Microsoft Office apps have been available on iPhone, iPad, and Android for years, and every now and then they get a major update. Today, another change is rolling out to iPhone apps.
Microsoft is rolling out an update to the contextual command bar and ribbon layout in the iPhone versions of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. The command bar is accessible at the bottom of the screen, or at the top of the keyboard as you type. It’s now closer to Microsoft’s “Fluent” design, with more rounded corners and a slightly modified layout.
Microsoft
As before, the menu has most of the settings found in the ribbon bar of desktop applications: text formatting, search, buttons for inserting objects, review tools and all the rest. The selector is now a rounded button, and some horizontal separators have been removed. You can also swipe the menu up to expand it, which is a significant usability improvement, especially on iPhones with smaller screens.
Microsoft says the new command bar is available to Office Insiders who use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or the Office app version 2.67 (Build 22110700) or later. Once all the bugs are fixed, it should be available to everyone.
The change comes as Microsoft prepares to rebrand the mobile Office app “Microsoft 365”, with a new logo, to reflect the evolution of the subscription service of the same name. With a new name, new logo, and now design changes, there’s plenty to be excited about with Office apps for iPhone.
Source: Office Insider Blog