

SEE: Research: Apple’s Growing Role in the Enterprise (Tech Pro Research) My test results A quick scan of the apps within the Mac’s System Report confirms the new versions are 64-bit programs ( Figure D). Once the new versions download and install, you’ll enjoy 64-bit versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote directly within OS X for the first time. Downloading and installing the 64-bit versions required only 15 minutes or so on my office network and MacBook Air. You should be able to access the 64-bit Office for Mac applications.

Microsoft notes in a posting for developers that the 64-bit platform enables leveraging larger address spaces, better performance, and new innovative features. However, Microsoft has released a 64-bit version of Office for Mac users. Although Microsoft ported the Windows version of its Office software to 64-bit architecture long ago, Office for Mac remained 32-bit ( Figure B). There was one notable 64-bit holdout: Microsoft Office.

You can confirm this by clicking your Mac’s Apple icon (found on the top left corner of the menu bar), selecting About This Mac, clicking the System Report button, and then highlighting Applications within the Software menu in the left pane and scrolling down through applications, observing each program’s 64-bit (Intel) value ( Figure A). Most Mac applications operate using the more efficient 64-bit architecture. Here's what it offers, and how to access 64-bit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook for Mac. Microsoft released an early 64-bit version of its Office for Mac suite. Microsoft releases 64-bit Office for Mac: The secret to getting it
