I'm self employed - can I use Microsoft Office 365?

Type_45

... or do I have to buy the business version? Or will they even know/care?

Or, where can I get it free/cheaper?!!



Cheers, all! :beer:

Mr.Generous

Just use open office or office libre r something unless you are desperate to pay.

Type_45

Well, I'd be more than happy to stick with Google Drive, as it's cloud-based and free.

Trouble is that when I send documents to people who use Microsoft Word they can't open my document. So that involves a trip to the grimy local internet cafe where I have to re-do everything in a Word doc whilst trying not to think about why the mouse is sticky or why someone has left half their lunch between the keys on the key board - and paying cash for the pleasure.

RumRat

??? Just download the documents from Google Drive as docx files. 'File' - 'Download as' - then take your pick.............Job done.
That said, if the Office 365 you have serves your business purposes, just use that....You don't need the business version just because you are self employed.

Type_45

Rum rat - not sure I made myself clear. I am a Google Chrome user. I do not use Microsoft Office.

When I send a Google Chrome attachment to a Microsoft Office user, it is they who cannot open my attachment. However, when they send their Microsoft Word doc to me, I can see it just fine on my Chromebook.

Jivesinger

RumRat wrote: »

That said, if the Office 365 you have serves your business purposes, just use that....You don't need the business version just because you are self employed.

I think Microsoft would say otherwise - they don't want people to use the Home versions for business use.
eg. from here:https://products.office.com/en-gb/buy/compare-microsoft-office-products?tab=opc

In the 'Licensed for' row at the bottom, it says 'Home use' for the Home version and 'Home or Business use' for the Home and Business version.

I don't see how they're ever going to know, though.

Type_45

Jivesinger wrote: »

I think Microsoft would say otherwise - they don't want people to use the Home versions for business use.
eg. from here:https://products.office.com/en-gb/buy/compare-microsoft-office-products?tab=opc

In the 'Licensed for' row at the bottom, it says 'Home use' for the Home version and 'Home or Business use' for the Home and Business version.

I don't see how they're ever going to know, though.

Indeed. Those were all the points I was clumsily trying to make.


As I say, Google Drive is absolutely fine for my purposes and I'd happily stick with that. But it's as much use as a chocolate fireguard if you are sending documents to people and they cannot open them.

Carrot007

Chrome can export to office format.

But technically you need Office business or one of the 365 Business options. You could be audited, but it is unlikely.

But again. Google office will export into a requirted format. But the formattting may not be exact, depends how complex your documents are.

You could probably get away with using office online for free.

DavidP24

You can always use this free version of MS Office, use it directly on Microsoft Office site

https://products.office.com/en-gb/office-online/documents-spreadsheets-presentations-office-online

Type_45

DavidP24 wrote: »

You can always use this free version of MS Office, use it directly on Microsoft Office site

https://products.office.com/en-gb/office-online/documents-spreadsheets-presentations-office-online

Cheers for that, Not seen that before. Looks like an Office version of the Google one which I use. I will have a play about with it and see if it bridges the gap.

Type_45

As far as Microsoft's rules are concerned, it does rather beg the question why someone would need Microsoft Office for "home use".

Other than for work, or interview, purposes, I cannot think of a time when I sit at home using Excel or Word. Let alone ruddy Powerpoint.