Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint finally support Handoff

Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint finally support Handoff

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 23, 2024

At long last, you can now use Apple’s excellent Handoff feature in Microsoft’s Word, Excel and PowerPoint apps across your iPhone, iPad and Mac.

You can now do things like start working on a PowerPoint presentation on your iPhone and then switch to your Mac and continue working on it uninterrupted.

You must update your installed copies of Word, Excel and Powerpoint on your iPhone, iPad and Mac to the latest version to get Handoff support (all devices must use the same Apple Account).

However, you must use cloud files for Handoff to work. “The document you want to hand off should be stored in the cloud on OneDrive or SharePoint,” according to the announcement on the Microsoft blog.

How to hand off Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents across Apple devices

Open an existing document, worksheet or presentation using Word, Excel or Powerpoint on an Apple device, like your iPhone or iPad. To use Handoff, simply bring another Apple device like your Mac wishing the Bluetooth range, and you’ll see the icon pop up in the Dock. Click it to hand off the file to your Mac.

Handoff support in the iOS versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint is available in v2.89 update (build 24090210). On your Mac, you must use Word, Excel and PowerPoint version 16.89 (build 24091630) or later.

Handoff is part of Continuity, an umbrella term denoting features designed to enable Apple devices to work seamless together. To use Handoff, all your device must have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on. You can also set up Handoff on your Apple Watch, but it won’t be of much help for Office because there are no watchOS versions of Word, Excel or Powerpoint.

Tags App Store Apps Apple Apps Continuity Excel Handoff Microsoft Office
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