Microsoft is rolling out a new build of the Office suite of apps to Insiders enrolled in the Monthly Channel (Targeted) on Windows, bringing the apps up to version 11629.20196. This version includes features previously released to the Fast ring, such as improved link handling for Office files and the ability to use ink in Outlook messages.
There are more features on the way to the apps, though, including more than 300 new icons that can now be used across the suite of apps, including accessibility-oriented ones and many more. They can be added via Insert -> Icons. Microsoft has also improved the integration between Filled Maps Charts and Geographic data types, including a new capability to map city polygons.
As for app-specific improvements, Word has a new feature called Rewrite, which does what you'd expect. You can select a phrase or expression in your documents, and Word will suggest alternative ways to express the same idea.
Meanwhile, in addition to inking, Outlook also now supports the ability to switch between light and dark modes in the reading pane, similarly to how the Mail and Calendar app for Windows 10 does it. Plus, you can now get results for your searches even if you misspell words in the search bar, with Outlook compensating for typos you might have in your writing.
The update should now be available to Insiders in the Monthly Channel, but the features should make their way to all users sooner rather than later.
