What is real-time co-authoring?

Traditional methods of working on documents and projects, like sending emails back and forth or working on individual copies, can be a tedious and messy process. Replace these older methods of coauthoring with real-time collaboration methods. Microsoft 365 offers a suite of apps that help you easily work with others around the world to coauthor documents, presentations, and more. Learn what real-time coauthoring is and how you can use different Microsoft 365 apps to create and manage collaborative work.

Benefits of real-time collaboration

Real-time collaboration, also known as real-time coauthoring, is when you and other people work on a document, spreadsheet, or presentation at the same time. You don’t have to be in the same room, city, state, or country, and you’ll still be able to see their changes in real time. Live coauthoring eliminates lengthy, unorganized email threads, reduces version control issues, and helps you work efficiently and cohesively with a group of people.

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Microsoft 365 apps for co-authoring

You don’t have to search far if you’re looking for ways to collaborate in real time. In 2023, Microsoft 365 celebrates 10 years of offering a suite of powerful and versatile cloud-based apps that support live coauthoring and collaboration.

Microsoft OneDrive

All the documents and files you and your team create in these apps are stored in Microsoft OneDrive or SharePoint. This online storage system allows you and the other authors to access and work on the files from anywhere, using a computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or any other device compatible with Microsoft 365 apps. This cloud-based system also enhances flexibility, scalability, and security so you and your friends can collaborate without falling victim to malware.

Microsoft Word

Work on a document with others using Microsoft Word. You and the other authors can see each other’s edits live. This will make it easy to collaborate on reports, proposals, and other written content. You can also insert other Microsoft 365 files in your Word document, like Excel spreadsheets and charts, as well as PowerPoint slides. Leave comments, track changes, and review edits together. Respond to comments and have discussions about the document’s content while everyone is working in this app.

Microsoft Excel

If you need to analyze data, set a budget, plan projects, or complete any other work that’s heavy in numbers, tables, and filters, you should try using Microsoft Excel. Enable real-time collaboration in this app so you and your team can update different sections of a spreadsheet at the same time. View changes and updates made by others and chat within the app to ask questions, make comments, and host discussions about specific cells.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Take your presentations to the next level using real-time collaboration in Microsoft PowerPoint. You and your team can simultaneously create and edit slides in the same project. Enhance your team’s ability to deliver engaging presentations with a cohesive flow. Stay on the same page by using the comments and response features to discuss text, visuals, and more on each slide.

Microsoft OneNote

Maybe you and your team are at the initial stage of the task you’re coauthoring? Use Microsoft OneNote to organize your ideas, notes, and research all in the same digital notebook. With real-time collaboration, you and your peers can collaborate on the same notebook pages. Brainstorm, compile information, create project plans, and build outlines. The changes and updates are instantly visible to everyone with access to the document.

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Microsoft Teams

No matter if you’re at work, in class, or coauthoring with family and friends, Microsoft Teams can help you work together. Teams offers chat, video conferencing, and document sharing capabilities. You and your peers can also upload Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and more, and update them directly in Teams. Use this app to connect, communicate, and collaborate in real-time.

Break down geographical barriers and streamline the creative process using real-time collaboration and coauthoring. Microsoft 365’s cloud-based apps make it easy to work and communicate with others. No matter if you’re a professional, student, or creator hoping to innovate with a group of people, you and your coauthors can unlock new levels of productivity and efficiency with Microsoft 365. These apps have been in the cloud for the past 10 years, and their features are only getting better.

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