Software support for Office 365

glyph-cogs-150An overview of the current software requirements for Office 365. As a rule of thumb, current and previous versions are supported. Older versions may not be…

The following are the current software requirements (at the time this post was published) for using Office 365 (specifically: SharePoint Online) on various devices. References at the end. Testing notes included.

The general rule of thumb is that the current and previous versions of software are supported. Microsoft may keep older versions of its own browser and applications supported when the underlying Windows operating system (OS) needs it. For example, Internet Explorer 8 support has been continued despite there being two newer versions because it is the last version of Internet Explorer (IE) that runs on Windows XP.  Support for IE8 ends on the same day that support for Windows XP ends.

Web browsers

Web Browser Operating System
Internet Explorer 10 Windows 8
Windows 7
Internet Explorer 9 Windows 7
Windows Vista with Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8 Windows 7
Windows Vista with Service Pack 2
Windows XP (32-bit) with Service Pack 3
Windows XP (64-bit) with Service Pack 2
.
Note: Support for IE8 ends on 8th April 2014 in sync with when support for Windows XP ends
Mozilla Firefox
latest version		 Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later
Mac OS X 10.6 or later
Google Chrome
latest version		 Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later
Mac OS X 10.6 or later
Apple Safari
latest version		 Mac OS X any version

Notes:

  • Firefox, Safari and Chrome all now support datasheet view and Office web apps (viewing and editing). But not as functional as IE for some admin elements, such as managing term sets
  • Don’t forget – can only edit files within Office web apps using new file formats (.docx, .pptx, .xslx)
  • Chrome will flag that cannot load SharePoint Browser Plug-in. Affects Office integration – currently will not launch Office files in client application in any operating system other than Windows 8 (Tested Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP and Mac OS X). There’s an ‘IE Tab’ plug-in that claims to be able to load Active X controls, not yet tested
  • In the references at the end, see ‘Plan browser support for SharePoint Online’ for additional details about what works and what doesn’t

Office desktop client

Office desktop client Operating System
Office 2013 Windows 8
Windows 7
Office 2010 Windows 8
Windows 7
Windows Vista with Service Pack 2
Windows XP (32-bit) with Service Pack 3
Windows XP (64-bit) with Service Pack 2
.
Note: Support for WinXP ends in April 2014
Office 2007
with Service Pack 3		 Same as for Office 2010
Office 2011 for Mac
with Service Pack 3		 Mac OS X 10.6 or later

Notes

  • Office RT not listed. Wasn’t supported when first announced in 2012. Have not been able to test.
  • Can open and save files within Office 2011 for Mac now, but no SharePoint metadata property editing
  • Unless local network directory (Active Directory) is sync’d with Office 365, users will be prompted to enter credentials when opening files in client applications

Mobile/Tablet web browsers

Mobile Web Browser Operating System
Internet Explorer Mobile Windows Phone 7.5 or later
Apple Safari iOS 5.0 or later for view only
Office Web Apps editing functionality:
iOS 6.0 or later and iPad versions 2 and 3 fully supported
iOS 5.1 and iPad versions 1, 2 and 3 partially supported
Android Browser Google Android 4.01 or later

Notes

  • Office web apps editing functionality also works on current iPad mini (same spec as iPad 2)

References

Originally posted on www.sharepointsharon.com