy

Microsoft knows how important data privacy and security is, and it’s continuously implemented robust security features in Word. Some of the latest features are enhanced encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and Microsoft Defender integration.¹² These upgraded security features provide real-time protection against phishing attacks, malware, and other cybersecurity threats to safeguard your personal data and information.

Over the past 10 years, Microsoft Word has evolved significantly as an integral part of the Microsoft 365 suite. It’s emphasized the importance of collaboration, accessibility, visuals, and AI, so it can continuously meet evolving needs. As more technological advances occur, Microsoft will innovate more features and embed them into Word to make creating documents even more seamless and efficient. Keep using Word and other Microsoft 365 apps to work better, faster, and enhance your overall creativity. Cheers to 10 years!

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