Android users in UAE to benefit from Office in Arabic

Microsoft has announced the availability of the Arabic version of Office 2016 for Android to cater for its Arabic speaking customers.

Android users in UAE, Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Yemen will benefit from the unique features that come with Office 2016 Arabic for Android.

All Android devices can now run Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote with support for Arabic. Also new for Android phone and tablet are Google Drive support, portrait view, theme change in PPT, word count and proofing support in Word, Reflow view in Word and Autozoom.

The firm said that the new features of the software as well as its apps have been customised to help Arabic users, especially in the Middle East, get a more personalised experience, which will enable them to do more and achieve more.

The apps now have a user interface translated in Arabic, bi-directional, switchable text support inside documents, vertical text support - including text box creation and text entry in shapes and tables as well as justification support. 

“The importance of Microsoft Office in enabling productivity for organisations and individuals the world over is unmatched. We aim to make this experience felt across multiple devices to make working anywhere, anytime possible. Office 2016 Arabic for Android is created to replicate that authentic experience on the device that is right for you,” said Ihsan Anabtawi, Regional Manager - Applications and Services, Microsoft Gulf.

“We have deeply thought a lot about what people want to do when they’re on their Android devices and we have reimagined Office 2016 Arabic for Android while retaining what people love about it,” he said.

Microsoft also announced general availability of Word, Excel and PowerPoint on Android phones that support the Arabic Language RTL in Arabic, and is now taking the final steps to complete the Office experience on Android devices.

While most of the apps are the same on Office 2016 Arabic for Android, they are optimised differently for the phone and tablet form factors. On an Android phone, the apps are designed for one-handed use, with controls at the bottom of the screen, and with no keyboard or mouse required.

Additionally, the apps are designed to take advantage of the features users know and love on their Android Phones, for example Back button (for back navigation); Hamburger button (file menu options), so they can naturally interact with the apps.

During the interim period post-launch, Microsoft will run an in-App campaign in Office Mobile on devices with Android version 4.4 and above. The campaign will direct the users to install new Apps (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) via Google Play and other supported App Stores. Post the interim period, Microsoft shall restrict the App installation on new devices to Android version with 4.3 and below. This would ensure that Office mobile apps do not cannibalise the users from new apps.