Office 365: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Summary

This article contains frequently asked questions about Office 365. USNH has negotiated an agreement with Microsoft to provide all active USNH students, faculty, and staff with an Office 365 subscription. This includes Emeritus as well as sponsored users with an AD account.

Questions

What is Office 365? 

Why use Office 365?

So, which should I use?

I already have the most current version of Office installed. What should I do?

How many devices can I install it on?

Computers get the same full-fledged desktop version of Office that you’re used to. 

What if I need more installations?

What version of Microsoft Office do I get through this program?

How long does the subscription last?

How does the subscription track whether or not I am still currently UNH-affiliated?

Anything else I should know?

Sounds great! How do I get it?

Answers

What is Office 365? 

• Office 365 is a suite of cloud-based applications and services hosted on Microsoft-owned servers and available from devices with an internet connection. Some of the primary services used by USNH in Office 365 are Exchange Online Email, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint Online.

• It is a licensing model through Microsoft that allows you to install the latest version of its popular desktop productivity suite, Microsoft Office, for the desktop experience with which you are familiar. M365 desktop applications are initially downloaded via your M365 account, but after installation, function identically to all current versions of Microsoft Office. Office 365 gives you access to current versions of various office applications, such as:

  • Word
  • Outlook
  • PowerPoint
  • Excel
  • OneDrive
  • OneNote
  • Teams
• These and more applications are available for either web use or download. Since Office 365 is cloud based, sharing and collaboration between devices and users is simple and secure.

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Why use Office 365?

• Office 365 is the preferred installation of the office apps in the USNH system, as Office 365 provides the best user experience. Using older versions of Office can leave users vulnerable to security risks.

  • Some Cool Application Features
  • Check out Design Ideas when creating dynamic PowerPoint presentations
  • Use excel to create smart diagrams, charts, and maps
  • Use Office 365 Flow to better manage work flows
  • View and manage your content on multiple devices
  • Co-authoring in Excel 
  • Record presentation in PowerPoint 
  • Use advanced writing and proofing tools in Word 

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So, which should I use?

• If you are a student, the only option is Office 365. Refer to Microsoft Licensing: Installing Microsoft Office.

  If you are a faculty or staff member, USNH recommends that you use an Office 365 license for any USNH owned computers or personal devices. You can use EES for shared devices such as lab computers. The Office 365 license is also required to use Office applications on mobile devices. Refer to Microsoft Licensing: Installing Microsoft Office.

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I already have the most current version of Office installed. What should I do?

• Unless your department IT support staff advises otherwise, we recommend that you continue to use Microsoft Office as currently installed on your computer. This benefit does not affect the basic functionality of Microsoft Office, however, some advanced tools and the newest features are only available when using Office 365. If you are using any version of Office lower than Office 2016, we highly recommend upgrading to the latest version if at all possible.

  If you need to reinstall Microsoft Office on a USNH owned computer or install it on a new USNH owned computer, refer to the Installing Office 365 .

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How many devices can I install it on?

• You may install Office 365 on up to 5 computers, 5 tablets, and 5 mobile devices, these devices are user managed, at portal.office.com . In the upper right corner, click the circle by your name (it might have your picture or initials), then click View Account.  From the list on the left, click Office apps.  In the Office box click DEVICES to see where you have Office 365 installed.

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Computers get the same full-fledged desktop version of Office that you’re used to.

• For mobile devices, you may download the Microsoft Office apps available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. While these apps are free for everyone, USNH’s agreement with Microsoft allows you to use features normally reserved only for paying customers.  Access these features by signing into your USNH account when prompted by the app.

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What if I need more installations?

• If you are planning on installing Microsoft Office in a cluster, lab, or other shared computer environments of USNH owned computers, please reach out to the Microsoft 365 Support team with details of what you need and why.

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What version of Microsoft Office do I get through this program?

• One of the benefits of this program is that USNH students, faculty, and staff are entitled to the latest version of Microsoft Office. By utilizing the Office 365 license, you never have to worry about upgrading to a new version of Office. Your Office applications will gradually get new features and updates over time, eliminating the need to "re-learn" the products after major version upgrades.

  The Office 365 license include:

  • Windows users get: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Publisher, OneNote
  • Mac users get: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote

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How long does the subscription last?

• The subscription ends upon 30 days of separation from the university.

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How does the subscription track whether or not I am still currently UNH-affiliated?

• During the installation process, enter your USNH credentials. The application checks in with USNH servers every 30 days to ensure compliance. This is done in the background and generally should not interrupt your work. Occasionally, you may be asked to input your credentials again, especially after long periods of not using the software.

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Anything else I should know? 

• When saving files that you create or modify in Microsoft Office, be aware of your save location. There are several choices, including a default save location of OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online. Please note that some advanced collaboration features in Office 365 require the file being stored in either OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online to utilize.

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Sounds great! How do I get it?

• Browse to Microsoft Licensing: Installing Microsoft Office.

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Further Readings

Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise 

Need additional help?

For additional Training please visit the Teaching & Learning Technologies Training site. 

To submit a support request, please fill out the Microsoft 365 Support webform with as much detail as possible, or contact the ET&S Help Desk team on your local campus. For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.