Microsoft has released Office for Mac (Beta Channel) Version 16.45 (20121703). The latest Insider Preview Build brings new features for Excel, Outlook, and bug fixes. However, you might face some issues while using Calendar as the latest Office build includes some known issues. You can read the full official changelog below.
Changelog
I have been using Mac for Office 2011 for two years now and find it very helpful, but I feel it's long over due for an upgrade. I would be interested in being a Beta Tester for the new Office. I have previously done some Beta Testing for Microsoft with Windows 7, Windows 8, and Office 2010.
Become an Insider: be one of the first to explore new Microsoft 365 features for you and your business. Insiders get early access to new features and updates, and opportunity to send feedback directly to Office, connect with the community, and innovate with us. Try new features. Get the scoop on our newest builds and features, learn tips, and see how feedback from Insiders has helped improve Office. When you test beta apps and beta App Clips with TestFlight, Apple will collect and send crash logs, your personal information such as name and email address, usage information, and any feedback you submit to the developer. Information that is emailed to the developer directly is not shared with Apple.
Excel
New features
- For the Quick Access Toolbar, you can now choose an icon for buttons that are assigned to macros. Go to Excel > Preferences > Ribbon & Toolbar, then go to the Quick Access Toolbar tab, add a macro, and press the gear icon to rename it. You’ll see a gallery of icons to choose from.
- The formula Watch Window has recently been added to Excel for Mac. If you use “Tell Me,” it wasn’t showing up when you searched for it, and now it will show if you type “watch.”
Outlook
New features
- IMAP Support – Your IMAP accounts are now supported in the new Outlook! Add your IMAP accounts via Accounts preferences, or for those with IMAP accounts already added in current Outlook, you will be prompted to migrate your account into the new Outlook. Note: support will roll out gradually in Beta Channel over the next few weeks
- Search – You can now customize your search the way you want and get to what you are looking for faster. Use the search scope selector to pick which folder or mailbox to search from, include or exclude top results and deleted items, to refine your search results
- Calendar – The new Outlook now supports calendar widgets on macOS Big Sur. The widgets also come in different sizes, so you can pick the one that works best for you
Office Beta Mac M1
Office Mac Beta Release Notes
Fixes
- General – Fixed a crash introduced in 16.45.20121604
- Mail – Fixed an accessibility issue where mail being snoozed was not announced by Voice Over
- Mail – Fixed an issue with font sizes when copying and pasting content
- Search – Fixed an accessibility issue where focus was not staying on the search field when hitting the ‘esc’ key
- Webex & Zoom – Fixed detection logic to point users to aka.ms/InjectionPlugins
Known issues
- Calendar – The rollout of Shared Calendars has been stopped due to stability issues
- Calendar – Location suggestions are not shown and Room Finder does not add rooms to a meeting
Office 2019 Mac Beta
To update to Office Insider Preview Build, open any Office program and go to File > Account > Update options > Update now.