The following table provides the difference between using Microsoft Office for the web and using Microsoft Office integration with desktop applications.
Table: Comparing working with Microsoft Office for the web and Microsoft Office integration with desktop application
Feature/components | Microsoft Office for the web | Microsoft Office integration Desktop applications* |
---|---|---|
Microsoft licensing | Microsoft 365 license | Microsoft Office for desktop application |
Microsoft Office platform | Microsoft Office for the web | Microsoft Office 2013 and later |
File types supported | Microsoft Office xml file formats (for example, .docx, .xlsx, and so on) | DOCX, PPTX, and XLSX files |
Microsoft Office desktop application required | No | Yes |
Viewing and editing files | Open the file in a browser or browser tab for viewing and editing the file. | Check out the file to viewing and editing the file. |
Editing large files | There is a size limit described. You can edit only those files whose file limit is less than the limit defined by Microsoft. For information about the file size limitations, visit: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/cloud-storage-partner-program/faq/file-sizes | There is no size limit described. |
Checking out files | Open the file in your browser to check out the file. | Use the check out option to check out the file. |
Checking in files | Close the browser instance to automatically free the files for others to use. | Manually save and close the file to free up the file for others to use. |
File save process | Files are automatically saved. | Files must be manually saved. |
Microsoft OneDrive requirement for co-authoring | None | Required |
Initiating co-authored sessions | No initiation is required. If you have read/write access, sign in and start editing. | A formal invite has to be sent for others to co-author. |
Completing the co-authoring session | Co-authoring session is completed when all users close the browser instances they are using to make edits and edits are automatically saved. | Users must manually finish the co-authoring session. |
*Desktop applications include iManage Work Desktop for Windows, iManage DeskSite using REST, iManage FileSite using REST, and iManage Work Desktop for Mac.