What is Microsoft Word used for?

Microsoft Word is Microsoft's word processor for writing, formatting and co-editing documents, with a free web version and Copilot AI tools. It is a good fit for writing business letters and proposals, co-editing documents with colleagues, and creating resumes and cover letters from templates.

Is Microsoft Word free?

Yes. Microsoft Word has a free plan.

Is Microsoft Word open source?

No. Microsoft Word is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Microsoft Word include Etherpad, La Suite Docs and Overleaf.

What are some alternatives to Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word competes with Google Docs, Apple Pages and WPS Office. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Microsoft Word alternatives.

Microsoft Word: features, pricing and alternatives

About Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a word processor for writing, formatting and sharing documents. The web edition lets people create, edit and co-author documents online from any device. It is a proprietary Microsoft product and part of the Microsoft 365 family.

Microsoft's site points to tools such as a spell checker, grammar checker, word counter and document translation, along with AI features including Copilot in Word, an AI writer, rewriter and summarizer. Templates and use cases include newsletters, meeting agendas and minutes, training materials, resumes, cover letters, technical documents, business letters and business proposals.

Word for the web is advertised as free, and further plans and pricing are described on Microsoft's pricing page.

Key features

Document writing and formatting
Real-time co-authoring on the web
Spell and grammar checking
Copilot AI writer, rewriter and summarizer
Document translation
Templates for letters, resumes and proposals

Good fit for

→Writing business letters and proposals
→Co-editing documents with colleagues
→Creating resumes and cover letters from templates

Tags: word-processor; documents; microsoft; co-authoring; templates; copilot; writing

Microsoft Word: questions and answers

What is Microsoft Word used for?: Microsoft Word is Microsoft's word processor for writing, formatting and co-editing documents, with a free web version and Copilot AI tools. It is a good fit for writing business letters and proposals, co-editing documents with colleagues, and creating resumes and cover letters from templates.
Is Microsoft Word free?: Yes. Microsoft Word has a free plan.
Is Microsoft Word open source?: No. Microsoft Word is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Microsoft Word include Etherpad, La Suite Docs and Overleaf.
What are some alternatives to Microsoft Word?: Microsoft Word competes with Google Docs, Apple Pages and WPS Office. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Microsoft Word alternatives.