Microsoft Announces October 2018 Office for Windows Desktop Update

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New Office insider build now available for download
 

Microsoft has just released a new Office insider build for Windows desktop, previewing this month’s update for the productivity suite on its own platform.
 

With this update, Office for Windows desktop reaches version 1810 (Build 11001.20038), and it comes with new features for nearly every app bundled into the suite.
 

First and foremost, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook now come with a tool to reveal what’s behind a picture. “Put a picture on a slide, worksheet, document, or message, pick a pre-set, and watch the transparency change. That's it!” Microsoft explains.
 

PowerPoint is getting two different exclusive improvements. Starting with this update, the presentation app features a new tool to change handwritten ink to shapes or text. This is part of Microsoft’s push for ink support, as the company recommends customers to rely more on a pen for certain features in both Windows and Office.
 

The same approach is being used for the second PowerPoint update too, as you can now write over a shape with a pen and use the option called “Ink to Text” to convert handwritten ink to typed text on the shape.
 

Outlook and Word updates

There are three different refinements for Outlook. First, people suggestions are now part of Schedule Assistant and second, reserving a conference room is easier thanks to multiple room lists and options like switching between them provided right within the apps. Third, Outlook now allows users to set the calendar to automatically dismiss reminders for events after they’ve ended.

Last but not least, Microsoft Word is getting its own goodie this month in the form of animated 3D graphics that can be embedded within documents.

All these improvements are in preview stage for the time being, but if the Insider testing advances well, the update should roll out to production devices in the coming weeks.

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