Microsoft has quietly ported its unified Office app to the iPad, one year to the week after it was released for the iPhone. What took so long?

We don’t know, and Microsoft isn’t saying: In fact, there isn’t even an official announcement of the release as I write this. But it appears to look and work exactly like the iPhone (and Android) versions, and t offers integrated versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. But it’s tailored for the larger screens available across Apple’s iPad lineup, and it supports dark mode if you’re using that.

“Office is now available on iPad,” the listing for the new version of the Office app notes. “We’re combining the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps you know into a single, iPadOS-optimized app. Plus, you’ll see additional tools to keep you more productive than ever. For example, you’ll be able to quickly create and sign PDFs, and transform pictures into documents.”

Of course, one of the things users need to deal with when they access Microsoft’s mobile productivity apps is licensing. Those with Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or commercial subscriptions will get full access to the Office app’s functionality regardless of which type of iPad they have. But those with an iPad Mini, iPad, or iPad Air can make light edits and read documents without a subscription. Those with an iPad Pro can only read documents without a subscription.

You can find Office for iPad (and iPhone) in the Apple App Store.

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