The following table shows the difference when co-authoring using iManage Work Next Generation Co-Authoring, iManage Work with Microsoft Office for the web Co-authoring, and Microsoft Office integration with desktop applications. 

Table: Comparing iManage Work co-authoring applications

Feature/components

iManage Work Next Generation Co-authoring

iManage Work with Microsoft Office for the web Co-authoring

Co-authoring options available in iManage Work Desktop for Windows

Microsoft licensing

Microsoft 365 license

Microsoft 365 license

Any Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint desktop applications license.

Microsoft platform

Refer to Prerequisites for more information about the supported Microsoft platforms.

Microsoft 365 for the web

  • Microsoft Office 2016 and later

  • Microsoft 365 applications for the desktop

File types supported

Microsoft Office XML file formats (for example .DOCX, .PPTX, and .XLSX, and so on)

For the full list of supported file types, go to: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/cloud-storage-partner-program/plus/extensions

Microsoft Office XML file formats (for example, .DOCX, .PPTX, and .XLSX, and so on)

For the full list of supported file types, go to:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/cloud-storage-partner-program/plus/extensions

.DOCX, .PPTX, and .XLSX files

Microsoft 365 applications for the desktop required

  • Yes, if you want to edit files using the Microsoft 365 applications for the desktop.

  • No, if you’re editing files using Microsoft 365 for the web.

  • You have to install Microsoft 365 for iOS to edit on iOS devices.

No

Yes

Viewing and editing files

Open files in either:

  • Browser or browser tab when using Microsoft 365 for the web

  • Microsoft 365 applications for desktop or Microsoft 365 for iOS applications when wanting to using the desktop versions of Microsoft 365 applications.

Open files in a browser or browser tab 

Check out the files

Editing large files

The recommended file size is:

  • Microsoft Word file: 100 MB

  • Microsoft Excel file: 100 MB

  • Microsoft PowerPoint file: 300 MB

NOTE:

  • Although Microsoft doesn’t specify a size limit for co-authoring files for Microsoft 365 applications for the desktop, for an optimal user experience, we recommend that you use explicit checkout to edit file files larger than the values specified above. It's possible that large files may time out when trying to open or may not open at all.

There's 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, go to: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/cloud-storage-partner-program/faq/file-sizes .

No size limit is specified. 

.

Checking out files

Check out the files in either:

  • Microsoft 365 applications for the desktop

  • Microsoft 365 for the web (browser or browser tab).

  • Microsoft 365 applications for iOS or Microsoft Word for iOS, Microsoft Excel of iOS, and Microsoft PowerPoint for iOS (if Microsoft 365 applications for iOS is not available.)

Open the files in a browser or browser tab. 

Use the check-out option to check out the file.

Checking in files

Close the files when using the Microsoft 365 applications for the desktop, or the browser instance when using Microsoft 365 for the web or Microsoft 365 applications for iOS, or Microsoft Word for iOS, or Microsoft Excel for iOS, or Microsoft PowerPoint in iOS apps in which the file is open.

Close the browser instance to automatically free the files

Manually save and close the files to free up the files for others to use. 

File save process

Changes are automatically saved in Microsoft 365 for the web and iOS devices.

For Microsoft 365 applications for desktop changes are automatically saved if AutoSave is enabled. You have to manually save the files if AutoSave is disabled.

Files are automatically saved.

Files must be manually saved.

Microsoft OneDrive requirement for co-authoring

No

No

Yes

Starting co-authored sessions

No initiation is required. If you have read/write access, sign in and open the files

No initiation is required. If you have read/write access, sign in and start editing using Microsoft 365 for the web.

A formal invite has to be sent for others to co-author.

Completing co-authoring sessions 

Co-authoring sessions are completed when all users close:

  • The Microsoft 365 applications for desktop in which the file is opened.

  • The browser instances they are using to make edits and edits are automatically saved. 

  • Microsoft Word for iOS, Microsoft Excel of iOS, and Microsoft PowerPoint for iOS (if Microsoft 365 applications for iOS aren’t available.)

Co-authoring sessions are 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.