What is Microsoft Office 365?
Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud-based subscription service that provides users with access to a suite of productivity and collaboration tools developed by Microsoft. The service includes access to various Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, as well as a range of other tools and services such as OneDrive cloud storage, Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration, SharePoint for content management and collaboration, and Exchange Online for email and scheduling.
Office 365 allows users to work on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real-time, whether they are working remotely or in the same office. The subscription model allows for automatic updates and upgrades to the latest versions of the software, without having to manually download and install updates.
Office 365 also offers different subscription plans, which allow users to choose the best option for their needs, including options for personal, business, and enterprise use.
What does Microsoft Office 365 cost in the UK (March 2023)
The cost of Microsoft Office 365 in the UK depends on the subscription plan you choose. Microsoft offers a range of plans for individuals, small businesses, and larger enterprises, each with different features and pricing.
For individuals, the most popular plans are Microsoft 365 Personal and Microsoft 365 Family. Microsoft 365 Personal costs £5.99 per month or £59.99 per year, and includes access to Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, as well as 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage. Microsoft 365 Family costs £7.99 per month or £79.99 per year, and includes the same applications and storage, but can be shared with up to 6 people.
For small businesses, Microsoft offers a range of plans that include email hosting, online meetings, and collaboration tools. The cost for these plans start at £3.80 per user per month for the Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan, and goes up to £15.10 per user per month for the Microsoft 365 E3 plan, which includes advanced security and compliance features.
For larger enterprises, Microsoft offers a range of plans that include more advanced security and compliance features, as well as custom pricing options. The cost for these plans can vary based on the number of users and the specific needs of the organisation.
It's worth noting that prices may change over time and there may be occasional promotions or discounts available. It's best to check the Microsoft website for the latest pricing information.
How does email work in Office 365?
Email in Office365 works similarly to how email works in any other email service. Office365 is a cloud-based productivity suite that includes email, calendar, and other collaboration tools. Here's a step-by-step explanation of how email works in Office365:
Setting up an email account: To use email in Office365, you need to set up an email account. This can be done by either creating a new account or importing an existing email account.
Composing and sending an email: Once your account is set up, you can start composing and sending emails. To do this, you need to open the Outlook application or log in to the Outlook web portal. Once you are in Outlook, you can compose a new email by clicking on the "New Email" button.
Receiving emails: When someone sends you an email, it is delivered to your email account in Office365. You can then read and respond to the email.
Managing emails: Office365 provides various tools to manage your email, such as the ability to organise your email into folders, flag important emails, and set up rules to automatically sort incoming email.
Accessing email from multiple devices: With Office365, you can access your email from multiple devices, such as your computer, smartphone, or tablet. This allows you to stay connected and productive, no matter where you are.
Security: Office365 includes various security features to protect your email, such as spam filtering, malware scanning, and encryption.
Overall, email in Office365 provides a robust and reliable way to communicate and collaborate with others.
How do I use my own domain with Office 365?
To use your own domain with Office 365, you need to follow these steps:
Verify your domain ownership: Before you can use your own domain with Office 365, you need to verify that you own the domain. This is done by adding a TXT record to your domain's DNS settings.
Add your domain to Office 365: Once you have verified your domain ownership, you need to add your domain to Office 365. This is done through the Microsoft 365 admin centre by going to the "Setup" section and selecting "Domains".
Update DNS records: After adding your domain to Office 365, you need to update your domain's DNS records to point to Microsoft's servers. This is done by adding MX records, CNAME records, and other DNS records to your domain's DNS settings.
Create email accounts: Once your domain is set up in Office 365, you can create email accounts for your users. This is done through the Microsoft 365 admin centre by going to the "Users" section and selecting "Active Users".
Configure email clients: To access your email accounts, you need to configure your email client (such as Outlook) to connect to Office 365. This is done by entering the server settings and your email address and password.
By following these steps, you can use your own domain with Office 365 and have a professional-looking email address for your business or organisation.