The time has come for Microsoft Office 2013 users. The popular productivity suite that includes applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is set to stop receiving extended support from Microsoft on April 11, 2023.

10 years of productivity

Office 2013 was released in January 2013 and was the successor to Office 2010. At the time, it introduced a number of new features, including a cleaner user interface, improved touch and gesture support, and integration with the cloud-based storage service, SkyDrive (now called OneDrive). The suite also introduced new productivity features, such as the ability to work collaboratively in real-time, enhanced tools for managing email, and improved support for data analysis and visualization.

What this means

While Microsoft Office 2013 will no longer receive security updates, it's important to note that the software itself will not stop working altogether. For example, users of Outlook 2013 who upgrade to version 15.0.4971.1000 (Service Pack 1 with the October 2017 update) will still be able to connect to Exchange Online. It’s worth mentioning, however, that Microsoft has also indicated that they will no longer consider older Office clients in future cloud services investments.

Upgrade options

With end-of-support approaching, users can rest assured that there are a number of upgrade options still available.

The first option is to upgrade to Microsoft’s Office 2021. This version of the software introduces a range of new features and improvements, including enhanced collaboration tools, improved support for touch and pen input, and new data analysis capabilities. Some other features include:

1. Dark mode: This  new dark mode option makes it easier on the eyes for users who prefer a darker color scheme.
2. Enhanced collaboration: Includes new collaboration features that make it easier for users to work together on projects in real-time. These features are available for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
3. New charts and formulas: Excel includes new chart types and formulas, which help visualize and analyze data.
4. Performance improvements: Office 2021 comes with improvements that make it faster and more responsive than previous versions.

This version of Office can be purchased as a one-time purchase or as a subscription through Microsoft's new Microsoft 365.

With Microsoft 365, you get access to familiar Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as cloud-based storage and email services. This means you can work on documents and projects from anywhere, on any device, and share them with others easily. It also has the benefit of being constantly updated with new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements, so you can be sure that you are always using the latest version of the software. 

So while end-of-support for Office 2013 may be critical for users who want to stay productive and secure, the new upgrade features are sure to deliver as a smart investment that will ensure they can continue to work efficiently and effectively for years to come.