Stephen elop microsoft excel

Microsoft is preparing web versions of some of its most popular programs.

In 2009 web versions of Word, Excel and other programs in the Microsoft Office suite plus Exchange and Sharepoint will go online.

Users will be able to get at the programs via a web browser rather than install them on a PC.

Some versions of the programs are expected to be free to use provided users are happy to view adverts alongside the software.

"We expect fully that the full range of Office utilities, from the most advanced to simpler lightweight versions, will be available with a range of options: ad-funded, subscriptions-based, traditional licensing fees, and so forth," Stephen Elop, head of Microsoft's business division told the Reuters newswire.

The decision by Microsoft marks a significant change by the software giant which, before now, has only dabbled in web-based versions Stephen Elop: Web 2.0 Expo - Stories - news.microsoft.com QOFU