Microsoft 365 FAQ

What is Microsoft 365 ?

Microsoft 365 is a communication and collaboration service hosted by Microsoft. The applications supporting these services and data are hosted in data-centers owned and managed by Microsoft. Microsoft 365 gives users a rich and familiar access to Office Online and OneDrive.

Is Microsoft 365 available for Mac?

Yes. The Microsoft 365 ProPlus offering that is available on your WebStore is compatible with PC and Mac.

Can I install Microsoft 365 on more than one computer?

Yes. You can install Microsoft 365 on up to five computers (any combination of PC and/or Mac). You are also permitted five installations on mobile devices (any combination of Android and/or iOS).

I already have Microsoft Office. Do I need Microsoft 365?

In many cases, Microsoft 365 can be installed alongside existing versions of Microsoft Office. For more information, please refer to this support page.

What happens when my Microsoft 365 subscription expires?

On the day your subscription expires: You will receive an email notifying you of the expiration and advising you to renew if you are still eligible (i.e. if you are still a student at the school you were enrolled in when you ordered Microsoft 365). Your account will remain active and fully functional for a grace period of seven days*.

Seven days* after your subscription expires:  Your account enters Reduced Functionality Mode. The program remains installed on your computer, but you are only able to view and print your documents (features required to create/edit documents are disabled). If you renew within 30 days, your account is reactivated and you regain full Microsoft 365 functionality.

30 days after your account enters Reduced Functionality Mode: Your account is permanently deleted, along with any files you had stored on OneDrive.

Is Microsoft 365 desktop or web-based software?

Both. Your subscription allows you to download the full desktop versions of the latest Office software. It also entitles you to use the Office Online suite of products, which are web-based. So whether you’re at home or on the go, with or without an internet connection, you will have access to the Office software you need for as long as your subscription remains valid.

What is our official email service?

Google Mail is our official UA Little Rock email service.

Can I use Microsoft Outlook to access my email?

NO, you can’t use Outlook to access your UA Little Rock email. You must use a web-browser or the Google Gmail app.

What is the difference between OneDrive and Google Drive?

OneDrive and Google Drive are similar services. Click here for a visual of these two services. UA Little Rock does not officially support/administer OneDrive accounts, so your best form of collaboration with your peers at UA Little Rock will continue to be Google.

Is Internet access required for Office?

Internet access is required to install and activate all the latest releases of Office suites and all Microsoft 365 subscription plans. For Microsoft 365 plans, Internet access is also needed to manage your subscription account, for example to install Office on other PCs. Internet access is also required to access documents stored on OneDrive, unless you install the OneDrive desktop app. You should also connect to the Internet regularly to keep your version of Office up to date and benefit from automatic upgrades. If you do not connect to the Internet at least every 39 days, your applications will go into reduced functionality mode, which means that you can view or print your documents, but cannot edit the documents or create new ones. To reactivate your Office applications, reconnect to the Internet. You do not need to be connected to the Internet to use the Office applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, because the applications are fully installed on your computer.

What are the eligibility requirements for Microsoft 365 ?

All students currently registered for classes or attending classes are eligible for Microsoft 365. All benefits-eligible employees are eligible for Microsoft 365 on their personal computers.

What does “cloud-based” and“in the cloud” mean?

Cloud computing, or being “in the cloud,” means that a third-party (such as Microsoft and Google) provides the applications via the Internet and stores the data on their servers.

Is my information safe “in the cloud”?

Multiple copies of your data are stored for redundancy purposes. The data is encrypted when accessed from the server. The end result is an online service that has the equivalent reliability and security as an on-campus server.

I'm an employee. Can I use Microsoft 365 on my university-owned computer?

No – faculty and staff should not use Microsoft 365 on their work computers. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock already provides a desktop version of Microsoft Office on all university-owned computers. Microsoft 365 is strictly to be used by faculty and staff on their personally-owned computers. Microsoft 365 Pro Plus is NOT a replacement for your desktop version of the Microsoft Office suite on university-owned equipment.

What is included with Microsoft 365?

Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive.

Does Microsoft 365 provide full access to the iPad version of office now?

Yes, but it requires IOS 7.1 or later.

I am having trouble installing the software I downloaded. Can you help?

Yes, we can help with your Office installation.  Please contact the IT Services Assistance Center by dialing 501-916-3011, by e-mail at itservices-help@ualr.edu or by using our Self-Service Portal