ZDNet covers Microsoft's Office 2013 launch

Microsoft held a major press conference in San Francisco on Monday 16 July, where chief executive Steve Ballmer and senior Office Division staff unveiled a preview version of its forthcoming Office 2013 suite. Some ZDNet writers attended, and several had already been trying the code. Here are their stories… 

Office 2013: a pleasant surprise by Simon Bisson in Reviews

After a week of using Office 2013 we're pleasantly surprised. The changes Microsoft has made to support Windows 8 — and specifically Windows 8 tablets — are logical, and they work well with more traditional ways of using Office. 

Office 2013: Screenshots by Simon Bisson in Apps

Microsoft's new Office has a design that makes it easy to focus on work, rather than drowning in extraneous information. Office 2013 looks set to make users more productive without requiring them to learn new ways of working, even on new kinds of devices. 

Microsoft defends desktop while moving Office 2013 to the cloud by Ed Bott for The Ed Bott Report

Microsoft has taken its cloud services, Office desktop programs, and browser-based Office Web Apps and fused them into a product that feels unified and natural. And they've done so without altering the fundamental character of Office. 

Office 2013: Editions at a glance and FAQ by Ed Bott for The Ed Bott Report

What's the difference between Office 2013 and Office 365? Which apps are in each edition? How do I install the preview? Get answers to these questions and more in this FAQ. 

Office 2013: A closer look (Gallery) by Ed Bott for The Ed Bott Report

Microsoft has officially unveiled the consumer preview of Office 2013. The new edition has a dramatically different look and feel, as well as tight connections to cloud-based services. Here's what you'll find inside. 

Microsoft's new Office: The cloud finally takes center stage by Mary Jo Foley for All About Microsoft

A public preview of Microsoft's coming Office 2013 client is out today. But Office 365 and SkyDrive are the real stars of the new Office show. 

A new Microsoft Office, a new Microsoft Office division by Mary Jo Foley for All About Microsoft

A look at the road that led to the choices Microsoft made with the coming version of its Office software and services. 

Office 2013 programs include an app store for developers by Jack Schofield for Jack's Blog

Users running Microsoft Excel, Word and other Office 2013 applications will be able to try or buy companion apps from an integrated app store, without leaving the application. The new Apps For Office apps will run in both desktop and web-based versions of Office. Companies will also be able to use the app store feature to distribute companion programs developed in-house. 

Microsoft unleashes Office 2013 Preview with Windows 8 Metro touches by Simon Bisson

The update to Word, Excel, Outlook and other Office apps brings a Metro-like look and feel, tablet-friendly touch features and a revamped licensing scheme that plugs into Microsoft cloud services 

Microsoft: Can it make Office 2013 social? by Larry Dignan for Between the Lines

The software giant sees Office 2013 as a workspace that'll integrate documents as well as your social feeds courtesy of Yammer and Skype integration. 

Microsoft, the old dog, learns some new cloud tricks by Phil Wainewright for Software as Services

The preview release of Office 13 marks a highly significant change of tack by Microsoft. You can start using it now. Many will.