Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) subscribers can open Microsoft apps on a Chromebook, even though the hardware in those computers typically isn't powerful enough to run the programs alone. The workaround is to use Office Online apps to create and edit Office files in the Chrome OS browser.
Install Microsoft 365 on Chromebook
First, install Office Online from the Chrome Web Store. This extension gives you quick access to open existing Office files stored locally or on OneDrive. It also lets you create new Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files from within the Chrome browser.
You can also go to Office.com and sign in with your Microsoft 365 account. You can access Office Online apps from your browser. Microsoft offers these apps in the Chrome Web Store, in addition to Microsoft Sway:
Not every app will appear in the Office Online app list. For example, Skype requires a full install to work and does not work in the Chromebook browser. Conversely, Sway is an Office Online app only in the Chromebook browser.
