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Free Software: MS Office Alternatives

Options for Windows and Mac

Open Office provides a suite of open source (free) productivity software similar to the tools found in Microsoft Office for word processing, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It also supports many languages and works on most common computers. If you can't afford Microsoft Office definitely give this a try.

Mac users have the iWork suite of software to serve as an alternative to Microsoft Office. Pages is for word processing, Numbers is for creating spreadsheets and Keynote is for designing presentations. The software comes standard on all Macs purchased starting in the year 2013. Have an older Mac? There may be a solution. Cult of Mac's article on iWork offers a potential workaround.

For more details on the iWork software, visit each of their overview pages below.

Microsoft Office

Kent State offers Microsoft Office for free to all faculty, staff and students. Visit the Tech Help software page for details.