But it was typically behind its Windows cousin in features, and was on a different update cycle from Office for Windows.

Until roughly two years ago, Microsoft had deployed a separate, independent, Apple-focused team to handle Office for Mac, with development help from Apple, and the product had a Mac look and feel. For many years - even when the rivalry between the two companies was at its hottest - Microsoft has produced a native version of its Office suite for Apple’s Macintosh computers, something Apple has welcomed.